Crispy Greek Chicken Tenders

Golden, crunchy, juicy chicken tenders coated in Greek-inspired herbs and spices, perfect for dinner, wraps, salads, or dipping!

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1½ lbs chicken tenders
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Crispy Coating

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp paprika

Optional Greek Dip

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp cucumber, finely grated
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, mix:
   • Greek yogurt
   • olive oil
   • garlic
   • lemon juice
   • lemon zest
   • oregano
   • paprika
   • onion powder
   • salt
   • pepper
2. Add chicken tenders and coat well.
3. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours for more flavor).

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

1. In a shallow bowl combine:
   • panko breadcrumbs
   • Parmesan
   • parsley
   • oregano
   • paprika
2. Mix well.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

1. Remove chicken from marinade.
2. Press each tender into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.

Step 4: Cook

Oven Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place tenders on a parchment-lined baking tray.
3. Lightly spray with cooking oil.
4. Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.

Air Fryer Method

1. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
2. Arrange tenders in a single layer.
3. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 5: Make the Dip

Mix all dip ingredients together until creamy and chilled.

Serving Ideas

• Serve with tzatziki or garlic yogurt dip
• Pair with Greek salad
• Stuff into pita wraps
• Serve with roasted potatoes or rice

Q&A

Q1: Can I use chicken breasts instead?

Yes! Slice chicken breasts into strips for tender-style pieces.

Q2: How do I make them extra crispy?

Spray lightly with oil before baking or air frying, and use panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunch.

Q3: Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal.

Q4: How long can I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Q5: Can I freeze them?

Yes. Freeze cooked tenders for up to 2 months and reheat in the oven or air fryer.

Q6: What sauces go well with these?

Tzatziki, spicy feta dip, garlic aioli, ranch, or honey mustard all pair beautifully.

Q7: Can I pan-fry instead?

Yes! Fry in shallow oil over medium heat for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Q8: What sides work best?

Greek salad, lemon rice, roasted veggies, fries, or cucumber salad are all great choices.