Crispy, Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Fingers Your Whole Family Will Love

Chicken tenders get an Italian-inspired upgrade with these insanely delicious chicken Parmesan fingers. Chicken breast cutlets are breaded in flavorful panko, Parmesan and herbs, then baked until crispy. Smothered in tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, they're like chicken Parm in easy finger food form. Kids and adults alike will devour these crispy, cheesy fingers! Let's discuss step-by-step how to make these a new family favorite.

Choose Chicken Breast Cutlets

Look for thin sliced chicken breast “cutlets” at your grocery store to make prep easy. You want tender meat without gristle. Cut any large pieces in half to make finger-sized.

Even Thinner is Okay

If you can only find very thin cutlets, just be extra gentle when breading and cooking to prevent burning.

Bread With Parmesan, Herbs and Panko

Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt/pepper. Coat chicken completely.

Don't Skimp on Coverage

Really press those cutlets into the breadcrumbs so they’re entirely encased for maximum crunch and flavor.

Bake Until Golden and Crispy

Arrange breaded fingers on a baking sheet. Bake at 425°F, flipping once, until deeply golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes. The high heat gets them nice and crispy.

Watch Closely

With the high heat, they can go from golden to burnt quickly. Keep an eye on them!

Smother in Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella

Remove fingers from oven and top with warmed marinara sauce. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and return to oven just until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Ooey Gooey Perfection

Be sure to use high-quality shredded mozzarella so it melts smoothly over the chicken for that perfect Parmesan finish.

Serve with Fun Dipping Sauces

Offer fun dipping options like ranch, marinara, or Caesar dressing for coating or dunking these irresistible chicken fingers. Kids especially will love customizing each bite.

Let Them Get Creative

Set out bowls so they can experiment mixing together sauces for ultimate flavor. The options are endless!

5 Frequently Asked Questions

How do you bread chicken so perfectly?

The secret is coating completely in flour first, then egg, then pressing into the breadcrumb mixture.

What type of breadcrumbs work best?

I love ultra-crispy panko, but regular dry breadcrumbs are great too.

How long does breaded uncooked chicken last?

Store coated raw chicken in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking.

Can I use jarred sauce instead?

Absolutely! Quality jarred tomato sauce saves time.

What dipping sauces do kids love?

Ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and Caesar dressing are kid-approved options.

In Summary

These crispy baked chicken Parmesan fingers are a surefire family favorite. Adults appreciate the elegant Italian flavors while kids go crazy over the crunchy coating and fun dipping sauces. Make a big batch because they will disappear fast!