If you're short on time but craving a comforting Italian-style dinner the whole family will love, this Chicken Tenders Parmesan recipe delivers every time. Using simple pantry ingredients and frozen chicken tenders, you can have this hearty meal on the table in under 20 minutes- perfect for busy weeknights or effortless family meals
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Chicken Tenders Parmesan is 100% kid approved and the perfect meal for busy weeknights. This recipe is kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and totally satisfying, turning everyday ingredients into a cheesy, saucy classic that adults and kids both request again and again.
Not too short on time? Use this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce made in the slow cooker or pressure cooker marinara sauce for the best, bold flavor.
And for more quick family pasta meals, check out our cheese lasagna, 4-cheese macaroni and cheese, effortless meatless baked ziti and butter parmesan spaghetti.
Ingredients
- Frozen breaded chicken tenders: a time-saving shortcut that keeps dinner quick.
- Marinara sauce: use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade sauce if you prefer.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Pasta: bowtie, shells, or penne are all great options.
This streamlined ingredient list makes this one of the easiest chicken Parmesan dinners to make without sacrificing taste.
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.
Storing
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 This Recipe
Chicken tenders parmesan pairs beautifully with a side of pasta, like bowties, penne, ziti, and rigatoni. Or:
- Garlic bread
- Mashed potatoes
- Butter spaghetti
- Garlic knots
- Roasted vegetables, like broccoli and asparagus.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can substitute fresh breaded chicken strips or tenders - just bake until fully cooked.
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.
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.
You should not freeze leftovers, as the chicken was already frozen and it's recommended not to refreeze it.
Recipe
Chicken Tenders Parmesan
Equipment
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
Sharon says
I love this shortcut of using frozen chicken tenders for this chicken parmesan. The whole family will love this!
Marie-Pierre says
Going to try this with the kiddos next week! Sound delicious and easy to make! Exactly what mommy needs!
veenaazmanov says
Simple, quick , easy and One pot meal too. Definitely looks like a Happy Meal option for my family. Presentation yummy and tempting.
Megan says
Everyone loved these tenders! So simple and so good! A winner for sure.
Jamie says
Wow! Such a great recipe for everyone to enjoy and love! This recipe looks delicious and is very yummy! Plus the best part, we only need 5 ingredients to make this wonderful dish, and will only take 20 minutes to finish! Loved it!
Cathleen says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I am obsessed with this, I make this over and over! It's one of my favourites now 🙂
Jacqueline Debono says
I love to make chicken parm from scratch but it's time consuming so, this is an excellent cheat version, especially for the kiddies!
Amanda says
Such a great weeknight dinner! It came together quickly and easily, and I just love all that cheesy goodness. Definitely worth putting in your dinner rotation.
Hayley Dhanecha says
This is so simple, easy and delicious kid friendly recipe, my friend's kids loved it. Thanks for an amazing recipe.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Such a great shortcut and timesaver using frozen breaded tenders! Definitely a quick and delicious weeknight dinner!