Description
This Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders recipe features tender chicken coated in a flavorful flour mixture, pan-fried to a golden crisp, and tossed in a luscious honey butter garlic sauce with a hint of soy. Quick and easy to prepare, it makes a perfect weeknight main dish served with rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce & Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the coating: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly to create an even flour mixture for dredging the chicken tenders.
- Dredge the chicken: Coat each chicken tender in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure an even, light coating that will crisp nicely when cooked.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken tenders and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to low in the same skillet. Add the butter and allow it to melt fully. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine sauce ingredients: Add the honey and soy sauce to the skillet, stirring to blend everything into a smooth sauce. Let it cook for a minute to begin thickening.
- Coat the chicken: Return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet. Toss them in the honey butter garlic sauce, making sure each piece is well coated. Simmer everything together for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the chicken.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the chicken tenders to a serving plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while cooking the garlic.
- You can substitute chicken thighs cut into strips if preferred instead of chicken tenders.
- To keep chicken juicy, avoid overcooking and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
