10+ Chicken Tenderloin Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Chicken tenderloins are a versatile and popular ingredient in many kitchens. They cook quickly and can be prepared in various ways, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

You’ll find that chicken tenderloin recipes can be both simple and delicious, catering to different tastes and preferences.

From baking and grilling to sautéing, there are endless possibilities when cooking with chicken tenderloins. As you explore various recipes, you’ll discover how easy it is to create satisfying meals that your whole family will enjoy.

1) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are a tasty and quick meal you can make for your family. These tenderloins cook up juicy and full of flavor. Using a simple garlic butter sauce makes them even better.

You can have this dish ready in about 15 minutes. That’s perfect for busy weeknights. Just cook them on the stovetop and enjoy a delicious meal!

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Melt the butter in the skillet.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes.
4. Season the chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper.
5. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked.
6. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top before serving. Enjoy!

2) Teriyaki Oven-Baked Chicken Tenderloins

Teriyaki oven-baked chicken tenderloins are a delicious and easy meal. You can enjoy the sweet and savory flavors that teriyaki sauce brings to the chicken. They are perfect for busy nights or a family gathering.

To start, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This will ensure your chicken cooks evenly and gets a nice glaze from the sauce.

Coat the chicken tenderloins with teriyaki sauce before placing them on a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until they are cooked through.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Optional: sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
3. Add teriyaki sauce to the mixture.
4. Coat chicken tenderloins with teriyaki sauce.
5. Place on a lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked.

3) Quick Chicken Stir-Fry with Tenderloins

A quick chicken stir-fry with tenderloins is a perfect meal for busy weeknights. You can have it ready in just about 30 minutes. The tenderloins cook fast and stay juicy.

Start by gathering fresh veggies like bell peppers and broccoli. These add color and nutrients. You will also need a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil.

This dish works well with rice or noodles. It’s a great way to enjoy a tasty and healthy dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, etc.)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
2. Add chicken tenderloins and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Toss in mixed vegetables and stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Mix in soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles. Enjoy!

4) Pan-Seared Chicken Tenderloin with Paprika

Pan-seared chicken tenderloin with paprika is a simple and tasty dish. You can make it quickly for dinner on busy nights. The seasoning adds a nice flavor and the cooking method keeps the chicken juicy.

To start, gather your ingredients. Then, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Coat your chicken tenderloins with paprika, salt, and pepper for a flavorful crust.

Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side until it’s golden and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Serve it with your favorite sides for a delicious meal.

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenderloins
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season the chicken tenderloins with paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken in the skillet.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden.
5. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

5) Buttermilk Marinated Chicken Tenders

Buttermilk marinated chicken tenders are a tasty treat. The buttermilk makes the chicken tender and juicy. You’ll love the crispy coating when they are fried or baked.

To make these tenders, you will need to marinate them in seasoned buttermilk. You might add flavors like garlic, mustard, or hot sauce for an extra kick. After marinating, coat the tenders in breadcrumbs for a crunchy outer layer.

These chicken tenders can be made healthier by baking them instead of frying. Bake them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) until golden brown.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken tenderloins
• 1 pint buttermilk
• 1/2 cup pickle juice (optional)
• 2 heaping tablespoons mustard
• 2 heaping tablespoons hot sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Breadcrumbs for coating

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix buttermilk, pickle juice, mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken tenderloins to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off.
5. Coat each tenderloin in breadcrumbs.
6. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

6) Moist and Juicy Baked Chicken Tenderloins

Baked chicken tenderloins are a great option for a quick and tasty meal. The key to keeping them moist is cooking them at the right temperature.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). This high heat helps seal in the juices. Season the tenderloins with your favorite spices for extra flavor.

Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps keep them juicy!

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
2. Season chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. Place on a lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.
5. Let rest before serving.

7) Crispy Crumbed Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy crumbed air fryer chicken tenders are easy to make and full of flavor. You’ll love how quickly they cook and how little oil you need. These chicken tenders are crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

To prepare them, you’ll need chicken tenderloins, egg, and breadcrumbs. For extra flavor, you can add seasonings like garlic powder or paprika.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1 egg
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko works great)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, beat the egg.
3. Season the tenderloins with salt and pepper.
4. Dip each tenderloin in the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
5. Arrange the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
6. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes. Enjoy!

8) Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Tenderloin

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Tenderloin is a bright and tasty dish. The marinade combines fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs to give the chicken lots of flavor. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a summer barbecue.

To make the marinade, mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and your favorite herbs. Coat the chicken tenderloins in this mixture. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F (190°C). Grill each tenderloin for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they’re cooked through.

This dish pairs nicely with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh herbs (like parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
2. Coat chicken tenderloins in the marinade and let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat grill to 375°F (190°C).
4. Grill tenderloins for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.

9) Spicy Honey Garlic Tenderloins

Spicy Honey Garlic Tenderloins are a delicious choice for dinner. The combination of sweet honey and spicy garlic creates a flavorful sauce that makes the chicken tender and juicy.

To start, you’ll pan-fry the chicken until it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sauce adds a sticky sweetness with just the right kick to make your taste buds dance.

These tenderloins are perfect for serving with rice or vegetables. You can also enjoy them as a tasty appetizer at your next gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and chili flakes.
2. Season chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes until coated and heated.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

10) Herb-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Herb-crusted chicken tenders make a flavorful meal. The combination of herbs with a crispy coating is sure to please. You can easily prepare this dish for a quick dinner.

To start, gather fresh or dried herbs. Popular choices are rosemary, thyme, and parsley. These add a nice taste to the chicken.

The chicken tenders are usually coated in seasoned breadcrumbs or panko. This gives them a crunchy texture. You can bake or fry them for a delicious outcome.

Enjoy these tenders with your favorite dipping sauce or salad.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons mixed dried herbs (like rosemary and thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg, beaten

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix panko, herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Dip chicken tenders in the egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.