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Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard

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These crispy baked parmesan chicken tenders with honey mustard are baked, not fried, and deliver a crunchy, golden crust with juicy chicken inside. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game-day snacking, they come together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ pounds chicken breast tenders (or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Cooking spray or olive oil spray
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Set up your breading station. In one shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and Dijon mustard until smooth. In another shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix together with your fingers, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
  3. Prep the chicken. If your chicken tenders are very thick, place them between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even thickness (about ½ inch). Pat them dry with paper towels.
  4. Coat the chicken. Working with one piece at a time, dip a chicken tender into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Then press it firmly into the panko-Parmesan mixture, making sure it’s completely coated on all sides.
  5. Arrange on the rack. Place the coated tenders on the prepared wire rack, leaving a little space between each one so the heat can circulate.
  6. Spray with oil. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Bake until the tenders are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
  8. Make the honey mustard. While the chicken bakes, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Taste and adjust.
  9. Rest and serve. Let the tenders rest on the rack for 2-3 minutes after baking. Serve immediately with the honey mustard sauce on the side.

Notes

For best results, pat chicken dry before breading, press coating firmly, use a thermometer to check doneness, and let tenders rest after baking. The honey mustard sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. For gluten-free, use gluten-free panko or crushed pork rinds. For air fryer, cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tenders, baked chicken, parmesan chicken, honey mustard, crispy chicken, easy dinner, kid-friendly, meal prep

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/crispy-baked-parmesan-chicken-tenders-with-honey-mustard/