Irresistible Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders Recipe
This Irresistible Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on classic chicken tenders. Coated with a savory mix of Parmesan cheese, garlic, and zesty lemon juice, these tender strips are baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, they combine tangy brightness with rich cheesy goodness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Bread Crumb Coating
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt
Other
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking dish by spraying it lightly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into tender-sized strips. Season them generously on all sides with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Mix the Coating: In a bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. This mixture creates a crunchy, flavorful coating for the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Drizzle the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the seasoned chicken strips, then thoroughly coat each strip in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Bake the Tenders: Arrange the coated chicken strips on the prepared baking dish without overlapping. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Once baked, optionally drizzle additional lemon juice over the chicken tenders for an extra burst of citrus flavor, then serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the coated chicken tenders with nonstick cooking spray before baking.
- Ensure chicken strips are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- Can be served with a side of ranch or garlic aioli for dipping.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 4-5 tenders)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: lemon garlic chicken tenders, parmesan chicken, baked chicken tenders, easy chicken recipe, crispy chicken tenders
