🍗🍋 Crispy Greek Chicken Tenders
🍴 Ingredients:
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1½ lbs (about 700g) chicken tenders
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray or olive oil mist
For Serving (Optional):
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Tzatziki sauce (for dipping)
🛠️ Preparation:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken tenders to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) for maximum flavor.
2. Prepare the Breading:
- In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Coat the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off.
- Dredge each tender in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing to adhere.
4. Bake:
- Place the breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly mist the tops with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
5. Serve:
- Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and optional tzatziki sauce for dipping.
📖 Description:
These Crispy Greek Chicken Tenders are juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly crunchy! The Greek yogurt marinade tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with zesty Mediterranean flavors, and the crispy Parmesan-panko coating delivers the perfect golden crunch without deep-frying. A healthier, vibrant twist on a classic comfort food!
📋 Notes:
- Marinating is essential for tender and flavorful chicken — don’t skip it!
- If you like extra crispy tenders, broil them for the last 1–2 minutes of baking.
- You can also air-fry these at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
💡 Tips:
- Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular for an extra crispy texture.
- Pat the chicken dry a little before breading if the marinade is too thick — it helps the crumbs stick better.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the marinade if you like a spicy kick.
- Serve over a Greek salad or with roasted veggies for a full meal.
🍽️ Servings:
- Makes about 4 servings (depending on appetite — around 3–4 tenders per person).
🥗 Nutritional Info (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugars: 2 g
(Nutrition will vary slightly based on the amount of coating and type of yogurt.)
🌟 Benefits:
- High in protein to support muscle growth and energy.
- Lower fat than traditional fried tenders.
- Calcium boost from Greek yogurt and Parmesan.
- Probiotics from the yogurt can aid digestion (especially if using live culture yogurt).
❓ Q/A:
Q: Can I prep these in advance?
A: Yes! You can marinate and bread them, then store in the fridge (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking.
Q: Can I make them gluten-free?
A: Absolutely! Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
Q: Can I freeze them?
A: Yes — freeze them after breading but before baking. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Q: What if I don’t have panko?
A: Regular breadcrumbs can work, but the texture will be less crispy. You can mix in crushed cornflakes for a similar crunch.
💬 ✅ If you love quick and flavorful recipes like this, let me know or drop a comment — more Greek-inspired recipes can come your way!
◼️Thank you!◼️ 🥰😍🤗
Would you also like me to give you a quick homemade tzatziki recipe to pair with these tenders? 🥒🍋🧄✨ It would be perfect!