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Delicious chicken tenders breaded in a garlic parmesan panko mixture and baked to crispy perfection! This is a meal the entire family will love!

My kids love chicken! Simple recipes like this one and my chicken tender recipe is perfect for those quick lunch meals or a snack for after school.

Chicken tender being dipped in a honey mustard sauce.

Homemade Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders

We are a huge fan of chicken tenders and breaded chicken for our family.

The "special ingredient" in these tenders is the Panko. Instead of breadcrumbs or just flour I use panko. Panko is generally used in Japanese cooking and it can be found in the grocery store in the Asian foods aisle. I definitely prefer panko to regular breadcrumbs because of its lighter and more delicate texture. It results in a more crispy and crunchy end product than breadcrumbs. Especially when you are baking chicken instead of frying; the panko makes a huge difference!

To try our absolute FAVORITE dipping sauce for these tenders, click here to check that out! 🙂

Chicken Tenders Ingredients:

  • Chicken Tenders: Boneless chicken breasts are easiest to trim and prepare.
  • White Flour: This coasts the chicken.
  • Salt and Pepper: Seasoning and for taste
  • Olive Oil: Creates a crispy outside when baked.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic is best and adds flavor.
  • Basil: Dried basil brings a subtle seasoning everyone loves.
  • Paprika:If you love a little spice add this to your tenders.
  • Panko:Gives it the breaded thickness and crunch on the outside.
  • Parmesan Cheese: MMM! Cheese is the best on these chicken tenders.
  • Fry Sauce:My famous fry sauce is delicious and dip-able. SO good!

How to Make Chicken Tenders:

  1. Prepare chicken:Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the fat from the tenders.
  2. Dip chicken: Set out three bowls. Fill one with the white flour, about ¼ teaspoon pepper, & about ½ teaspoon salt. Stir,
  3. Stir together: Fill the next bowl with the olive oil or butter and minced garlic.
  4. Add seasoning:Place the basil, paprika, Panko, and parmesan cheese in the last. Stir. Place the tenders in the flour mixture, then the garlic oil, then the panko mixture making sure to evenly and thoroughly coat each piece.
  5. Cook chicken tenders:Place the tenders on the sheet and then place in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes and then flip the tenders and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
  6. Serve:Remove and enjoy immediately with the dipping sauce!

Chicken tenders being put in flour, then a buttery oil mixtures and lastly added to a panko and parmesan mixture then placed on a baking sheet.

Dipping Sauces:

We love to dip our chicken tenders into every type of sauce. I personally love rich and creamy sauces where my kids love the sweet and spicy sauces. It is so fun to mix and match sauces too and create new favorites. I found this seasoned honey mustard sauce in the photos at our local grocery store near the deli section. So fun!

Here are a few of our favorites to eat with these chicken tenders.

  • Ketchup: Always a classic
  • Honey Mustard: A little sweet and tangy
  • Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce: A hint of spice but rich and smooth.
  • Fry Sauce: Family favorite and a MUST make
  • Ranch Dressing: Creamy and a kid favorite

How to Store:

These are perfect for storing and last in the refrigerator or freezer for a good amount of time. Then when ready simply reheat for lunch or snacks when needed.

  • Refrigerator:Once they are cooled completely, place in a ziplock bag and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days long. It is best to warm up in the oven but the microwave will do too.
  • Freeze: After they are cooled place on a sheet pan in a freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes. Once frozen, place in a ziplock bag or freezer bag and store in the freezer for 3 months. Taking out chicken when needed and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Chicken tenders on a baking sheet with honey mustard sauce.

More Chicken Recipes:

  • Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Chicken Adobo
  • Oven Fried Chicken
  • Best Bourbon Chicken
  • Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken tenders in a basket with honey mustard sauce.

!Chicken

  • 1 ¼ pounds chicken tenders boneless skinless
  • 1/2 cup white flour
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup Panko
  • 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • Famous Fry Sauce

  • Trim the fat from the tenders.

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Set out three bowls. Fill one with the white flour, about ¼ teaspoon pepper, & about ½ teaspoon salt. Stir,

  • Fill the next bowl with the olive oil or butter and minced garlic. Stir.

  • Place the basil, paprika, Panko, and parmesan cheese in the last. Stir.

  • Place the tenders in the flour mixture, then the garlic oil, then the panko mixture making sure to evenly and thoroughly coat each piece.

  • Place the tenders on the sheet and then place in the oven.

  • Cook for 15 minutes and then flip the tenders and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

  • Remove and enjoy immediately with the dipping sauce!

Updated on March 18, 2020

Originally Published on June 22, 2016

Serves: 6

Calories 357 kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 16 g (5%) Protein 27 g (54%) Fat 20 g (31%) Saturated Fat 4 g (20%) Cholesterol 68 mg (23%) Sodium 362 mg (15%) Potassium 401 mg (11%) Fiber 1 g (4%) Sugar 1 g (1%) Vitamin A 156 IU (3%) Vitamin C 2 mg (2%) Calcium 163 mg (16%) Iron 2 mg (11%)

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken tenders, garlic parmesan chicken tenders


Alyssa Rivers

I am Alyssa and the blogger behind The Recipe Critic. I started my blog in June of 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family.

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