Crispy Chicken Parm Bites with Pesto Marinara
Indulge in these delightful Crispy Chicken Parm Bites, a crowd-pleasing appetizer that perfectly combines the rich flavors of chicken, Parmesan cheese, and garlic with a touch of zesty lemon. Each bite is coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust and served alongside a vibrant tomato-pesto sauce for dipping. Perfect for parties, game nights, or as a delicious dinner option, these bites are easy to make and even easier to devour.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1 cup (none)
eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
breadcrumbs
3/4 cup (none)
parmigiano-reggiano cheese
3/4 cup (grated)
granulated garlic or garlic powder
1 teaspoon (none)
lemon zest
2 teaspoons (grated)
fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
chicken tenders
2 lbs (cut in thirds)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
crushed tomatoes
15 ounces (none)
basil pesto
1/4 cup (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one filled with all-purpose flour, a second with the lightly beaten eggs, and a third mixing together the breadcrumbs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, granulated garlic, lemon zest, and chopped parsley.
3
Take the chicken tenders and season them generously with salt and pepper. For each piece, dredge it first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the egg, and finally coat it well in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks.
4
Place the breaded chicken bites on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
5
In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add the chicken bites and cook for about 5-6 minutes, turning once, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6
While the chicken bites are frying, pour the crushed tomatoes into a small pot and heat over medium heat until they begin to simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil pesto until well combined.
7
Once the chicken bites are golden and cooked through, transfer them to a serving platter. Serve them warm alongside the flavorful tomato-pesto sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Chicken Parm Bites?
These are small pieces of breaded chicken flavored with Parmesan, garlic, and lemon, served with a tomato-pesto dipping sauce.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of chicken tenders cut into thirds.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) as part of the preparation process.
How do I set up the breading station?
Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a breadcrumb-Parmesan-herb mixture.
What is in the breadcrumb coating?
The coating consists of breadcrumbs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, granulated garlic, lemon zest, and chopped parsley.
How do I season the chicken?
Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper before beginning the breading process.
What is the correct order for coating the chicken?
Dredge the chicken in flour, dip it in the egg, and then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture.
How do I make the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken?
Press the breadcrumb mixture gently onto the chicken pieces to ensure the coating adheres well.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for frying the chicken bites.
How long should the chicken bites cook?
Cook the bites in a skillet for 5-6 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through.
How do I avoid overcrowding the pan?
Work in batches to fry the chicken, which ensures they cook evenly and become crispy.
How do I make the Pesto Marinara sauce?
Simmer crushed tomatoes in a small pot, then remove from heat and stir in the basil pesto.
What kind of tomatoes are used for the sauce?
Use 15 ounces of crushed tomatoes to create the base for the dipping sauce.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes, you can use either homemade or store-bought basil pesto for the sauce.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 8 servings.
What type of cheese is used in the breading?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
How much flour is required?
You will need 1 cup of all-purpose flour for the breading station.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe requires 2 eggs, which should be lightly beaten.
What type of parsley is used?
Use 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.
Is lemon zest included in the recipe?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest are added to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavor.
Can I use garlic powder?
Yes, you can use either 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic or garlic powder.
Why should I use parchment paper?
Lining a baking sheet with parchment paper makes the cleanup process much easier.
Is this dish served warm?
Yes, the chicken bites should be served warm alongside the flavorful tomato-pesto sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for parties?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties and game nights.
How much breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is preheating the oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
What is the final step of the recipe?
The final step is transferring the cooked chicken to a platter and serving it with the dip.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized under 'Chicken'.
How much basil pesto is needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of basil pesto to mix with the crushed tomatoes.
How do I prepare the chicken tenders?
Cut the chicken tenders into thirds before seasoning them with salt and pepper.