Crispy Mozzarella Chicken Tenders with Rice and Green Beans (Family-Friendly Recipe)

Healthy crispy mozzarella chicken tenders served with green beans and rice

Crispy Mozzarella Chicken Tenders

If you love crispy chicken tenders, this recipe is for you! Originally for a chicken parmesan, I customized it and made it my own and decided to try out a Mozzarella chicken instead. In the breading I added seasonings that would balance out each other such as smoked paprika and ranch seasoning. These tenders paired perfectly with a BBQ sauce, green beans, and white rice.

  • Total prep time: 10 minutes
  • Total cook time: 30 minutes
  • Serving size: 4
  • Serving suggestions: Pair these tenders with a Sugar Free BBQ Sauce for added flavor
  • Calories and nutrition information: This recipe is low in calories, high in protein, and gluten-free, thanks to the use of lean chicken and a light, crunchy breading. You can estimate the calories and macronutrients using MyFitnessPal or Cronometer.

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Why You'll Love These Healthy Chicken Tenders

  • This family-friendly meal is packed with flavor and is the perfect option for a healthier weekday meal.
  • You probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry.
  • It's a healthier meal that is fairly simple to make.
  • This recipe uses healthier ingredients such as chicken, avocado oil, and eggs.

Feel free to customize the seasonings. If you want to swap out the seasonings, you can do so. If you want to use parmesan cheese instead of mozzarella cheese, that works as well. You can top with a Spaghetti Sauce or Alfredo Sauce if you prefer.

If you’re looking to make this recipe gluten-free, you can substitute the breading with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. If you're dairy-free, you can use dairy-free mozzarella or skip the cheese altogether for a lighter option. You can also add spaghetti noodles, or you can make a homemade Alfredo sauce like Jace did.

Why Homemade Chicken Tenders are Better Than Store-Bought

Did you know that most store-bought chicken tenders are loaded with preservatives and unnecessary sodium? Making them at home gives you control over the ingredients, making them a healthier, fresher option. Plus, they taste way better!

I chose this recipe due to its healthier ingredients – chicken filets, eggs, and ranch seasoning instead of ranch dressing (hello, zero calories!) For an even healthier option, you can use light or low-fat mozzarella cheese. Instead of vegetable oil, I used avocado oil, which is a healthier alternative with more heart-healthy fats.

Customization Ideas

The great thing about this recipe is you can customize it to your liking. If you want to try different seasonings, you can add black pepper or oregano. If you want it spicier, you can try adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

Why I Chose This Recipe

Over the years I've made a lot of terrible chicken recipes. Air Fryer chicken, to me, is flawless. I don't ever have to worry about the chicken being undercooked or overcooked. In fact, cooking the chicken tenders a few minutes over the recipe time tends to allow for more crisp. I love crunchy, flavorful chicken that is cooked to perfection.

Ingredients for Mozzarella Chicken Recipe

  • 4 thin chicken filets, cut into strips
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 cup (about 6 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • *1 tbsp ranch seasoning
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 eggs
  • Avocado oil (or substitute with vegetable oil, olive oil, or PAM spray)

How to Make Mozzarella Chicken Tenders

✓ Step #1: Spray a cooking sheet – Set your oven to 400 degrees and spray a cooking sheet with PAM or cooking spray.

✓ Step #2: Cut chicken breasts into tenders – Take your chicken breasts and cut them into tenders.

✓ Step #3: Combine the seasonings – In one bowl, add the garlic powder, mozzarella cheese, ranch seasoning, smoked paprika and onion powder.

✓ Step #4: Add the eggs – In a second bowl add the two eggs and whisk them together.

✓ Step #5: Dip chicken into egg mixture – Dip one chicken tender in the egg mixture and then the seasonings and add it to the cooking sheet. Do this with all chicken tenders.

Seasoned chicken on a cooking sheet, ready for the oven.

✓ Step #6: Drizzle avocado oil over the chicken – Drizzle avocado oil over the chicken.

✓ Step #7: Cook for 30 minutes – Cook for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. Once you flip, spray with PAM or cooking spray for the remaining 15 minutes.

Note: The chicken should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. If you want extra crispiness, cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overcooking.

Crispy baked mozzarella chicken tenders fresh out of the oven.

✓ Step #8: Serve – Serve with green beans and instant white rice. You can also serve with a Sugar Free BBQ Sauce.

Storage & Leftover Tip

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few minutes, or for a crispier texture, warm them up in the oven at 375°F for 10–12 minutes.

If You Love These Tenders, Try My Other Chicken Recipes

Easy Chicken Hibachi Bowl
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Easy Chicken and Waffles Recipe

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