Chicken tenders are made healthy by baking instead of frying, and are full of flavor!
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Chicken tenders were on sale this week at our store, so we picked up a pack to make some healthy baked chicken tenders for tonight.
First, I got my ingredients together and ready for assembly.
The tenders took a dip into the wet ingredients, and then into the dry.
Now when cooking chicken tenders, there is one crucial element that you really need to do. Place a cooling rack that you would use for cookies on top of a typical baking sheet. This way, the tenders get crispy not only on the top, but also on the bottom too, and prevents that “mush” factor that often happens when they’re baked on a regular baking sheet.
I am not hesitant to say that these were easily the best chicken tenders I have ever made…and they’re healthified to boot!
Healthy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken tenders
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup skim milk
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tbsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together the egg white, milk, and garlic. In another bowl, mix together both breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and thyme.
- Dip chicken tenders into egg wash first, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the well-coated tenders in a single layer on a cooling rack placed on top of baking sheet.
- Bake tenders for 20 minutes. Then, turn oven up to broil and broil tenders 5 minutes longer, until nice and crispy. ENJOY!
The chicken came out incredibly moist and full of flavor!
I dipped one of my tenders in some honey mustard, but then decided I actually liked them better on their own; the flavor was that amazing!
Along with our chicken tenders, we cooked up some sweet potato “puffs,” drizzled in ketchup,
and some garlic steamed green beans.
‘Twas one fantastic Sunday dinner!
Now it’s time to sit down and watch some red carpet before the Oscars start! I don’t know why, but I’m super excited to see Anne Hathaway and James Franco host tonight. Their previews make me laugh every time I see them!
Hope you’re all having a great end to your weekend!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
What an adorable baby!!! I love all of his hair – he looks like he has a tiny faux hawk!! Congrats to your friend!
Holly says
Brody is a BEAUTIFUL baby boy!!
I’m SO happy for your friends! & a month early- wow! He looks great though :)
& those chicken fingers– YUM!! Love chicken fingers :) (&especially with honey mustard!)
Blog is the New Black says
Brody is a cutie! And those tenders look amazing. I love making baked tenders, esp covering them with buff sauce… yum!
fsugirl! says
Ahhh so exciting!! What a cute baby!! Is it weird that I’ve been looking forward to the Oscars since January 1st? It’s even on my calendar… uh.. I need to get a life ;)
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
What a precious baby!! I’m so ready to see Anne and James host! I’ve been watching the red carpet show for a while now – Halle Berry and Reese Witherspoon have been the best dressed on my list so far!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
this is my kinda meal!! looks so good. i LOVE baked chicken fingers
Melissa says
What a precious little guy! Congrats to your friends! :)
I love doing chicken tenders like this! Jessica @How Sweet Eats has a bunch of different versions–you should check them out, too!
Karen says
Those chicken fingers look awesome! I never thought to use a cooling rack to cook chicken fingers…can’t wait to give that a try!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
AWWWWW what a sweetheart! :D Congratulations to them! :D
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl says
Awww! What a cutie!!! I’m so happy both momma and baby are doing well!
I LOVE chicken fingers for healthy weeknight meals – it’s on our menu plan for this week too…with none other than sweet potato fries :)
Alexa @ SimpleEats says
You know the way to my heart, girl.
Cute-Ella says
Yay! Babies are always fun :)
Note to self, edit the helpful hint that includes the cooling rack trick before it gets posted. :)
Kristin says
Those chicken tenders look delicious! That would be a good way to make some eggplant parm too. Brody is adorable, congrats to your friends!
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
cute baby!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Awww yay congrats to your friends!! The birth of a new baby is always sooooo exciting :)
Stacie says
Congrats to your friends on the new baby! It’s crazy how facebook can keep people connected on the most important events in our lives now.
Kelly says
Congrats to your friends…Brody is percious!!! :) Your recipe looks great too. I am currently sitting here about to head to the store to get our goods for the week and I am adding this onto our meal plan for the week…thanks!!
Courtney says
You betcha! ;)
Alyssa Kuminski says
Aw!! What an adorable baby :) I LOVE the name Brody..
So smart to cook them on a cooling rack! I hate the mushy bottoms..
dena b says
yummy chicken tenders.. can’t wait to make these
Erica says
Hello Courtney! This dinner looks so fantastic! I want to it make tomorrow night for my family, I was wondering if you would PLEASE tell me how you make your garlic green beans and sweet potato “puffs”. Thank you so much!
Courtney says
Hi Erica!
For the sweet potatoes…I sliced them first, then soaked them in water for about 30 mins. Then, I drizzled some EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic powder, & paprika. Next, place them on a baking sheet and cook for about 40 mins at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through.
For the green beans, my husband literally just takes the green beans and a clove of minced garlic, puts them in a tupperware container with a splash of water, and steams them in the microwave for about 3 mins.
Courtney says
These fingers have been at the back of my mind (and top of my priority list, om nom) all week and I’m finally whippin em up for dinner tonight. Not that it matters much, but I was curious as to why you decided to use only the egg white and not a whole beaten egg? Just wondering, but nonetheless they look delish and I’ll let you know how they turn out!
Courtney says
No specific reason in particular, really. Just decided to go with it! Hope they turn out yummy for you! :)
CaSaundra says
Aww so adorable–congrats to your friends! :-)
Geneva says
I’ve been dying to trying this recipe since I started following your blog and tonight was my lucky night! Sooooo good!
Rachael Stout says
What an adorable baby I LOVE the name Brody.. These fingers have been at the back of my mind (and top of my priority list, om nom) all week and I’m finally whippin em up for dinner tonight. I’m SO happy for your friends!
Meagan Peterson says
I never comment, but I made these yesterday and needed to tell you/your readers what a great recipe this was! I followed your recipe almost to a T – I didn’t have panko breadcrumbs, so I just used regular breadcrumbs. They were tender and juicy , an amazing addition to a comfort meal. Thanks so much for sharing!
Natalie Chaney says
My baby was five pounds when he was born too!! So glad I came across this recipe. Super excited to make this tonight