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Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are juicy, buttery melt-in-your-mouth chicken pieces that are versatile for many recipes from salads to pasta dishes. Cajun seasoned chicken tenders are skillet cooked then tossed in garlic butter right in the same pan.
Ready in just 20 minutes, this simple recipe has it all – loaded with fresh garlic, savory butter (which adds flavor and juiciness to the chicken), and it’s finished off with fresh parsley.
Serve them as a standalone entree or use them in many of my recipes like my Honey Mustard Chicken BLT Sliders, Blackened Chicken Alfredo, Alabama White Chicken Sliders, and many more!
These garlic butter chicken tenders will be your new favorite go-to chicken for weeknight recipes. Throw them in salads, keep them in your fridge for a high protein snacking, the options are endless.
And don’t let the color fool you, these have a kick of heat but the level of heat can be controlled to your liking.
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
- Versatile Go-To Recipe: you can serve these for dinner alongside veggies and a starch or dice them and add them to pastas, salads and sliders.
- Super Flavorful: the homemade cajun seasoning blend is smoky, herby and a little sweet. It’s truly unmatched!
- Tender and Juicy: chicken tenderloins are the juiciest cut of chicken and once tossed in butter, they just get even more tender.
- Controllable Heat Level: you can adjust the cayenne pepper seasoning to your liking or to ensure these are kid-friendly.
- Ready in 20 minutes: tossed in seasoning and pan seared, these are ready ready in no time making them weekday friendly.
- Use Tenders, Thighs or Breasts: you can make these with tenderloins, or just cube up chicken breasts. You can also use thighs instead.
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to get these garlic butter chicken tenders on your table tonight! (see the recipe card below for the measurements)
Chicken Tenderloins – 1.5 lbs of of chicken tenderloins are used. You can also use cubed chicken breasts or cut them into strips. But keep in mind this recipe can be used on chicken thighs and full breasts as well.
Cajun Seasoning – a homemade blend of paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, oregano and thyme.
Garlic – can you ever have too much fresh garlic? I have no self control. Go crazy here!
Butter – the better the butter, the better the taste. I love Kerrygold for this recipe.
Parsley – chopped parsley adds a fresh herbiness to the chicken.
Olive oil – just a few drizzles to coat the chicken before you season them and again for the pan before pan searing the chicken.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Season the chicken
Start by drizzling the tenderloins with olive oil (enough to lightly coat them). Liberally season them on both sides with 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared seasoning.
Step 2: Sear the chicken
Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add in the chicken tenders, being careful not to crowd the pan (you may need to cook in batches). Cook about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 3: Toss in the garlic butter
Reduce heat to low, scoot the tenders to the side of the pan and add in the butter to the empty side of the pan allowing it to melt. Add in the garlic and allow it to cook about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Toss the tenders well in the garlic butter, off the heat add the chopped parsley and serve.
My Favorite Tools
Large Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Teak Wood Spatula Set
Caraway Food Storage Containers
Looking For A Steak Version?
Be sure to check out this fan favorite – Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce.
What To Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
Serve these with buttery mashed potatoes, asparagus, green beans, roasted veggies (like cauliflower and sweet potatoes), macaroni and cheese, or top a salad with them.
However, these handheld tenders are just as good as an appetizer for game days. Throw these on a platter aside some dipping sauces and watch how fast they go!
Storage
You can store leftover garlic butter chicken tenders in the fridge for about 4 days. I like to pack them up with the pan juices so they retain some juices. Reheat them gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave (in their juices) until warmed through.
Looking for More Easy Weeknight Meals?
Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Gravy
Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice
Cajun Chicken Sausage Pasta
Did you love this recipe for this easy garlic butter chicken tenders recipe? Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback.
Don’t forget to tag me on IG with any photos; @BadBatchBaking and use #BadBatchBaking
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins chicken breasts or thighs can be used instead
- olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or regular
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper adjust to your heat preference
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Start by drizzling the tenderloins with olive oil (enough to lightly coat them). Liberally season on both sides with 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared seasoning.
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add in the chicken tenders, being careful not to crowd the pan (you may need to cook in batches). Cook about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Reduce heat to low, scoot the tenders to the side of the pan and add in the butter to the empty side of the pan allowing it to melt. Add in the garlic and allow it to cook about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Toss the tenders well in the garlic butter, off the heat add the chopped parsley and serve.
