🥙 Crispy Greek Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders (or chicken breast strips)

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

• Cooking spray or olive oil for baking

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken

   • In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.

   • Add chicken tenders and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for maximum flavor).

2. Prepare the Coating

   • In a shallow dish, mix panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese.

3. Coat the Chicken

   • Remove chicken from marinade and dredge each piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

4. Bake 

   • Oven method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place tenders on a greased baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

5. Serve

   • Garnish with parsley and serve hot with tzatziki sauce or lemon wedges.

❓ Q&A

Q1: Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
👉 Yes, but Greek yogurt is thicker and sticks better to the chicken, giving a creamier and tangier flavor.

Q2: How do I make them extra crispy?
👉 Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs, and lightly spray with olive oil before baking/air frying.

Q3: Can I shallow fry instead of baking/air frying?
👉 Yes, you can pan-fry in a little olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through.

Q4: What dipping sauces go best with these tenders?
👉 Tzatziki, garlic aioli, hummus, or even a lemon-garlic yogurt dip pair perfectly.

Q5: Can I freeze them?
👉 Yes! Freeze uncooked breaded tenders on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 400°F for about 25 minutes.