Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are everything I want in a chicken tender: golden, crispy, cheesy, and packed with garlic flavor without a heavy breading. Bake them in the oven or air fryer for an easy dinner the whole family will get excited about without the added deep frying calories. They’re easy enough for busy weeknights but flavorful enough to feel like something you’d order at your favorite restaurant.

We are a big time chicken tender family over here, and the flavor combos are endless. This is one of our top favorites. The Parmesan and garlic bring so much flavor that they don’t need much else. I’ll set out ranch, honey mustard, or marinara if everyone’s in the mood for dipping, but more often than not, we end up eating them straight off the pan.

Instead of hiding the chicken under a thick layer of breadcrumbs, the Parmesan creates a crisp crust that gives every bite plenty of garlic and cheesy flavor without feeling heavy.

What Makes These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders Different

Instead of relying on a thick layer of breadcrumbs, the Parmesan and garlic do most of the heavy lifting, so every bite is packed with flavor. Similar to my Naked Chicken Tenders, this recipe has a very light coating without sacrificing the crispiness.

Here’s why you’ll love them:

• Crispy without a thick breading. You get crispy edges without a thick layer of breadcrumbs thanks to cornstarch.
• The Parmesan goes on in two stages. Adding a little more Parmesan and garlic halfway through baking keeps them from burning while giving the tenders an extra layer of flavor.
• They’re crispy without frying. The oven and air fryer both create golden, crisp edges without the mess of deep frying, they won’t have a thick breading but the little bit they do have goes a long way!
• They’re just as good without sauce. I still love serving ranch or honey mustard on the side, but these are flavorful enough to stand on their own.

Ingredient Notes

A few notes about the ingredients that make the biggest difference in this recipe. The full list of ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

• Cornstarch or Arrowroot. This is what gives the tenders their light, crispy coating without relying on a thick layer of breadcrumbs. Arrowroot and cornstarch both work well, so use whatever you have on hand.
• Fresh Garlic. Fresh minced garlic gives these tenders their bold garlic flavor. Frozen garlic cubes are my favorite shortcut on busy nights and work just as well.
• Parmesan. Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the coating better than the shelf-stable kind and creates crisp, cheesy edges as it bakes. Pecorino Romano is also a great substitute if you like a slightly sharper flavor.

Best Dipping Sauces

These tenders honestly don’t need a dipping sauce, but I’m definitely not saying no to one. If you’re serving these for dinner, game day, or a crowd, here are a few of my favorites.

• Ranch for a classic pairing.
• Hot Honey if you like a little sweet heat.
• Honey Mustard for the perfect sweet-and-tangy dip.
• Marinara for garlic bread vibes.
• Buffalo Ranch if you like a little extra kick.
• Garlic Aioli when you want to lean into the garlic flavor.

A Light Coating Goes A Long Way!

These Garlic Parmesan Strips aren’t heavily battered and fried, so the coating results in a softer lighter texture without sacrificing the garlic parmesan flavor.

• Make sure the chicken strips are equal in size. They will cook evenly.
• Pat the chicken dry! This is important to get the batter to stick to the chicken since we aren’t deep frying.
• Tossing the chicken tenders in seasoned oil will help the arrowroot or cornstarch stick better.
• Let the batter sit on the chicken for a few minutes so it hydrates and sticks better.
• Briefly sauté the garlic and oil together to make a flavorful baste for the tenders before serving.

What To Serve With These Chicken Tenders

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are easy enough for a weeknight dinner but also perfect for game day or feeding a crowd. I usually pair them with something fresh to balance the rich Parmesan coating. Here are a few of my favorite combinations:

• Crispy French Fries or Lemon Roasted Potatoes for a classic chicken tender dinner.
• A crisp salad, like my White Bean Salad or a simple Avocado Caesar Salad.
• Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
• Fresh fruit for an easy family meal.
• Mac and cheese or coleslaw if you’re serving them at a cookout or casual gathering.

Other Chicken Recipes To Love

Dinner

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls

Salads

Black Bean and Rice Salad 

Dinner

Easy Mediterranean Bowl With Chicken

Dinner

White Bean Chili With Chicken