Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders is a quick and delicious stovetop recipe featuring tender chicken coated in a golden crust and smothered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with a hint of heat. This meal is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with jasmine rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- ¼ cup (30g) all purpose flour (gluten free if preferred)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds (650g) chicken tenderloins
Sauce and Cooking
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Flour Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the all purpose flour with salt and ground black pepper. Dredge the chicken tenders in this flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated, then shake off the excess flour.
- Cook Chicken in Batches: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add half the chicken tenders in a single layer and cook each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden brown crust forms. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove cooked chicken to a plate and melt the remaining butter to cook the second batch similarly.
- Deglaze the Pan: Add about ¼ cup of water to the hot skillet and scrape the bottom to lift any browned bits. Allow the liquid to reduce slightly, which will add flavor to the sauce.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey, soy sauce or tamari, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat through and begin thickening the sauce.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return all the chicken tenders to the skillet, flipping each piece to fully coat in the honey garlic sauce. Let them warm together for a minute to meld flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the chicken tenders over jasmine rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice as preferred.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, avoid crowding the pan when frying the chicken; cook in batches as suggested.
- For a gluten free version, use gluten free flour and tamari sauce instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Find it online: http://bitezly.com/honey-garlic-chicken-tenders-recipe/
