Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are the perfect combination of crispy coating, juicy chicken, and rich garlic butter flavor. This easy, family-friendly recipe delivers golden, crunchy tenders without deep frying, making it a healthier yet satisfying option for weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These baked chicken tenders are packed with flavor and incredibly simple to prepare. The crispy panko coating gives that perfect crunch, while the garlic butter and parmesan add a rich, savory finish. They’re oven-baked or air-fried, making them lighter, and they pair beautifully with fries, salad, or your favorite dipping sauce. Great for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Creamy Garlic and Herb Dipping Sauce
- 125 g mayonnaise
- 90 g Greek yoghurt or sour cream
- ½ tsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Chicken
- 90 g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 75 g all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 600 g chicken tenderloins
- Olive oil spray
Garlic Butter
- 50 g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 25 g grated parmesan
Cos (Romaine) Salad
- 1 romaine lettuce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
To Serve
- Fries
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F) or air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- In a bowl, mix all dipping sauce ingredients until smooth and set aside.
- Combine panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Place flour and eggs in separate bowls.
- Coat chicken by dipping in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing firmly.
- Arrange on a tray or air fryer basket and spray lightly with oil.
- Bake for 16–18 minutes (flip halfway) or air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- Mix garlic butter ingredients in a bowl.
- Brush cooked Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders with garlic butter and sprinkle parmesan on top.
- Toss salad ingredients together.
- Serve hot with dipping sauce, fries, and lemon wedges.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a wire rack when baking for extra crispiness
- Do not overcrowd the tray or air fryer
- Press breadcrumbs firmly for better coating
- Add chili flakes for a spicy twist
- Substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream if preferred
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking / Air Frying
- Cuisine: Western
- Difficulty: Easy
- Diet: Halal-friendly
Notes
- You can use chicken breast sliced into strips if tenderloins are unavailable
- Serve with mashed potatoes or rice instead of fries for variation
- Add extra parmesan for a cheesier finish
Nutrition (Approximate)
- Calories: 420 per serving
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 28 g
- Fat: 22 g
FAQ
Can I make Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders ahead of time?
Yes, you can bread the chicken and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Can I freeze these chicken tenders?
Yes, freeze them before or after cooking for up to 2 months.
How do I make them extra crispy?
Use panko breadcrumbs and spray generously with oil before baking.
Can I use an air fryer instead of the oven?
Absolutely, air frying gives even crispier results in less time.
What can I serve with these tenders?
Fries, salads, roasted vegetables, or wraps work great.
Storage
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freeze for up to 2 months
- Reheat in oven or air fryer at 180°C until warm and crispy
Similar Recipes
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Creamy Garlic and Herb Dipping Sauce
- 125 g mayonnaise
- 90 g Greek yoghurt or sour cream
- ½ tsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Chicken
- 90 g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 75 g all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs whisked
- 600 g chicken tenderloins
- Olive oil spray
Garlic Butter
- 50 g unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 25 g grated parmesan
Cos (Romaine) Salad
- 1 romaine lettuce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
To Serve
- Fries
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F) or air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- In a bowl, mix all dipping sauce ingredients until smooth and set aside.
- Combine panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Place flour and eggs in separate bowls.
- Coat chicken by dipping in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing firmly.
- Arrange on a tray or air fryer basket and spray lightly with oil.
- Bake for 16–18 minutes (flip halfway) or air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- Mix garlic butter ingredients in a bowl.
- Brush cooked Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders with garlic butter and sprinkle parmesan on top.
- Toss salad ingredients together.
- Serve hot with dipping sauce, fries, and lemon wedges.
Notes
- You can use chicken breast sliced into strips if tenderloins are unavailable
- Serve with mashed potatoes or rice instead of fries for variation
- Add extra parmesan for a cheesier finish
Conclusion
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are a simple yet flavorful meal that delivers crispiness without frying. Whether you cook them in the oven or air fryer, they come out golden, juicy, and full of garlic parmesan goodness. Perfect for busy nights or casual family meals.