Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
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Are you looking for a quick and tasty dinner idea? Garlic butter chicken tenders are the answer! These juicy and flavorful tenders cook up in just 15 minutes. You’ll love how the chicken turns out tender and succulent, coated in a simple but delicious garlic butter sauce.
This easy recipe uses common ingredients like olive oil, butter, chicken tenderloins, and spices. You’ll season the chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper as it cooks. Then you’ll add minced garlic and Italian seasoning for extra flavor. A quick pan sauce brings it all together. Serve these tenders with your favorite sides for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make these yummy garlic butter chicken tenders:
- 1 pound (450g) chicken tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
You’ll also need a skillet and spatula for cooking. This recipe makes about 3 servings.
The chicken tenderloins are the star of the dish. They’re perfect for soaking up all the tasty flavors. The butter and olive oil create a rich base for the sauce.
Paprika, salt, and pepper give the chicken a nice seasoning. Garlic adds a punch of flavor, while Italian seasoning brings in some herbs. Fresh parsley at the end gives a pop of color and freshness.
These simple ingredients come together to make a quick and tasty meal. You might already have most of them in your kitchen!
Instructions
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
Place chicken tenders in the pan. Sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
Flip the tenders. Season the other side. Cook for another 3 minutes.
Push chicken to one side of the pan. Melt the remaining butter in the empty space. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Sprinkle Italian seasoning over everything. Cook for 1 more minute, stirring gently.
Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the pan. Scrape the bottom to get all the tasty bits.
Take the pan off the heat. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.
Serve your garlic butter chicken tenders right away. They’re best when hot!
Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap out some ingredients in this garlic butter chicken tenders recipe. Here are some tasty options:
• Chicken: Try thin-sliced chicken breast or chicken thighs cut into strips.
• Oil: Swap olive oil for avocado or vegetable oil.
• Butter: Use ghee or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
• Seasonings:
- Replace paprika with smoked paprika or chili powder
- Swap Italian seasoning for herbs de Provence or dried oregano
• Garlic: Use 1 teaspoon garlic powder if you’re out of fresh cloves.
• Parsley: Try fresh basil, cilantro, or chives instead.
Can’t find chicken tenders? Cut boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch wide strips. They’ll work just as well in this recipe.
For a gluten-free meal, serve your tenders with roasted veggies instead of bread or pasta. Broccoli, green beans, or asparagus make great sides.
Want to add some heat? Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking. Your taste buds will thank you!
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make these garlic butter chicken tenders more diabetes-friendly, try these easy tweaks:
Use less butter. Cut the butter amount in half to 1 tablespoon total. This reduces fat and calories.
Skip the salt. Leave out the added salt to lower sodium. The other spices add plenty of flavor.
Add veggies. Serve the chicken with a side of roasted non-starchy veggies like broccoli or green beans.
Watch your portion size. Stick to 3-4 ounces of chicken per serving.
Try these cooking swaps:
- Use olive oil spray instead of oil to coat the pan
- Swap half the butter for chicken broth
- Use dried herbs instead of fresh to cut costs
For the sauce:
- Melt 1/2 tbsp butter with 2 tbsp low-sodium chicken broth
- Add garlic and herbs as directed
- Simmer 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened
The chicken will still be tender and flavorful with less added fat and salt. Enjoy your diabetes-friendly garlic butter chicken tenders!
Tips, Tricks & Storing
For the best garlic butter chicken tenders, use fresh garlic instead of jarred. Crush it just before cooking to get the strongest flavor.
Pat your chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the spices stick better and gives you a nice golden crust.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking. Leave some space between each tender so they brown evenly.
For extra flavor, try adding a splash of lemon juice at the end of cooking. It brightens up the dish nicely.
To store leftovers, let the chicken cool completely. Put it in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can reheat the tenders in a skillet over medium heat. Add a little butter to keep them moist. Or warm them in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook.
Freeze cooked tenders for up to 3 months. Wrap each one in plastic wrap, then put them all in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
