Baked chicken tenders brushed with garlicky butter, dusted with parmesan and served with golden fries and a cool cos (romaine) salad.
These Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are what my kids call “garlic bread chicken” – because that’s exactly what they taste like. Crispy, juicy tenders brushed with a garlicky butter glaze, then sprinkled with parmesan that melts slightly and clings to the crumb. They can be oven-baked or made in the air fryer, and both methods give you that golden, buttery coating that smells unreal when it comes out of the oven. Even better, you can freeze them raw, ready to bake for another night, or cook the whole batch and enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day – they’re amazing chopped through a salad, tucked into wraps, or just eaten cold from the fridge.
Now, these aren’t your deep-fried, pub-style schnitzels (and thank goodness, because there’s no oil splatter, no cleanup, and no heaviness after dinner). The texture is more of a crisp-meets-soft situation – golden on the outside, tender in the middle, with that buttery parmesan layer doing all the heavy lifting for flavour. To get them just right, the key is to preheat your oven properly (at LEAST 20 minutes of preheating – they will NOT work in a cold oven) and don’t overcrowd the tray – they need space to get that lovely colour. Serve them with fries, mash or a simple salad, or make a big batch for entertaining. Everyone loves them and they’re the kind of simple, double-duty dinner that just makes life easier.
Can I bake or air fry my Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders?
Yes – both methods work perfectly. Bake at 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced) for 16–18 minutes (up to 20 minutes for thicker breast strips) or air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
How crispy are these tenders?
They’re beautifully golden and lightly crunchy – not deep-fried crunchy, but crisp enough that you won’t miss the oil. The secret is a hot, well-preheated oven and giving each piece enough space on the tray (see the recipe notes for more details).
Do I need to line the tray?
No. Skip the baking (parchment) paper – it traps steam and stops the underside from browning. Use a lightly oiled rack or tray for even crispiness.
What else can I serve with Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders?
These go with almost anything – think easy, family-style sides that make dinner feel complete. Parmesan fries or sweet potato fries are always a win, but they’re just as good with a simple cos (romaine) salad or a creamy coleslaw. If you’ve got time, serve them with roasted baby potatoes or a classic potato salad. On cooler nights, they’re delicious with buttered corn, steamed greens, or creamy mashed potatoes. Basically, if it works with garlic bread, it’ll work with these tenders. And don’t forget the lemon wedges – they brighten everything up.
Why you’ll love it:
- Double-duty dinner – Freeze them raw for a quick midweek meal, or cook and use leftovers for wraps, salads or lunch boxes.
- Can be baked or air-fried – No messy oil, no splatter, just golden, garlicky perfection either way.
- Garlic-butter magic – Brushing on melted garlic butter and parmesan at the end makes the crumb rich, glossy and full of flavour.
- Family-friendly flexibility – Works with fries, coleslaw, mash, salad … basically anything you’ve got.
- Foolproof results – A hot oven, space on the tray, and a quick brush of butter are all it takes for golden success every time.
- They make great canapes for parties – serve the tenders whole on a platter with a bowl of creamy garlic and herb dipping sauce, they will disappear quickly!
If you enjoyed Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders, I think you’ll love:
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe
Southern “Fried” Baked Chicken Strips Recipe
Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
Chicken Schnitzel Pesto Sandwich Recipe
Crispy Baked Chicken Schnitzel Recipe
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Juicy, golden chicken tenders brushed with garlicky butter and sprinkled with parmesan – like garlic bread meets crispy chicken. You can bake or air fry them (no oil splatter, no fuss), then serve with fries, coleslaw, salad or whatever’s in the fridge. Freeze them raw for an easy make-ahead dinner, or cook the whole batch and use the leftovers for wraps or lunch boxes the next day. Simple, buttery and family-approved – this Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe is that kind of dinner that always disappears fast.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
CREAMY GARLIC AND HERB 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
- 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
- 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) chicken tenderloins (mini fillets) or sliced boneless, skinless breast
- Olive oil spray (for cooking)
GARLIC BUTTER
- 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
TO SERVE
- Air fryer chips, crispy oven fries or freezer fries
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or air fryer –
Oven: Preheat to 220°C (425°F) (200°C fan/400°F fan-forced) and let it heat for 10–15 minutes after reaching temperature – the oven must be fully hot for crisp results.
Air fryer: Preheat to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes. - Make the dipping sauce – In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients until smooth.
- Prepare the crumb – In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Place the flour and whisked eggs in separate bowls.
- Coat the chicken – Dust each piece of chicken in the flour, then dip into the egg, then coat in the breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to help them stick.
- Bake or air fry –
Oven: Arrange the chicken on a lightly oiled rack set over a tray (or a heavy, unlined tray sprayed with oil). Space the chicken evenly and spray the tops with oil. Bake for 16–18 minutes, flipping once halfway and spraying with oil again, until golden and just cooked through. Do not bake for longer than 22 minutes or they’ll dry out.
Air fryer: Spray the basket with oil, add the chicken in a single layer, then spray the tops with oil so they are evenly covered. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying with oil again, until crisp and golden. Do not exceed 18 minutes or they’ll dry out. - Make the garlic butter – In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic, salt and parsley.
- Finish the chicken – As soon as the chicken is cooked and golden, brush it generously with the garlic butter, then immediately sprinkle it with the finely grated parmesan. The heat will melt the cheese slightly so it clings to the coating.
- Make the cos salad – Toss the lettuce strips with the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper just before serving.
- Serve – Serve the tenders with the dipping sauce, salad, fries and lemon wedges.
Notes
Note 1 –
The oven must be properly preheated – don’t rush it. You need the oven piping hot before the chicken goes in.
Skip baking (parchment) paper – Use a lightly oiled rack or tray so the crumb browns underneath.
Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between each piece so the heat can circulate. Use two trays if needed and swap halfway through the cooking time.
Use oil wisely – A fine mist over the chicken helps browning without making it greasy.
Oven-baked crumbs won’t be as crunchy as fried – But the garlic butter soaks in and makes the coating rich and golden so you won’t miss the oil!
Make Ahead
You can fully prep these tenders in advance, ready to bake later.
To freeze (raw) – Once coated in breadcrumbs, lay the chicken tenders on a lined tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a snap-lock bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
To cook from frozen – Bake at 220°C (425°F) (200°C fan/400°F fan-forced) for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying with oil, until golden and cooked through.
To refrigerate (uncooked) – Store crumbed, uncooked tenders in the fridge (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking.
Dipping sauce – Can be made up to 3 days ahead and kept refrigerated in a sealed container. The flavour improves as it sits.
Garlic butter – Can be mixed ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Re-melt gently before brushing it on the chicken.
Leftovers
Cooked chicken tenders – Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat – Oven: 200°C (400°F) (180°C/350°F fan-forced) for 8–10 minutes. Air fryer: 180°C (350°F) for 5–6 minutes until warmed through and crisp. Microwave: Use only for a quick reheat; the coating will soften.
Freeze (cooked) – Up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen at 200°C (400°F) (180°C/350°F fan-forced) for 15–18 minutes, brushing again with garlic butter if desired.
Serving ideas – Slice leftovers into wraps, add to salads, or serve cold in lunch boxes – they’re delicious even straight from the fridge.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken, Family Favourites, Fakeaway, Freezer-Friendly
- Method: Oven or Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Modern Australian
