If you’re looking for a crispy, cheesy, and garlicky snack or meal, these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are sure to hit the spot! The chicken is perfectly seasoned, coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust, and cooked to golden-brown perfection in the air fryer. Tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce and sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan, these tenders are an irresistible treat. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a main dish, they’re sure to become a favorite in your household. Plus, they’re easy to make and cook in no time!
Method
To begin, prepare the chicken by placing the chicken strips in a bowl and mixing them with the chicken seasoning. Ensure each piece is evenly coated for that delicious flavor in every bite. Next, set up your dredging station. In one shallow bowl, place plain flour, and in another, add the beaten eggs. Finally, spread the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Take each chicken strip and first dip it into the flour, making sure it’s evenly coated, then into the egg wash, and finally coat it thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs. Once each piece is coated, set the chicken strips aside on a tray or plate. Repeat this process with all the chicken strips.
Now, it’s time to cook the chicken. Preheat your air fryer to 190°C and lightly spray the basket with some oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Set the air fryer to cook for 16 minutes, and remember to flip the tenders halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly and get that golden-brown crisp on all sides.
While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to prepare the garlic butter sauce. In a pan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté it until it becomes fragrant, which should take about 1-2 minutes. If you like a little kick, now’s the time to add the crushed chili flakes for some extra heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and sauté the mixture for another minute before removing it from the heat.
When the chicken is fully cooked and crisped to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and transfer the tenders to a large mixing bowl. Now, pour the hot garlic butter sauce over the chicken tenders and toss them gently to make sure each piece is well-coated in the rich sauce. Finally, sprinkle the freshly grated parmesan cheese on top, ensuring an even distribution. Serve the tenders with a side of sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy the amazing garlic parmesan flavors!
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer
- Shallow bowl for dredging
- Large mixing bowl
- Pan for making sauce
- Tongs for handling chicken strips
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders: Crispy, Cheesy, and Delicious!
Cuisine: American, ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes16
minutes26
minutesIngredients
400g chicken breast, cut into thick strips
1 tbsp chicken seasoning
For dredging
Plain flour
Panko breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
For the sauce
5 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 tsp crushed chili flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup parmesan, finely grated
Directions
- In a bowl, add the chicken strips and mix in the chicken seasoning. Make sure the chicken is well coated.
- Set up your dredging station: dip each chicken strip in plain flour, then egg, and finally coat it in panko breadcrumbs. Place the coated strips on a tray or plate. Continue with the rest of the chicken strips.
- Preheat your air fryer to 190°C and lightly spray the tray with oil. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 16 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. In a pan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. If you like a little heat, add the crushed chili flakes. Stir in the chopped parsley and sauté for another minute before removing from the heat.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the tenders from the air fryer. Transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the chicken tenders and toss well to combine. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve with sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Notes
- Even coating: Make sure each chicken strip is evenly coated in the breadcrumbs for that crispy texture. If some areas are less coated, they might not crisp up as nicely.
- Air fryer temperature: Be sure to check that your air fryer is preheated to 190°C before you start cooking. This ensures the tenders cook evenly and get that perfect golden-brown crisp.
- Sauce timing: It’s best to prepare the sauce towards the end of the cooking time so it’s hot and ready to toss with the tenders right when they come out of the air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are perfect for a snack, appetizer, or even as a main dish. Serve them with a side of crispy fries or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. For an extra creamy touch, try pairing them with a side of ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or even spicy buffalo sauce if you like a little heat.
Fun Fact
Did you know that garlic, aside from adding great flavor, is known for its numerous health benefits? It’s been used for centuries as a natural remedy for boosting the immune system and reducing blood pressure. So not only do these tenders taste amazing, but they’re a little good for you too!
Conclusion
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are a fun and tasty recipe that combines crispy chicken with rich, garlicky goodness. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a snack for your next get-together, they are sure to be a hit with your friends and family. With the easy air fryer method and simple ingredients, you’ll be able to make this dish over and over again. Enjoy every bite of this cheesy, garlicky, and totally irresistible treat!
