Cheese-Stuffed Baked Chicken Tenders

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken tenders filled with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, baked until golden and irresistible. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs chicken tenders, grated Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Step 2: Carefully butterfly each of the 1 lb chicken tenders by slicing horizontally without cutting all the way through.
  3. Step 3: Insert one mozzarella cheese stick strip into the center of each butterflied chicken tender, then fold the chicken back around the cheese, securing with toothpicks if needed.
  4. Step 4: In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Place 1/2 cup all-purpose flour in a separate dish and 2 beaten eggs in another.
  6. Step 6: Dredge each stuffed chicken tender first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with the Parmesan-panko mixture.
  7. Step 7: Arrange the tenders on the prepared baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crisp.
  8. Step 8: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cheese-Stuffed Baked Chicken Tenders take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cheese-Stuffed Baked Chicken Tenders?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken tenders from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cheese-Stuffed Baked Chicken Tenders?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cheese-Stuffed Baked Chicken Tenders for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cheese-Stuffed Baked Chicken Tenders?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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