Baked Garlic Parmesan Boneless Chicken Bites (Half Baked Harvest Style)

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Welcome to my kitchen, friends! Today I'm sharing one of my absolute favorite weeknight dinner recipes that never fails to please everyone at the table. These baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated with the most incredible garlic parmesan sauce that will have you licking your fingers!

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Overhead view of garlic parmesan chicken bites with creamy dipping sauce and fries — Golden garlic parmesan chicken bites served with creamy dip and fries.

If you're feeling sad, just eat this. Trust me, it'll help. There's something magical about the combination of crispy panko coating, tender chicken, and that buttery garlic parmesan sauce that just makes everything better. Plus, they're baked instead of fried, so you can feel a little less guilty about going back for seconds (or thirds... I won't judge!).

These baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites are inspired by restaurant-style appetizers but so much better because you control the ingredients. They're perfect for game day, movie night, or whenever you need a crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together with minimal effort.

What you'll love about this baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites

They're incredibly crispy without deep-frying, thanks to the panko breadcrumb coating and the wire rack baking method
The garlic parmesan sauce is buttery, rich, and clings perfectly to each chicken bite for maximum flavor
They're versatile - serve them as an appetizer with dipping sauces, as a main dish with sides, or even in a wrap or salad

Recipe Ingredients

Everything you need to make these mouthwatering baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites is probably already in your pantry and fridge!

Chicken tenderloins
Panko breadcrumbs
Parmesan cheese
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Eggs
Unsalted butter
Fresh garlic
Onion powder
Garlic salt
Cooking spray

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Ingredients notes

Chicken tenderloins: These work best because they're already the perfect size and stay super tender, but you can substitute chicken breasts cut into strips if needed
Panko breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are the secret to extra crispy coating - don't substitute regular breadcrumbs if you can help it
Parmesan cheese: For best results, use freshly grated parmesan rather than the pre-grated stuff in the green container - it melts better and has more flavor

How to make baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites

While the full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post, here's a quick overview of how these delicious baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites come together:

Raw chicken tenderloins coated in garlic parmesan seasoning before baking — Marinated chicken tenderloins prepped for baked garlic parmesan bites.

Bowl of golden-brown baked garlic parmesan chicken bites in parchment paper — Crispy baked garlic parmesan chicken bites fresh from the oven.

Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare your baking sheet with a greased wire rack.
Cut chicken tenderloins into bite-sized pieces, about 1½ inches each.
Create your breading station: panko mixture in one bowl, beaten eggs in another.
Dip each chicken piece in egg, then coat thoroughly in the panko mixture.
Arrange on the wire rack and spray lightly with cooking oil.
Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
While chicken bakes, prepare the garlic parmesan sauce by combining all sauce ingredients.
Toss the hot chicken bites in the sauce until evenly coated.
Serve immediately while hot and crispy!

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Baked Garlic Parmesan Boneless Chicken Wings Half Baked Harvest image 2

Pro tips

You guys, this is so easy to make! For extra crispy chicken bites, make sure not to overcrowd your baking sheet - leave a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate around them.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator storage: Store leftover baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The coating won't stay as crispy, but they'll still taste great!
Freezing: You can freeze these before adding the sauce. Place cooked and cooled chicken bites on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy. You can also microwave them, but they won't be as crispy.

Additions & Substitutions

Additions:

Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture for an herby twist
Mix in 2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce to the garlic parmesan sauce for a spicy kick
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving for a pop of color and freshness

Substitutions:

Use chicken breasts cut into chunks instead of tenderloins
Substitute gluten-free panko for a gluten-free version
Replace half the butter with olive oil for a slightly lighter sauce
Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a dairy-free option (though the flavor will be different)

FAQs about this baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites

Can I use frozen chicken tenderloins for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw them completely first and pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks properly.

How can I make the garlic parmesan sauce less rich?

You can substitute half the butter with olive oil or reduce the amount of butter by 2-3 tablespoons while keeping all other ingredients the same.

Are there any vegetarian alternatives to this recipe?

Absolutely! Try using firm tofu or cauliflower florets instead of chicken. The breading and sauce work beautifully with both.

What Can I Serve with baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites?

These versatile baked garlic parmesan boneless chicken bites pair wonderfully with so many sides! I love serving them with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or crispy potato wedges. They're also delicious alongside pasta tossed with a little olive oil and herbs, or with steamed rice to soak up that amazing sauce.

If you try this recipe, I'd be thrilled if you'd leave a comment below letting me know how it turned out! Your feedback means the world to me and helps other readers too.

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