Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders Recipe
With just Five Ingredients and Five Minutes of prep time, these baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders will be your new easy dinner. This is our favorite easy Chicken Tenders Recipe.
It can be difficult to make simple ingredients taste good quickly on busy weeknights. My Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenderloins Recipe does just that. With a five-minute prep time, you can pop them in the oven and help kids with homework, get a couple of chores done, or sit back and put your tired feet up.
Making this Parmesan garlic chicken is simple and effort-free. It’s great for serving a crowd of hungry guests or kids! This juicy chicken also pairs well with many different side dishes like green beans, broccoli, or a fresh salad and crusty bread.
These Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders are also a great kid-friendly option! Or if you want some heat in a chicken tenderloin recipe, try my Blackened Chicken Tenders!
Ingredients
- Chicken tenderloins – Tenders are cut from the side of a chicken breast. They are more tender. They do have tendon that runs through them. It is easy to cut out with kitchen shears. Alternatively, you can cut chicken breasts to this same shape.
- Mayonnaise – Mayo is the binder to hold on the cheese. Since it has egg in it as it cooks the cheese will adhere to the chicken.
- Parmesan cheese – You can use freshly shredded Parmesan or pre-shredded. Grated cheese can be worked in a pinch, but it isn’t my top choice for this recipe.
- Garlic powder – Regular garlic powder or roasted garlic powder both work well. You can use fresh minced garlic if you prefer.
- Salt – We’ve been using Real Salt lately, but kosher salt also works well. You don’t need much extra salt since Parmesan is naturally salty.
See quantities and the full recipe in the recipe card.
How To Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Step One: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with olive oil cooking spray. Mix together the mayonnaise, ¼ cup of cheese, garlic, and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
Step Two: Place the chicken in the bowl and stir until it is coated in the Parmesan sauce.
Step Three: Lay the pieces of chicken on the baking sheet in a single layer. Spoon any extra creamy sauce on top.
Step Four: Add the rest of the cheese on top of the chicken. Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature is 160.
Optional Step Five: If you want the chicken to be golden brown, broil it for 2-3 minutes. This will brown up the cheese.
Top Tip💡
If you decide to broil the chicken, it’s important not to cook it too long and keep a close watch. It can burn really quickly in the broiler. Plus, if it cooks too long, it can dry out.
Variations
- Seasoning – Try adding Italian seasoning, black pepper, or onion powder to boost the flavor of this easy recipe. For a bit of heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes.
- Breasts – If you prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts, you may. Just cut them into strips and proceed with the rest of the garlic parmesan chicken recipe.
- Thighs – You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Storage
Let the chicken cool down after cooking it, then place the chicken tenderloins in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. This garlic chicken will last 3-4 days, and it’s incredible for leftovers.
You can also freeze the chicken. I like to flash freeze it on a baking dish for around 2 hours, then take the pieces and put them in a freezer bag.
Reheating
A quick way to reheat the tenders in the microwave is to put them in a microwave-safe container and heat it for a minute or two.
You can also lay the chicken tenders on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Once they are warm all the way, you can eat them.
Common Questions
Mayo? Do I have to use Mayonnaise in Garlic Parmesan Chicken?
Mayo is my favorite condiment ever. It takes almost any savory dish and kicks it up a notch. It is my go-to for making anything dairy-free creamy. That delicious emulsified oil can replace cream in many recipes.
You cannot taste it in this recipe. Really. But if you are adamantly opposed to using mayonnaise I’ve had readers use yogurt or sour cream successfully.
What Temperature Do Chicken Tenderloins Need to Cook to?
Chicken should be 160 degrees F. before it’s consumed. As the chicken bakes, once it reaches 158 degrees, you can remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This gives it time to finish raising the temperature to 160 degrees F as it sits.
When it comes to chicken (or any meat really), you don’t want to overcook it. I know it sounds like a good idea to cook it until it’s hotter in theory, but you will end up with a dry and flavorless meal if you do. As long as it’s prepared to 160 degrees F., it’s safe to consume the tender chicken, and you don’t need to worry.
Can cooked chicken be pink?
Yes, sometimes chicken that’s fully cooked will have a slight pink color in the center. As long as it’s not raw and you are positive that it reads the correct temperature, it’s okay to eat. Undercooked chicken can make you very ill, so it’s always a good idea to check the temperatures when making any type of chicken dish.
Can I use the sauce in other ways?
This recipe has the same topping I use on my Garlic Parmesan Zucchini. It is a family favorite, and I knew it would also be great on chicken. My kids gobbled this up.
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Video
Five Minute Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds chicken tenderloins
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the mayo, 1/4 cup of the cheese, garlic, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Put the chicken on a large baking sheet in a single layer.
- Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. It should read 160 on a meat thermometer. I try to take it out at about 158 and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the cheese. Watch the chicken closely if you are broiling so it doesn’t burn.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally published on November 3, 2017. Revised and republished on September 12, 2025.
Is this 21 g of fat per serving ? Seems high for it being just 3 ingredients
Each serving has over 1 tablespoon of mayo and parmesan cheese.
Can I prepare these ahead and refrigerate and cook later
Yes
I used bone-in chicken legs, substituted sour cream for the mayonnaise and added a dash of rosemary, oregano and pepper. I’m not keto, but this recipe is delicious & so easy for someone who messes dinner up quite often
A friend share this recipe on Facebook. That started a journey through your blog and found many jewels. Making this recipe for dinner tonight. Know it will be delicious.
There are actually 2g of carbs in a tsp of garlic powder. For anyone on keto or keeping track of carbs in general, you should also pay close attention to carbs in your seasonings. Still a great low carb option! Cant wait to try this recipe.
Shared <3 great cals <3
Made this for dinner tonight! It was super yummy and a big hit with both my guys!
Love, love love this!
Started Weight Watchers today and need to figure the points!
My family loved it!
I put it in recipe builder but substituted fat free plain greek yogurt for the mayo and one serving becomes 1 smart point 🙂
Shannen, The cheese is the points? what is the serving size?
I’m on WW too did u figure points out
You can substitute 0% milk fat greek yogurt for the mayonnaise!
Hi. Would these still be good reheated as leftovers the next day?
Yes, we enjoy them as leftovers (if there are any left 😀).
This was great! Gave some to family and they messaged me wanting more…Thanks!!
Love, love, love this recipe! Even my two picky eaters ate it. Definitely will be making this again. Probably ones a week. So easy and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Hey Taryn, I can’t wait to try this for my family!! My question is what kind of mayo did you use? I just wanted to make sure to get the right kind!!
I normally buy Just Mayo but any mayo should work.
I know mayo is used to have low carb .. but can Mirical Whip salad dressing b used
… “ Miracle Whip”
Probably. You just need something to hold the parmesan to the chicken.
I made this tonight and used miracle whip and it was a huge hit.
Miracle Whip is not mayo. It’s ‘salad dressing’ (whatever THAT is), and has added sugar. Use Best Foods (AKA Hellman’s).
You can also use sour cream instead of mayo
Hi Sandy, you tried this recipe with sour cream?
This recipe is awesome! My husband was the chef of the family and now he is working extended hours, I have to cook. Usually I get comments from my fussy eaters that dad’s was better. Tonight with this recipe, my children are all their chicken and my pickiest eater had seconds. Thank you!
Could you cook these in an air fryer?
I’m sorry but I haven’t tried it. You would have to half the recipe or they wouldn’t fit. I think it would work.