Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Easy to Make and Easy to Clean Up
Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders are an easy dinner that bakes up quickly in the oven. Grated Parmesan, butter, pancake mix ,and some seasonings and herbs make these tenders crispy and flavorful. This recipe is so good, it will become a regular in your meal routine.
Chicken Tenders Make Everyone Happy
As much as I love to cook even, I get tired of thinking of things to make for dinner. I have mentioned before that I hate eating leftovers, so inevitably,I have to think of something different to make for dinner almost every single night.
Some nights I make more complicated meals but I do have a litany of quick and easy recipes that grown ups and kids both love. These Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders are one of those quick and easy recipes.
Mister Tipsy and I love them and the kids I used to cook for loved them too. These are great to make ahead on the weekend and you can reheat them during the week for lunch and dinner.
These Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders are also great in a wrap or on top of a salad.
A Lower Fat Alternative
There is a lot of butter in this recipe, but do not let this shock you. If you do not want to use as much butter, you can omit the butter completely and use a non stick spray before placing the chicken on the sheet pan.
I also grate my cheese for this recipe myself but you can take a shortcut and buy already grated cheese. You just want to make sure that you use more of a finely grated Parmesan and not the one that is shredded. The powdered cheese sticks better to the chicken for baking.
A Secret Chicken Tender Ingredient
The surprise ingredient in this recipe is powdered pancake mix! The pancake mix adds a sweet layer of flavor to this savory dish.
You will notice this calls for complete pancake mix. This means that the mix has the eggs and milk already in it in powder form as opposed to the type that you need to add eggs and milk to.
If you decide to grate your own cheese, save that rind and toss it into a soup, tomato sauce or stew while its simmering on the stove. This adds a great layer of flavor!
What I like about this recipe is that it feeds a lot of people, at least 6, and it requires very few ingredients. If you have a decent stocked pantry this recipe should only cost you around $15 to make.
This recipe also takes only minutes to prepare. You just need to set up a little breading station and prep will be a breeze.
Here are the ingredients that you will need to make these Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders.
Ingredients:
- 12 Raw Chicken Tenders, I used two packages from my butcher
- 1 C of Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Stick of Butter
- 2 Eggs
- 1 C of Complete Pancake Mix
- Garlic Salt
- Black Pepper
- Dried Minced Onion
*I do not like to give measurements for spices and salt because everyone prefers a different level of spice and salt. Start with a teaspoon, taste and see if you would like to add more.
The steps for this are really quick and easy.
Before you start making this recipe, set yourself up with a station. Have two bowls set out, one for the dry mix and one for the eggs, and then also have your pan nearby to put the chicken tenders on. I use a foil lined cookie sheet that I spray with non stick spray.
Instructions:
- Grate your cheese and add it to a bowl with the pancake mix.
- Add your garlic salt, minced onion, and black pepper. Give it all a stir.
- Pat your chicken tenders dry with a paper towel.
- Whisk two eggs until they are light and fluffy.
- Heat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Start breading your chicken tenders by dipping them in the egg, adding them to the dry mix, press each tender down, flip and repeat the same on the other side.
- Spread the tenders out on the cookie sheet.
- Melt the stick of butter in the microwave and pour the butter over the chicken tenders.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, flipping over gently halfway through cooking.
- Every oven is different so make sure to check that your tenders are brown and crispy on the outside and cooked all the way through. They may need a little less or a little more than 35 minutes.
- Remove the tenders from the oven and let cool on the pan for 10 minutes before serving.
I served my tenders with my favorite Open Pit Brand BBQ Sauce and some Mikes Hot Honey. Use your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese!
When to Eat Chicken Tenders
Is there a wrong time to eat chicken tenders? Maybe breakfast is a stretch but the could potentially pair well with eggs. Is it weird to eat chicken and eggs together? It’s like an entire lifecycle!
Regardless, these tenders make a great lunch or a dinner. Pair them up with mashed potatoes, french fries, or a salad. I made mashed sweet potatoes with maple butter.
You can store these in your fridge for up to 5 days. They make a great salad or wrap if they are diced up.
You can also reheat them for a quick lunch for the kids.
Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders are an easy dinner that bakes up quickly in the oven. Grated Parmesan, Butter, Pancake Mix and some seasonings and herbs make these tenders crispy and flavorful. This recipe is so good, it will become a regular in your meal routine.
Ingredients
- 12 Raw Chicken Tenders, I used two packages from my butcher
- 1 C of Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Stick of Butter
- 2 Eggs
- 1 C of Complete Pancake Mix
- Garlic Salt
- Black Pepper
- Dried Minced Onion
Instructions
- Grate your cheese and add it to a bowl with the pancake mix.
- Add your garlic salt, minced onion and black pepper, give it all a stir.
- Pat your chicken tenders dry with a paper towel.
- Whisk two eggs until they are light and fluffy.
- Heat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Start breading your chicken tenders by dipping them in the egg, adding them to the dry mix, press each tender down, flip and repeat the same on the other side.
- Spread the tenders out on the cookie sheet.
- Melt the stick of butter in the microwave and pour the butter over the chicken tenders.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, flipping over gently halfway through cooking.
- Every oven is different so make sure to check that your tenders are brown and crispy on the outside and cooked all the way through. They may need a little less or a little more than 35 minutes.
- Remove the tenders from the oven and let cool on the pan for 10 minutes before serving.
I know that you will love this recipe as much as we do. I have a feeling once you make it, it will become a part of your weekly routine!
If you make them, take a picture and post it on social media! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @thetipsyhousewife or on Facebook @tipsywife. If you want to save this recipe for later, PIN IT! Follow me on Pinterest!
Thank you for reading and happy eating!
Love, Tipsy
For other great recipes check out my blog!
