Oven-Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders at the Table

oven-baked parmesan chicken tenders with fries

Get ready to fall in love with these Parmesan Chicken Tenders! Coated in crunchy panko breading and baked to golden, tender perfection, they’re bursting with flavor and sure to be a hit with the whole family. Enjoy them as a tasty snack or team them up with your go-to sides for a complete, mouthwatering meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s nothing guaranteed to please a crowd quite like a fresh batch of chicken tenders. However, this recipe takes the standard version to the next level. There’s a reason why it’s one of our faves!

Baked instead of fried
Made with simple ingredients and warm spices
Great to make ahead of time
Kid-friendly and reliable for pairing with all your go-to sides

raw chicken being coated with breadcrumbs

raw panko breaded chicken tenders on a baking sheet

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients needed for these oven-baked Parmesan chicken tenders are what you’d expect from a chicken recipe. However, we took the traditional version up a notch with the addition of savory spices for a bold flavor that will have your guests licking their fingers and begging for more!

Chicken – For simple preparation, we recommend buying already sliced chicken tenders. Or, you could opt for breasts and use a sharp knife to slice them into thin tenders.
Breadcrumbs – We kept things simple with a Panko breadcrumb coating, but any breadcrumbs you like finest can be used. If needed, opt for gluten-free varieties.
Parmesan Cheese – This adds extra flavor to the chicken, making it out-of-this-world tasty.
Flour – Regular all-purpose chicken is used to coat the chicken and create the crisp breading we all love. If preferred, a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour can be used in its place.
Eggs – These are crucial for the breading to stick.
Seasonings – A combination of salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder makes for the finest bold, savory flavor.

oven-baked parmesan chicken tenders on a baking sheet

How to Make Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Creating your own chicken tenders at home might seem intimidating, but it’s actually really simple to do!

Prepare the Breading. Create a dredging station with 3 separate plates. On the first, add the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan in another. Finally, pour the whisked eggs onto another, making sure they don’t spill over.
Bread the Chicken. Season the chicken with the remaining salt and pepper. Then, dip them in the flour mixture, making sure they’re completely coated. Shake off any excess, and dip the tenders into the whisked egg. Finally, roll it in the panko mixture, and set aside. Repeat this step until all of the chicken has been coated.
Bake. Arrange the chicken tenders in an even layer on a greased baking sheet. Then, spray them generously with oil spray. Bake until they’re golden brown and cooked all the way through, flipping halfway through baking.

a breaded chicken tender being dipped into honey mustard sauce

Serving Suggestions

Of course, when it comes to Parmesan chicken tenders, you can’t forget the sauce! Pair your chicken with all your go-to dipping options like ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue, or ranch. Then, to make it a complete meal, serve them up with all your go-to sides! Some of our favorites include:

How to Store

Reliable for meal prep, these Parmesan chicken tenders are great to make ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer! Just follow the storage tips below to keep them fresh.

Refrigerator: Once baked and fully cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container or sealable bag, and store them in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.

Freezer: Let your chicken cool completely. Then, place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until they’re solid. Transfer the chicken to a sealable bag, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Feel free to warm your chicken straight from frozen using the oven. Or, let them thaw completely, and pop them in the microwave for a minute or two until your desired temperature is reached.

Parmesan Chicken Tenders Common Questions

How do you keep oven-baked chicken tenders juicy?

It’s all about timing and coating. A speedy bake at a high temp locks in moisture, and the breadcrumb-parmesan crust acts like a flavor shield to keep everything tender inside.

Can you use grated or shredded Parmesan for chicken tenders?

You can use either, but finely grated parmesan mixes into the breading more evenly and gives a crispier finish. Shredded works too—it just gives you a little more texture and a cheesier bite here and there.

What does parmesan do in chicken tenders?

Parmesan adds a salty, nutty boost to the coating—and helps it crisp up like a champ in the oven. It gives the tenders that extra layer of flavor that makes them stand out from the usual chicken-and-breadcrumb combo.

Can you make them gluten-free?

Yes! Swap in your go-to gluten-free breadcrumbs and make sure your parmesan and seasonings are GF-friendly. You’ll still get all the flavor and crunch, just without the gluten.

More Tasty Chicken Recipes

Want more tantalizing chicken recipes as tasty as this dish? Check out these chicken-based meals that are bound to knock your socks off!

chicken tenders on a baking tray with fries

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 5 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins

Coated in a crisp panko breading and baked to golden, tender perfection, these Parmesan Chicken Tenders are a flavorful, family-friendly recipe everyone will love! Serve them on their own as a satisfying snack or paired with all your go-to sides for a complete meal. Email

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt divided
1 teaspoon black pepper divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 cup Panko Japanese breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
2 large eggs whisked
1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking dish, and set aside.
Make a dredging station with 3 separate shallow plates. On the first plate, add the flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. On the second plate, add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. On the third plate, carefully add the whisked eggs.3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 cup Panko Japanese breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 large eggs
Season the chicken tenders with the remaining salt and pepper. Coat the tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip them into the eggs, coating completely. Then, coat the chicken with the Panko and Parmesan mixture. Set aside. Repeat until all the chicken has been coated.1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking dish. Spray the tenders with spray.Cooking spray
Bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through. Serve with condiments of choice.
Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.