Cheese-Topped Baked Chicken Tenders with Garlic Butter
Juicy chicken tenders baked with a savory garlic butter sauce and finished with a melted cheese topping that kids love. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 32 minutes pairs chicken tenderloins, unsalted butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish large enough to hold 1 lb chicken tenderloins in a single layer.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter, then add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Remove the garlic butter from heat and stir in 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Place the chicken tenderloins in the baking dish and brush each piece generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken, followed by 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 18-22 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Step 7: Remove from the oven and garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheese-Topped Baked Chicken Tenders with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (10 min prep + 22 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-Topped Baked Chicken Tenders with Garlic Butter?
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 tenderloins from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheese-Topped Baked Chicken Tenders with Garlic Butter?
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-Topped Baked Chicken Tenders with Garlic Butter 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-Topped Baked Chicken Tenders with Garlic Butter?
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.
