Baked Chicken Tenders

These super crispy baked chicken tenders are breaded with two types of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to ensure a flavorful and crispy chicken tender. Below I share my go to tips to make sure the breading sticks to the tender! Serve with marinara sauce and fries or a side salad to complete the meal.

If you love easy chicken recipes, then you should try my Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake and my Chicken Katsu!

Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders on white tray with barbecue sauce for dipping

Baked Chicken Tenders

I like my chicken extra extra crispy. I decided to try to make my favorite chicken tenders in the oven instead of deep fried in oil. The outside of the chicken tenders are crunchy and golden brown. The inside is juicy and tender. These Crispy Parmesan chicken tenders taste just like fried chicken without all of the calories! At first glance it’s hard to tell these oven baked chicken tenders are not fried.

They are a quick and easy weeknight meal. Great for kids and adults alike. Who said healthy food can’t taste good?!

These baked breaded chicken tenders are perfect for a quick weeknight meal or as a snack / appetizer for game day.

These chicken tenders are super easy to make. They take less than 30 minutes start to finish!

Homemade baked chicken tender being dipped in barbecue sauce

Ingredients For Baked Chicken Tenders

  • Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins. You can also substitute chicken breast cut into strips.
  • All-purpose flour: Gives the egg and milk mixture something to stick to.
  • Eggs: Help to keep the breading onto the chicken.
  • Heavy cream or milk: Is added along with vinegar to help tenderize the chicken.
  • Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy, tart flavor to the chicken tenders.
  • Vinegar: Adds more tang and acidity.
  • Breadcrumbs: I like to do a combination of panko breadcrumbs and Italian breadcrumbs when breading anything. The panko gives the breading a light and airy texture while the Italian breadcrumbs add so much flavor and salt.
  • Parmesan cheese: Adds the perfect amount of saltiness to the chicken tenders.
  • Seasonings (paprika, garlic powder and onion powder, s + p)

How To Keep Breading From Falling Off Chicken

My trick for breading anything is to start with a super dry ingredient. That will help the breading adhere to the chicken breast and keep it from falling off.

This step is especially important when you are breading chicken which comes packed in water to add extra weight. Therefore I like to lay my chicken on a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. I place it in the fridge for 30 minutes or so while I am gathering up the rest of my ingredients. This helps to dry out the chicken. Next I dab both sides of the chicken tenderloins with multiple paper towels until the chicken is completely dry.

Chicken tenderloins drying out on a cooking sheet lined with a wire rack

How To Bake Chicken Tenders

  • To make the chicken tenders we start with a simple 3-step breading procedure: flour, egg mixture and the Parmesan-breadcrumbs mixture.

Three bowls filled with flour, egg and breadcrumb mixture for breading the chicken

  • Starting with the flour and ending with breadcrumbs, dip the chicken into the flour, egg and Parmesan breadcrumbs. Place the chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the chicken tenders with nonstick cooking spray. (This will help the chicken tenders get a golden brown color to them).

Unbaked breaded chicken tenderloins on a baking sheet lined with wire rack

  • Bake for 15-18 minutes or until an internal thermometer reaches 165 degrees. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces!

Baked chicken tenders on silver baking sheet with wire rack

Tips for Success

Authors hand dipping a chicken tender in barbecue sauce

What To Serve With Chicken Tenders

Storage Suggestions

  • Store leftover baked chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze cooked and cooled chicken tenders in an airtight, freezer-safe plastic bag or container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat from chilled or frozen in the oven on a rack at 375 to ensure they get crispy again, or (even better) in the air fryer!

Chicken tenders on white serving plate

More Chicken Recipes To Try

Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Super Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders breaded in Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. A quick 30 minute weeknight meal everyone will love!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken tenderloins or chicken breast, sliced into strips
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • olive oil for spraying chicken tenders

Instructions

Images:
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with a wire rack. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
    Add flour, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper to a small bowl.
    Add eggs, heavy cream, vinegar and dijon mustard to a small bowl.
    Add Italian breadcrumbs, panko, parmesan cheese, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder to another small bowl.
  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Starting with the flour and ending with breadcrumbs, dip the chicken into the flour, egg and Parmesan breadcrumbs.
    Place the chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the chicken tenders with nonstick cooking spray. (This will help the chicken tenders get a golden brown color to them).
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes or until an internal thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
    Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces!
Nutrition Facts
Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Amount per Serving
Calories
348
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
171
mg
57
%
Sodium
 
631
mg
27
%
Potassium
 
656
mg
19
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
41
g
82
%
Vitamin A
 
378
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
152
mg
15
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Breast Tenders, Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders, Easy Weeknight Dinner, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese

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Recipe Rating




Comments - page 1/2

  • Mira

    I’ve been craving chicken tenders lately! These look lovely Kelley! Wonderful flavors! Can’t wait to try them!

  • Sonali

    These look and sounds awesome! And of course I love that they’re baked and not fried 🙂

  • Erica

    Oh my gosh! Give me some of these with those sweet potato fries you just made! Perfection 🙂 Pinned!

  • Stacey

    These look great! I love my chicken tenders super crispy too, but it IS hard to get them that way in the oven, and I definitely prefer to not deep fry my chicken for a meal at home! So much healthier to bake it. These actually look really crispy so I will definitely be trying this recipe! Pinned!

  • Thalia

    I love chicken tenders.. especially ones that are as golden and crisp as these! Totally craving a couple of these to devour right now – just need to get my hands on some chicken so I can make the recipe!

  • Pamela

    You leave me in a dinner situation.. I had something planned but now all I want is these! 😉

  • Jess

    These chicken tenders look delicious! Love the fact they’re baked, but are still super crispy and delicious! And that parmesan coating sounds amazing!

  • karen

    Love this! I’m a super fan of chicken, and tenders is an amazing way to go! I actually made these last night with a touch of hot sauce, sooooo good!

    • Hi Karen,

      Glad you like them! I like hot sauce on my chicken tenders as well!

      Thanks,

      Kelley

  • linda Moore

    EVERYONE WAS TIRED OF THE SAME THING FOR DINNER SO i GOT THIS AND WE ARE TRYING IT TONIGHT. WILL LET YOU KNOW.

  • Sarah Rose

    I’ve made chicken tenders before and they were kinda bland but these were absolutely wonderful!! I love this recipe! Definitely will use again.

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