Description
Succulent lemon pepper chicken tenders elevate weeknight dinners with bold Mediterranean flavors. Crispy exterior and juicy meat make these tender strips a quick, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken tenders (or chicken breasts sliced into strips)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 3 tbsps olive oil (or butter)
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Prep Tenders: Pat chicken tenders completely dry using clean paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, guaranteeing a perfectly crisp exterior during cooking.
- Craft Seasoning Blend: Whisk together granulated salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and bright lemon zest to create an explosive flavor profile.
- Season and Marinate: Thoroughly massage the aromatic spice mixture into each chicken tender, ensuring complete coverage and allowing the seasonings to infuse deeply for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Cook with Precision: Select your preferred cooking technique – whether sizzling on a hot grill, roasting in a preheated oven at 425°F, or achieving a golden sear in a cast-iron skillet – cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and develops a tantalizing golden-brown crust.
- Rest and Serve: Let the cooked tenders rest for 3-5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute, then plate and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of additional cracked pepper for an extra flavor burst.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels to guarantee a golden, crispy exterior and prevent steaming during cooking.
- Seasoning Technique: Gently press spice blend into chicken surface to maximize flavor penetration and ensure even coating across entire tender.
- Resting Ritual: Allow seasoned chicken to sit briefly before cooking, enabling spices to deeply infuse into meat and enhance overall taste profile.
- Cooking Flexibility: Adapt recipe to different dietary needs by using alternative seasoning blends or cooking methods like air frying for healthier options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg