Description
This Easy Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe offers a flavorful and crispy chicken tenderloin dish, coated in a seasoned panko crust and baked to golden perfection. Served with a creamy garlic dipping sauce, a fresh cos lettuce salad, and crispy fries, it’s a complete meal that’s simple to prepare and perfect for a family dinner or casual get-together.
Ingredients
Scale
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup (125 g) mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup (90 g) Greek yoghurt or sour cream
- ½ tsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Crumb Coating
- 1½ cups (90 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ cup (75 g) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 2 eggs, whisked
Main
- 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) chicken tenderloins (mini fillets) or sliced boneless, skinless breast
- Olive oil spray (for cooking)
Garlic Butter
- 50 g (1¾ oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Topping & Salad
- ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated parmesan (for sprinkling after baking)
- 1 large cos (romaine) lettuce, cut into strips
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
To Serve
- Air fryer chips, crispy oven fries or freezer fries
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or air fryer – Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C fan/400°F fan-forced) and allow it to heat fully for 10–15 minutes for crisp results. Alternatively, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- Make the dipping sauce – In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt or sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped parsley, chives, sea salt flakes, and cracked black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the crumb – In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the flour and whisked eggs in separate bowls for the breading process.
- Coat the chicken – Dust each chicken tenderloin piece in flour first, then dip into the whisked eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so the crumb sticks well.
- Bake or air fry – For the oven: Arrange coated chicken tenders on a lightly oiled rack over a tray or on a sprayed heavy tray, ensuring even spacing. Spray tops with olive oil spray and bake for 16–18 minutes, flipping once halfway through and spraying with oil again, until golden and cooked through. Avoid baking longer than 22 minutes to prevent drying out. For the air fryer: Spray the basket with oil, arrange chicken in a single layer, and spray tops with oil. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, spraying with oil again, until crisp and golden. Do not exceed 18 minutes to avoid dryness.
- Make the garlic butter – In a small bowl, combine melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, sea salt flakes, and chopped parsley.
- Finish the chicken – Once cooked and golden, generously brush the chicken tenders with the garlic butter mixture. Immediately sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over the hot tenders so it slightly melts and adheres to the coating.
- Make the cos salad – Just before serving, toss the cos lettuce strips with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt flakes, and cracked black pepper for a fresh, zesty salad.
- Serve – Plate the garlic parmesan chicken tenders alongside the dipping sauce, fresh cos salad, your choice of crispy fries (air fryer chips, oven fries or freezer fries), and garnish with lemon wedges to squeeze over for added brightness.
Notes
- For crispy chicken tenders, ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking.
- Do not overcook the chicken to prevent it from drying out; monitor carefully during baking or air frying.
- Using an oil spray helps achieve an even, light crust without excess oil.
- Freshly grated parmesan added immediately after cooking melts perfectly for enhanced flavor.
- Alternative cooking methods like air frying offer a quicker cooking time and similar crispiness.
- Substitute chicken breast if tenderloins are unavailable, slicing into strips as needed.
- The dipping sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for convenience.
- This recipe pairs well with fresh salads and fries for a complete meal.
