Lunch: Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders

Recipe by Kelly Senyei Ditch the deep fryer in favor of crispy baked chicken tenders coated with Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Olive oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat or white breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 1/4 lbs uncooked chicken tenders

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 475 °F. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush it liberally with olive oil.
In a medium bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place the flour in a second medium bowl. In a third medium bowl, whisk together the eggs.
Bread each chicken tender by dredging it in the flour, shaking off any excess, then adding it to the eggs, coating it on all sides and shaking off any excess. Transfer the chicken to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it onto the chicken on all sides. Place the chicken tender on the prepared baking sheet and repeat the breading process with the remaining tenders, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Spray the top of the chicken tenders lightly with cooking spray. (This is optional, but it leads to a more golden brown color and crunch.)
Bake the chicken tenders for 15 minutes, turning them once halfway through, until they’re cooked throughout. Remove them from the oven and serve them with your preferred dipping sauces.