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Chicken Tenders Parmesan with Garlic Butter Pasta

Chicken Tenders Parmesan with Garlic Butter Pasta
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Savor crispy Chicken Tenders Parmesan with Garlic Butter Pasta, a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. This comforting dish features tender, breaded chicken tenders smothered in rich marinara and melted cheese alongside silky garlic butter pasta, creating a perfect balance of crispy, cheesy, and buttery flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Tenders Parmesan

  • Chicken tenders (about 1 lb, 450 g)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Flour, for dredging (about ½ cup)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Breadcrumbs (about 1 cup), preferably fresh
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (½ cup)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about ¼ to ½ cup)
  • Marinara sauce (about 1 cup)
  • Mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 cup)
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese (2 tbsp), for topping

For the Garlic Butter Pasta

  • Pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine, 8 oz / 225 g)
  • Butter (3 tbsp)
  • Garlic, minced (3 cloves)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh herbs (basil or parsley, chopped, optional, 2 tbsp)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken Tenders: Season the chicken tenders lightly with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, then dip into beaten eggs. Coat thoroughly with a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan to ensure a crunchy, flavorful crust.
  2. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the tenders for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels to keep them crisp without excess oil.
  3. Assemble the Parmesan Chicken: Place the fried tenders in a baking dish. Generously spoon marinara sauce over each piece, then top with shredded mozzarella and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Cook the Garlic Butter Pasta: While the chicken bakes, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat, add minced garlic, and sauté just until fragrant (30-60 seconds) without browning. Toss the cooked pasta in the garlic butter, seasoning with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if desired.
  5. Plate and Serve: Serve the hot Chicken Tenders Parmesan atop or beside a generous portion of garlic butter pasta for the perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Notes

  • Use fresh breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier coating.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while frying; cook in batches to maintain oil temperature and maximize crispiness.
  • Consider baking with a foil tent to melt cheese evenly without drying out the chicken.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to add to the garlic butter pasta for a silkier sauce.
  • Sauté garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness (about 30-60 seconds).

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tenders parmesan, garlic butter pasta, quick dinner, family-friendly, comfort food, crispy chicken, baked chicken parmesan

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/chicken-tenders-parmesan-with-garlic-butter-pasta/