Enjoy your delicious and easy pan-fried chicken tenders with the flavorful lemon and garlic aioli dipping sauce. They go well with salad in Parmigiano cups, polenta fries, or honey-glazed carrots as a side dish for a full weeknight meal.
Both kids and adults love chicken tenders because they are versatile and tasty. Their naturally tender texture makes them a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy addition to a meal prep plan. However, chicken that is cooked incorrectly can become dry and flavorless. How long should you cook chicken tenders on the stove so that they are always soft and juicy? Let’s find out.
What Are Chicken Tenders?
Chicken tenders are pieces of meat from the tenderloin part of the chicken breast. They are also known as chicken strips or chicken fillets. This part of their anatomy helps explain why they taste naturally tender and mild. When prepared correctly, chicken tenders can be succulent and delicious.
Benefits of Cooking Tenders on the Stovetop
There are several advantages to cooking chicken tenders on the stovetop rather than oven-baking or grilling them
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Quick cooking time – Stovetop cooking is one of the fastest methods with tenders ready in just 6-8 minutes. This makes it ideal for quick weeknight meals.
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Easy monitoring – You can easily monitor browning and flip halfway through cooking. This allows you to adjust heat as needed.
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Flavor development – The direct heat helps develop a lovely browned exterior full of flavor.
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Temperature control – It’s easier to control the temperature on the stove compared to the oven. This prevents over or undercooking.
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Versatile – Stovetop cooking allows you to easily incorporate flavors through sauces, spices, etc.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Tenders on the Stove
Follow these simple steps for foolproof chicken tenders:
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 2 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, avocado, etc.)
- Salt and pepper
- Additional seasonings of choice
Prep the Tenders
- Rinse the tenders under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Trim off any excess fat or sinew.
- Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Add any other spices or herbs.
Heat the Pan
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil.
- Allow the oil to shimmer, indicating it’s hot enough for cooking.
Cook the Tenders
- Gently add the chicken tenders to the pan in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes without flipping or moving them. This allows the crust to develop.
- Flip each tender and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side.
Check for Doneness
- Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part or cut into one to check it’s white throughout and juicy.
Finish and Serve
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.
- Serve with desired sauces, sides, on salads, sandwiches, etc.
Handy Tips for Perfect Results
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Pat dry – This helps the chicken brown instead of steam.
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Don’t crowd the pan – Overcrowding steams the chicken. Cook in batches.
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Use a meat thermometer – It’s the only way to accurately check doneness.
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Rest before cutting – Resting allows juices to reabsorb for a moist, tender bite.
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Cook at moderate heat – Too high of heat can burn the exterior before the inside cooks.
Cooking Duration for Chicken Tenders on the Stove
On average, it takes 6 to 8 minutes for chicken tenders to cook all the way through on the stove. The exact duration depends on a few factors:
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Thickness – Thicker tenders may need a minute or two longer.
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Stove temperature – Higher heat will cook faster but risks burning.
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Amount of tenders – Cooking large batches will increase cook time.
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Preparation method – Breaded tenders may cook slightly faster than plain.
The best ways to keep meat from under or over cooking are to use a meat thermometer and check often for signs of doneness. Remove them as soon as they register 165°F internally.
Delicious Seasonings and Serving Ideas
Chicken tenders pair well with an array of seasonings and sauces:
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Herbs and spices: paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme
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Sauces for dipping: barbecue, ranch, honey mustard, sweet and sour
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Meal additions: sandwiches, wraps, salad topping, grain bowls
Chicken tenders are incredibly versatile. While the stovetop offers a quick and easy cooking method, you can also bake, grill, or air fry them for variety.
Common Questions about Cooking Chicken Tenders
What temperature should I cook chicken tenders to?
Chicken is safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking to this temperature kills any potential bacteria.
Can I use frozen tenders?
It’s best to thaw frozen tenders in the fridge overnight before cooking. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven cooking.
What oil should I use to cook them?
Opt for high smoke point oils like canola, vegetable, avocado, or grapeseed oil. Avoid olive oil as it can burn at high heat.
How do I keep them from drying out?
Don’t overcook, use moderate heat, baste with butter or oil, and let them rest before cutting. Marinating also helps keep moisture.
What should I do if they burn?
If your tenders blacken or burn before the inside cooks, lower the heat. Add a splash of water to stop the burning, cover, and finish cooking at lower heat.
For Deliciously Juicy Tenders, Master the Stovetop
Cooking chicken tenders on the stove takes just minutes but is vital for achieving tender, flavorful results. Follow the recipe steps, use a thermometer, and avoid overcrowding the pan. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have crave-worthy chicken tenders that both kids and adults will devour. Experiment with exciting new seasonings and serving ideas once you’ve mastered the stovetop cooking method.
Why you’ll love these easy chicken tenders
- Juicy and Flavorful Chicken Tenders: This recipe makes chicken tenders that are tender and juicy, with a great mix of herbs and spices. Since the chicken isn’t breaded, its natural flavor can really shine through.
- Quick and Easy Recipe: The recipe is simple and can be made in a short amount of time, which makes it a great choice for a quick dinner during the week.
- Seasoning That Can Be Changed: The seasoning is easy to change to your liking. This recipe can be changed to suit your taste, whether you like different herbs or spices.
- Let’s make a lemon and garlic aioli. This aioli is tangy and creamy, and it goes great with the chicken. That sauce is easy to make at home and really makes your food taste great.
- No Need for Deep Frying: This recipe doesn’t call for deep frying, so it’s better for you than breaded and fried chicken tenders. Great for meal prep as well.
Chicken Tenders:
- Chicken tenders or chicken strips (about 10-12)
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Dried parsley
- Dried oregano
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Butter
For the Lemon and Garlic Aioli:
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic, minced
- Lemon juice and lemon zest
- Salt and black pepper to taste
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to fry chicken tenders
Cook the Chicken Tenders: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season the chicken tenders with salt, black pepper, and dried seasonings. You can use other preferred herbs or seasonings as well. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
Once the pan is hot, add the seasoned chicken tenders to the skillet.
Cook for four to five minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown and no longer pink in the middle. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the tenders. Make sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve: Once the chicken tenders are cooked, remove them from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve the pan-fried chicken tenders with the lemon and garlic aioli as a dipping sauce on the side.
You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity, delicious flavors, and the flexibility it offers for personalizing the seasonings and sides to match your preferences. It’s a tasty and satisfying dish that’s easy to prepare.
Here are some common recipe substitutions for pan-fried chicken tenders without breading:
- You can use turkey tenders, pork tenderloin, or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips instead of chicken tenders.
- Seasoning Substitutions: If you don’t want to use paprika, cumin, chili powder, or Italian seasoning, you can use any other herb or seasoning you like.
- Other Oils You Can Use: If you’d rather not use butter, you can pan-fry with vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or even coconut oil.
- Others You Can Use Instead of the Lemon and Garlic Aioli: You can use ketchup, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or teriyaki sauce instead of the aioli.
- Gluten-Free Substitutions: If you need a gluten-free option, make sure the sauces and seasonings you use are also gluten-free. You could also use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of bread crumbs.
1. Smoky BBQ Chicken Tenders:
- Before you pan-fry the chicken tenders, season them with a smoky BBQ or seasoning blend. Serve with your favorite bbq sauce for dipping.
2. Mediterranean-Inspired Chicken Tenders:
- Mediterranean herbs, such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper, can be used to season the chicken tenders. Serve with pita bread and tzatziki sauce, or your favorite sides.
3. Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Tenders:
- Spread honey mustard sauce on top of the cooked chicken tenders or use it to dip them in.
- Cast iron skillet is one of my favorite saute pans.
Store leftover pan-fried chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This healthy meal makes great leftovers to toss in a salad the next day.