Crispy Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders make a flavorful weeknight meal that the entire family will enjoy. Chicken strips are breaded with crispy panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and herbs, then baked in the oven.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, add your bread crumbs and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Remove from heat and pour into a shallow bowl (see step 4), and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Slice your chicken breasts into thin, 1 inch pieces, trimming off excess fat. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel.
For the next step, you'll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add your flour, half of the salt, half of the pepper, and garlic powder. Stir to combine. In the second bowl, add your eggs and whisk. In the third bowl, add your toasted bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, half of the salt, half of the pepper, and the Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
One at a time, toss each chicken piece in the flour mixture, lightly shaking to remove any excess. Next, dip your chicken tender in the egg mixture. Last, toss your chicken tender in the bread crumb mixture, lightly pressing to adhere the mixture to your chicken. Shake to remove any excess, then lay onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Freezer Directions
After breading your chicken tenders (before baking), place on a lined baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until frozen solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe plastic bag or container, tightly seal, and store for up to 3 months.
To bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees, place frozen chicken tenders on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for 17-19 minutes, or until cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Notes
Panko bread crumbs can be substituted with regular bread crumbs.
If omitting the parmesan cheese, replace with more bread crumbs.
Store bought Italian seasoning, or your own homemade version may be used.
Baking times will vary based on the thickness of your chicken. I suggest using an instant read thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the center.