Description
These Crispy Parmesan Ranch Chicken Tenders are coated in a savory blend of ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs, then baked to golden perfection. They’re irresistibly crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces. Great as a snack, appetizer, or main dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Prepare the Egg Wash:
- In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and olive oil (or melted butter) together until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, making sure it’s fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the crumbs.
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Chicken Tenders:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the baking time. The chicken should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve:
- Once baked, remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.
Notes
- For an extra crispy coating, you can lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray before baking.
- You can substitute the ranch seasoning packet with homemade ranch seasoning if preferred.
- If you prefer frying, you can cook these tenders in a skillet with about 1/4 inch of oil over medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tenders
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 160mg