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Crispy Chicken Tenders Parmesan Recipe Easy Homemade Gooey Mozzarella Delight

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Golden, crispy chicken tenders stuffed with gooey mozzarella and coated in a crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb crust. Perfect for quick, indulgent comfort food that’s simple to make and loved by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds fresh chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into small sticks or cubes
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1–2 cups olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for heat

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry chicken tenders. If using chicken breasts, slice into 1-inch strips.
  2. Slice fresh mozzarella into ½-inch sticks or cubes and keep chilled.
  3. In a large bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
  4. Set up dredging stations with flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture in a third.
  5. Stuff each chicken strip with a piece of mozzarella, folding and pinching edges to seal tightly.
  6. Coat each stuffed tender lightly in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then press into breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture to coat thoroughly.
  7. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Fry tenders in batches without crowding, about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
  9. Drain tenders on paper towels or wire rack and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Seal mozzarella tightly inside chicken to prevent leaks. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best results. Avoid overcrowding pan to keep oil temperature steady. Let tenders rest after frying to set crust and prevent cheese from oozing out. Double-dip in egg and breadcrumbs for extra crispy crust. For baking, cook at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken tenders, parmesan chicken, mozzarella stuffed chicken, homemade chicken tenders, cheesy chicken recipe, comfort food, easy chicken recipe

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