If you're short on time but craving a comforting Italian-style dinner the whole family will love, this Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe will deliver! It's made with frozen fried chicken strips or tenders, a jar of spaghetti sauce and a bag of shredded cheese- and it's ready to eat in 20 minutes!
Like our 25-minute chicken tortellini casserole, our parmesan chicken tenders dinner is 100% kid approved and the perfect meal for busy weeknights. turning everyday ingredients into a cheesy, saucy classic that adults and kids both request again and again.
If you're not too short on time and want to incorporate a few homemade ingredients into this meal, you can use our slow cooker spaghetti sauce or pressure cooker marinara. We usually have these both in the freezer saved from other nights, which is a big time saver too!
Table Of Contents
Ingredients
- Frozen breaded chicken tenders: a time-saving shortcut that keeps dinner quick. You can also use frozen chicken nuggets to make it fun for little ones.
- Marinara sauce: use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade sauce, like slow cooker spaghetti sauce or instant pot marinara sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Pasta: bowtie, shells, or penne are all great options.
This simple ingredient list makes this one of the easiest chicken Parmesan dinners to make without sacrificing taste.
Can I Use Fresh Chicken Instead Of Frozen?
Yes! You can substitute fresh breaded chicken strips or tenders - just bake until fully cooked.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, chicken tenders parmesan can be made ahead of time. For optimal quality, plan to make it no more than 3 days before serving. Store in the fridge until you're ready to serve it and reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Place the frozen chicken tenders directly on top of the sauce. These breaded tenders cook perfectly straight from frozen, no thawing needed.
- Pour extra marinara sauce over the chicken, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
- Bake for about 15 minutes uncovered or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the cheese has melted and starts to bubble.
- While then chicken bakes, cook your favorite pasta according to package directions. Toss with extra sauce and serve alongside your cheesy Parmesan chicken.
Can I Make Chicken Parmesan In The Air Fryer?
Yes! Use a baking dish or pan that is small enough to fit in your air fryer. Follow the recipe as it's written but air fry it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. If serving with the pasta, you'll need to cook that on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker as pasta cannot be cooked in the air fryer.
How To Store
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Best Sides To Serve With Chicken Parmesan
Chicken tenders parmesan pairs beautifully with a side of pasta, like bowties, penne, ziti, and rigatoni. Or:
- Garlic bread
- Parmesan rosemary bread
- Cheese bread
- Toasted white bread
- Buttery carrots
- Garlic knots
- Roasted vegetables, like broccoli, green beans and asparagus.
Recipe
Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- 9x13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 12 breaded chicken tender strips frozen and fully cooked
- 4 ¼ cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 16 oz pasta optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Place the frozen chicken tenders directly on top of the sauce. Pour extra marinara sauce over the chicken, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
- Bake for about 15 minutes uncovered or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the cheese has melted and starts to bubble.
- While then chicken bakes, cook your favorite pasta according to package directions. Toss with extra sauce and serve alongside your cheesy Parmesan chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
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