Description
Crispy and flavorful baked garlic parmesan chicken tenders coated in a seasoned panko breadcrumb crust, finished with garlic butter and freshly grated parmesan. Served with a fresh cos lettuce salad, tangy dipping sauce, and your choice of crispy fries, this recipe delivers a deliciously satisfying meal in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup (125 g) mayonnaise
- ⅓ 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
Chicken
- 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) chicken tenderloins (mini fillets) or sliced boneless, skinless breast
- Olive oil spray (for cooking)
Garlic Butter Finish
- 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
Sides & Garnish
- Air fryer chips, crispy oven fries or freezer fries
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or air fryer – For oven cooking, preheat to 220°C (425°F) (200°C fan/400°F fan-forced) and allow to heat for 10–15 minutes to ensure it’s 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, combine mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt or sour cream, freshly minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, chopped chives, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Prepare the crumb – In a shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, sweet paprika, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Place the flour and whisked eggs each in separate shallow bowls.
- Coat the chicken – Dust each chicken tender or breast slice lightly with flour, then dip into the whisked eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture pressing firmly so the crumbs adhere well.
- Bake or air fry – For oven: Arrange chicken on a lightly oiled rack set over a tray or directly on a heavy tray sprayed with oil, spacing evenly. Spray tops with olive oil spray. Bake for 16–18 minutes, flipping once halfway and spraying again, until golden and cooked through. Avoid exceeding 22 minutes to prevent drying out. For air fryer: Spray basket with oil, place chicken in a single layer, spray tops with oil evenly. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until crisp and golden, not exceeding 18 minutes to keep moist.
- Make the garlic butter – In a small bowl, mix melted unsalted butter with freshly minced garlic, sea salt flakes, and chopped flat-leaf parsley until combined.
- Finish the chicken – Immediately after cooking, brush the hot chicken tenders generously with garlic butter, then sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan. The residual heat will slightly melt the cheese creating a flavorful crust.
- Make the cos salad – Toss the romaine lettuce strips with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper just before serving to keep it crisp and fresh.
- Serve – Plate the garlic parmesan chicken tenders alongside the fresh cos salad and your choice of air fryer chips, crispy oven fries, or freezer fries. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with the prepared dipping sauce for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated for crispier chicken tenders when baking.
- Do not overcook the chicken tenders to prevent them from drying out; follow the recommended times closely.
- The garlic butter and parmesan topping add richness and depth of flavor; apply immediately after cooking for best results.
- Use fresh herbs and freshly grated parmesan for enhanced flavor.
- Serve immediately after assembly to enjoy maximum crispness of the coating and freshness of the salad.
- Can be adapted for air fryer or oven cooking depending on preference and equipment availability.
