Throw Raw Chicken Tenderloins in a Casserole Dish and Add 4 Simple Ingredients for an Easy Family Dinner

Step 4: Bake Until the Chicken Is Fully Cooked

Place the uncovered casserole dish into your preheated oven.

Bake until the chicken is cooked through. Depending on the size and thickness of your tenderloins and your particular oven, this will often take approximately 25–35 minutes.

Cooking time is only a guide. The safest and most reliable way to determine whether chicken is ready is with a food thermometer.

Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point.

If you want a more golden surface, you can briefly use the broiler at the end of cooking. Watch the casserole closely because Parmesan can brown quickly under intense heat.

Once finished, remove the casserole from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for several minutes before serving.

What Makes This Chicken So Flavorful?

The simplicity of the recipe is part of its appeal.

Mayonnaise might sound unusual if you haven’t baked chicken with it before, but it works very well as a coating. Because it contains fat and eggs, it creates a rich topping and helps other seasonings stick to the chicken.

Parmesan is another important component. As the chicken cooks, the cheese adds savory flavor and helps create a delicious surface.

Garlic powder distributes evenly through the mixture without requiring any chopping, while Italian seasoning typically provides a blend of herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, or thyme.

Together, these ingredients transform plain chicken tenderloins into something much more interesting with minimal preparation.

What to Serve With Baked Chicken Tenderloins

One advantage of this dish is that it pairs well with many different sides.

For a classic comfort-food dinner, serve the chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans. The potatoes are particularly good with any flavorful juices or creamy topping left in the casserole dish.

Rice is another easy choice. White rice, brown rice, or seasoned rice can turn a few chicken tenderloins into a complete and satisfying meal.

For something lighter, serve the chicken alongside roasted broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, carrots, or a fresh garden salad.

Pasta works wonderfully too. A simple buttered pasta or pasta tossed with olive oil and herbs won’t compete with the rich Parmesan chicken.

You could even slice leftover chicken and put it into a wrap or on top of a salad for lunch the following day.

Can You Use Chicken Breasts Instead?

Yes, although the cooking time will probably change.

Whole chicken breasts are generally much thicker than tenderloins, so they may require additional time in the oven. If using particularly large chicken breasts, you can slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets before baking.

Again, don’t rely solely on a timer when cooking poultry. Check the internal temperature with a food thermometer.

You can also make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if that is what you have available. Their texture and cooking time will differ somewhat, but the creamy Parmesan topping pairs nicely with them as well.