Description

These Mozzarella Lava Chicken Tenders are the ultimate cheesy comfort food! Crispy on the outside, with a gooey mozzarella cheese center that’ll melt in your mouth. Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, these chicken tenders are easy to make and irresistible to eat. Whether served as an appetizer or a main dish with marinara dipping sauce, they’re guaranteed to be a hit at any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb chicken tenders
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken tenders between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to an even thickness.
Stuff with Cheese: Take a small amount of shredded mozzarella and place it in the center of each chicken tender. Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese.
Dredge in Flour: In a shallow dish, combine the flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dredge each stuffed chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
Dip & Coat: Dip the floured chicken tenders into the beaten eggs, then coat them with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Bake Chicken: Place the coated chicken tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve with Marinara: Drizzle with marinara sauce and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

You can use pre-shredded mozzarella for convenience, but fresh mozzarella will give you an even creamier texture.
For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the flour mixture.
If you don’t have marinara, any tomato-based dipping sauce will work just as well.
To make the chicken tenders extra crispy, consider adding a light spray of cooking oil before baking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Main Course, Appetizer
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American, Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken tender
Calories: 250 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Mozzarella Lava Chicken Tenders, cheesy chicken tenders, baked chicken tenders, mozzarella stuffed chicken, crispy chicken tenders, easy chicken recipes