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A top-down view of Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders on a serving platter next to small bowls containing ranch dressing and ketchup

Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders

Skip the freezer aisle and ditch the deep fryer in favor of a family-friendly recipe for Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders that can be cooked in the oven or in an air fryer.
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 lbs uncooked chicken tenders
  • Cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place the flour in a second medium bowl. In a third medium bowl, whisk together the eggs.
  • Bread each chicken tender by dredging it in the flour, shaking off any excess, then adding it to the eggs, coating it on all sides and shaking off any excess. Transfer the chicken to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it onto the chicken on all sides. Place the chicken tender on the prepared baking sheet and repeat the breading process with the remaining tenders, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Spray the top of the chicken tenders lightly with cooking spray. (This is optional, but it leads to a more golden brown color and crunch.)

To bake the tenders in the oven:

  • Preheat the oven to 475°F.
  • Bake the chicken tenders, turning them once halfway through, until they’re cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and serve them with your preferred dipping sauces.

To cook the tenders in an air fryer:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Grease the basket lightly with cooking spray then transfer a portion of the tenders into the basket.
  • Air-fry the tenders, flipping them once halfway through, until they are cooked through, about 12 minutes. Remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your preferred dipping sauces.

Notes

  • After cooking chicken tenders in the oven, you can let the leftovers cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze, place the cooled tenders on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: For the crispiest results, I recommend reheating the chicken tenders in an air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. The next best option is to use your oven. Place the tenders on a baking sheet and reheat at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat them in the microwave, but the coating won't be as crispy.
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