Description
This Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe offers crispy, golden chicken coated in a flavorful panko crust infused with garlic and paprika. It’s baked to perfection for a healthier alternative to fried chicken, then finished with a rich garlic butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Served alongside a zesty cos lettuce salad, homemade dipping sauce, and crispy fries, this meal is perfect for a family-friendly dinner that’s both indulgent and balanced.
Ingredients
Scale
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup (125 g) mayonnaise
- â…“ 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
Chicken 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
- 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) chicken tenderloins (mini fillets) or sliced boneless, skinless breast
- Olive oil spray (for cooking)
Garlic Butter Topping
- 50 g (1¾ oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated parmesan (for sprinkling after baking)
Cos Salad
- 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
Extras
- Air fryer chips, crispy oven fries or freezer fries
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or air fryer: For oven baking, preheat to 220°C (425°F) or 200°C fan (400°F fan-forced) and allow it to heat for 10–15 minutes to ensure the oven is fully hot for crisp results. For air frying, preheat to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt or sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped flat-leaf parsley, chopped chives, sea salt flakes, and cracked black pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the crumb: In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, sweet paprika, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Place the flour in a separate shallow bowl, and whisk the eggs in another separate bowl.
- Coat the chicken: Dust each piece of chicken tenderloin first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip into the whisked eggs, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
- Bake or air fry the chicken: For oven baking, arrange the coated chicken on a lightly oiled rack over a baking tray or on a heavy unlined tray sprayed with oil. Space the pieces evenly and spray the tops with olive oil. 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 dryness. For air frying, spray the basket with oil and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Spray tops with oil to ensure even coverage. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flip halfway, spraying again, until crisp and golden. Do not exceed 18 minutes cooking time.
- Make the garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter with freshly minced garlic, sea salt flakes, and chopped flat-leaf parsley.
- Finish the chicken: As soon as the chicken is cooked and golden, brush the pieces generously with the garlic butter mixture. Immediately sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese; the heat will slightly melt the cheese so it sticks to the coating.
- Make the cos salad: Just before serving, toss the romaine lettuce strips with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper until evenly coated.
- Serve: Present the baked garlic Parmesan chicken tenders with the dipping sauce on the side, alongside the cos salad, crispy fries (air fryer chips or oven fries), and lemon wedges for squeezing over.
Notes
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated for extra crispy chicken tenders.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Press breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken for better coating adhesion.
- Choose either oven baking or air frying based on your equipment and preference; both methods yield crispy results.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the crispy texture and melty Parmesan topping.
- The garlic butter adds rich flavor but can be adjusted or omitted for a lighter version.
