Are you hunting for chicken tender recipes that combine simplicity with irresistible flavors? Look no further than these garlic parmesan chicken tenders.
Perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside with perfectly cooked chicken on the inside, this delicious recipe promises to be a busy weeknight dinner champion and a family favorite in no time.
Why You’ll Love Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Crispy Perfection: One of the undeniable joys of life (at least according to my kids) is crispy chicken tenders. Fried to golden perfection, every bite gives that satisfying crunch that means it’s a premium chicken recipe.
Dip & Dive: Whether it’s ranch, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce, these tenders pair great with just about anything.
Viral Recipe: Given their deliciousness, it’s no surprise versions of these chicken fingers are all over TikTok. Make sure to check out all our viral recipes here.
Simple Ingredients Needed:
- Buttermilk
- Pickle juice
- Chicken tenderloins
- All-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Melted butter
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Additional Seasoning blend ingredients are below
Herb and Spice Seasoning Blend for Perfect Chicken
- Garlic powder, Paprika, Salt, Black pepper, Lawry’s seasoning (or any seasoned salt), Onion powder, Cayenne pepper, garlic and herb seasoning. While I have not included pepper flakes in this recipe, they’re an excellent choice for a bit of heat at this stage.
Preparing the Chicken Marinade:
Combine the buttermilk, pickle juice, garlic powder, paprika, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk the mixture until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Add the chicken tenders to the bowl, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate while preparing the seasoned flour mixture.
Flour Mixture and Coating Chicken
In a separate large bowl, combine the following ingredients: all-purpose flour, Lawry’s seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, garlic and herb seasoning, and black pepper.
Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly blended.
Take the marinated chicken tenders and dredge the chicken in flour mixture one by one. Ensure each piece of chicken is generously and evenly coated on both sides.
Once coated, place each chicken tender on a wire rack. Allowing them to rest briefly helps the coating adhere better when frying.
Frying the Chicken Tenders:
In a large cast-iron skillet, pour vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 inches. Begin heating the oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot (but not smoking), carefully place a batch of chicken tenders into the skillet.
Fry the chicken tenders in a single layer until they develop a golden-brown hue on both sides, which should take approximately 6–8 minutes. Ensure not to overcrowd the skillet.
Once properly cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the skillet and let them drain on paper towels to remove any excess oil. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken pieces.
Chicken strips are done when a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Adding the Parmesan Garlic Sauce:
In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and garlic powder until well combined.
Dredge the freshly fried chicken tenders in garlic butter, ensuring they are well coated. You can also use a pastry brush to generously apply the mixture to each piece of tender, juicy chicken.
Serve mouth-watering garlic parmesan chicken tenders immediately while they’re still warm.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Answer: Absolutely!
You can slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips to mimic the size and shape of tenders. Just be mindful of the cooking time, as thicker slices may require a slightly longer frying time to ensure they’re cooked through.
How can I make my chicken tenders extra crispy?
Answer: Ensuring your oil is at the right temperature (around 350°F or 175°C) is key.
Also, letting the coated chicken tenders rest on a wire rack before frying can help the flour mixture adhere better, producing a crispier exterior.
Is there a gluten-free option for the coating?
Answer: You can substitute all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free alternative. Some people also use crushed gluten-free breadcrumbs or cornstarch.
How do I store leftovers?
Answer: Leftover crispy tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best reheating results, use an oven or toaster oven to retain their crispiness.
What other dipping sauces pair well with these tenders besides ranch?
Answer: Dip chicken in your favorite sauce!
Honey mustard, blue cheese, BBQ sauce, or even a spicy aioli complement the fantastic flavor of garlic and parmesan.
Are there any alternative seasonings I can use if I don’t have the ones listed?
Answer: The beauty of a chicken tenders recipe is how easy it is to alter. Feel free to experiment with what you have on hand if you still need an ingredient or two.
Italian seasoning, fresh basil, lemon pepper, or even a dash of curry powder—the choice is yours.
Related Chicken Breast Recipes
- Salt and Pepper Chicken: Easy Chinese-cuisine inspired, this simple salt and pepper recipe delivers fantastic flavor.
- Lipton Chicken: An oldie but a goodie. A packet of Lipton’s onion soup mix and a crock pot are all you need for a chicken dish that is both savory and incredibly satisfying.
- Marry Me Chicken: Rumor has it that one taste of this, and you’ll understand its name! With ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh herbs, it’s a creamy, dreamy experience that’ll have your taste buds swooning.
- Honey Buttered Chicken: Another smothered chicken recipe, tender chicken pieces are glazed in a blend of sweet honey and rich butter, which leaves you full and happy.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken tenders
- vegetable oil
Marinade
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. Black Pepper
- ½ tsp. Paprika
Flour Mixture
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic and herb seasoning
- 1 tbsp. Lawry's seasoning
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter
- 1 stick butter melted
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients: Buttermilk, Pickle juice, Garlic powder, Paprika, Salt, and Black Pepper. Whisk the mixture until well combined. Add the raw chicken tenders, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the marinade. Let the chicken sit in the bowl and marinate while you prepare the flour mixture.
Flour Mixture
- In a separate large bowl, combine the following: Flour, Lawry's seasoning, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Cayenne pepper, Garlic and herb seasoning, and Black pepper. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Take each marinated chicken tender and dredge it in the flour mixture, ensuring it's generously coated on both sides.
- Place the coated chicken tenders on a wire rack and let them rest.
Frying Chicken Tenders
- In a large skillet, pour vegetable oil until it's about 2 inches deep. Heat over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add a batch of chicken tenders. Fry until they are browned on both sides, approximately 6-8 minutes in total. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees with a meat thermometer. If the chicken is browning too much, turn down heat until fully cooked inside.
- Once cooked, remove the tenders from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil. Continue frying the remaining batches of chicken tenders.
Parmesan Garlic Butter
- In a bowl, mix the following: Melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, Parsley, and Garlic powder.
- You can either dredge the tenders in the mixture or use a pastry brush to apply it. Serve the chicken tenderloins immediately. They pair well with homemade ranch dressing.
Notes
Nutritional information is an automated estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator or app.
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
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