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This easy homemade chicken tenders recipe is a favorite for kids as well as adults! My Almond Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders make the perfect quick fix snack or light dinner recipe!

If you love chicken recipes like we do, try our Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs.

Homemade Chicken Tenders

You are in for such a treat with my Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders! My kids go nuts when I make them homemade chicken tenders. With back to school season here, I am always looking for quick and simple dinners! They could not be easier to prepare, and chicken tenders cook up quickly in a nice hot skillet. There’s no flour, no double dipping with messy fingers which is always a plus. This recipe is gluten free too!

Try my Crispy Sriracha Chicken Tenders too! Follow Picky Palate on Instagram for daily recipe inspiration.

almond meal for homemade chicken tenders

What You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make homemade chicken tenders at home. See the recipe card located at the bottom of the post for full details.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil– You’ll use olive oil to cook the chicken tenders in a hot skillet or pan.
Raw Chicken Tenders– Look for the chicken tenders in the meat department. Often times it’s near the chicken breast and other chicken pieces.
Almond Meal– Almond meal is ground almonds in a fine powder like consistency. Check for almond meal in the baking section of the grocery store. I’ve ordered it on Amazon as well if it’s hard to find.
Grated Parmesan Cheese– Parmesan cheese adds the perfect flavor to the chicken tenders with the almond meal. You can grate your own Parmesan or find it already grated in the grocery store.
Kosher Salt– Kosher salt is a more coarse salt. I prefer it in my cooking and baking.
Black Pepper- Use fresh cracked pepper from a pepper mill for best taste.
Dipping Sauces– Use your favorite dipping sauces for the chicken tenders. Ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, even barbecue sauce.

How To Make Chicken Tenders

Heat Oil. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Prepare Dry Ingredients In Shallow Dish. Place ground almonds, Parmesan, salt and pepper into a shallow dish, stirring to combine. (If you have whole almonds on hand like we did, you can grind them in a powerful blender. We used our Blendtec.)

Coat Chicken. Press each side of chicken tenders into almond Parmesan mixture, gently shaking off any excess.

Cook Tenders. Place coated chicken strips into hot saute pan. Cook each side for about 3 minutes, until cooked through and browned.

Serve. Remove strips from skillet and let cool on a baking rack or paper towel lined plate. Serve warm with your favorite chicken strip dips. My boys enjoy ketchup, Ranch dressing, mustard and honey.

Can I Use Other Chicken Parts?

You can use chicken breast and even chicken thighs with this recipe. Adjust your cooking time accordingly. Coat both sides of the chicken tenders in the almond coating.

Recipe Tips For Success

Use Good Ingredients. Make sure you have fresh almond meal and good quality chicken and Parmesan for best tasting results.
Preheat Pan. To get your tenders nice and crispy on the outsides make sure your pan is hot before cooking them.
Use A Serving Basket For Fun Display. Arrange your cooked tenders in a “bread type” basket lined with parchment paper
Have A Variety of Sauces. Offer a nice variety of dipping sauces for your guests such as Ranch Dressing, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ketchup and salsa to name a few.

The Secret To Making Perfect Chicken Tenders

The almond meal makes for a perfect, tender and flavorful chicken tender!

How To Serve

Serve your homemade chicken tenders warm with your favorite dipping sauces. They’re great on their own for dinner or perfect appetizers too.

How To Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat as needed.

Try More Chicken Tender Recipes