One thing is for sure: you don’t have to give up your favorite chicken tenders just because you’re an adult. Actually, there are some really tasty chicken tenderloin recipes that make more than just chicken tenders. They make pasta, tacos, and hearty appetizers, among other things. To be clear, we still think these air fryer chicken tenders are a great choice for dinner, and we think you should too. These 20 chicken tenderloin recipes have something for every mood (whether its adult you or your inner child calling the shots)!.
What is chicken tenderloin, you might be wondering? Chicken tenderloin (AKA chicken tenders or chicken breast tenders) are attached to the chicken breast and, as you might expect, taste exactly the same. While maybe not as well known as beef tenderloin or pork tenderloin, chicken tenderloin is a super-quick-cooking protein thats great if youre not up to cooking a whole chicken breast. Tenders are usually sold along with the chicken breasts or on their own, so you can feel free to use these cuts interchangeably (just slice the chicken breast about 1/2″ in thickness) to get the same result in your stir-fries or kebabs.
So if youve yet to swap chicken tenders in place of chicken breast for your weeknight standbys, its time to jump on that. Chicken tenderloin is one of our favorite picks for dishes like slow-cooker chicken tinga tacos and one-pot meals (like our one-pot shawarma chicken and orzo skillet) since they cook up so much more quickly than larger cuts and are great for smaller groups.
If you’re looking for a kid-approved twist using chicken tenders, enter this cornflake-crusted chicken recipe. Perfectly sliced chicken is coated in a blend of crispy cornflake crumbs, and seasoned just right for the extra pop of flavor. The golden-brown exterior showcases the distinct texture of those crunchy cornflakes. These tenders aren’t just a meal; they’re an adventure on a plate. Get the Cornflake-Crusted Chicken Tenders recipe.
A certain cut of meat from the chicken breast is called a chicken tenderloin. It is also called a chicken tender or a chicken strip. Long, thin strips of meat called tenderloins come from the bottom of the breast.
Chicken tenderloins are often used for quick meals during the week because they have a few benefits.
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They cook faster than chicken breasts, usually in 15 minutes or less.
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The meat is naturally tender and juicy without a lot of preparation.
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You can buy tenderloins pre-cut for convenience
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They are budget-friendly and often sold in larger packs.
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Kids love chicken tenders for their mild flavor and easy-to-eat size.
So if you have chicken tenderloins in the fridge or freezer, what delicious meals can you whip up? Here are over 30 recipe ideas to try.
Breaded and Baked Chicken Tenders
The most classic way to cook chicken tenderloins is to bread and bake them into crispy, crunchy chicken fingers or nuggets. They make a quick and easy dinner or snack.
Some easy baked chicken tender recipes to try:
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Southern Fried Chicken Strips – Tenderloins coated in seasoned flour and spices for crispy, irresistible chicken fingers.
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Buffalo Chicken Tenders – Chicken tenders baked with a spicy, tangy Buffalo wing sauce coating. Serve with blue cheese dressing.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – For a healthier crunchy version, coat and air fry tenderloins to crispy perfection.
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Bisquick Chicken Tenders – Dip chicken in an egg wash and Bisquick seasoned coating for quick oven-baked tenders.
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Dorito Chicken Tenders – Use crushed nacho cheese Doritos for a flavorful, spicy breading.
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Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders: For a fun taste, coat the tenders in a mix of everything bagel seasoning.
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Cornflake Chicken Tenders – Cornflakes make a deliciously crunchy gluten-free breading.
Grilled Chicken Tender Recipes
For quick and easy meals, you can also grill chicken tenderloins. Try these grilled chicken tender recipe ideas:
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Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders – Grill tenderloins and brush with a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze.
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BBQ Chicken Tenders – Toss grilled tenders in your favorite barbecue sauce.
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Lime Ginger Chicken Tenders – Marinate tenders in lime juice, ginger, and cilantro before grilling.
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Mango Grilled Chicken – Make a bright mango salsa to top grilled chicken tenders.
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Chicken Satay – Skewer marinated chicken and grill, served with peanut dipping sauce.
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Chicken Fajitas – Sizzle up a sheet pan of chicken, peppers and onions for easy fajitas.
Chicken Tenders Salads and Wraps
Chicken tenderloins work great in main dish salads and wraps because they cook fast and stay tender. Some delicious salad and wrap recipes:
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Buffalo Chicken Wrap – Toss buffalo chicken tenders in a wrap with veggies and ranch dressing.
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Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad – Top chopped salad greens with breaded chicken tenders, bacon, egg, and blue cheese.
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Thai Chicken Wraps – Fill wraps with sesame ginger chicken tenders and crunchy slaw.
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Chicken Caesar Salad – Grill or pan-fry chicken tenders and serve chopped on a classic Caesar salad.
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Chicken Fajita Salad – Top salad greens with seasoned chicken tenders, peppers, onions, cheese, and tortilla strips.
Easy Skillet Meals with Chicken Tenders
Thanks to their quick cooking time, chicken tenderloins are perfect for fast stovetop skillet meals. Some easy ideas:
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Lemon Chicken Piccata – Saute chicken in a lemony pan sauce with butter, wine, and capers.
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Chicken Fajitas – Cook chicken with sliced peppers and onions for easy fajitas.
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Grecian Chicken – Saute chicken tenders with tomatoes, olives, garlic and oregano.
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Skillet Chicken Jambalaya – Make a quick chicken and rice jambalaya in one pan.
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Chicken Stir Fry – Stir fry chicken tenders with broccoli, carrots, peppers and teriyaki sauce.
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Chicken Marsala – Cook chicken in a savory Marsala wine mushroom sauce.
Chicken Tenders globally inspired dishes
The mild flavor of chicken tenderloins also shines in globally inspired dishes across cuisines. Try recipes like:
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Chicken Satay – Marinate and grill Southeast Asian chicken skewers.
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Chicken Tikka Masala – Simmer chicken in an aromatic Indian tomato curry sauce.
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Chicken Tacos – Season chicken with taco spices and pile into soft tortillas.
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Chicken Parmesan – Bread chicken cutlets and top with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
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Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry – Cook chicken tenders with a sweet and sticky teriyaki glaze.
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Chicken Shawarma – Season chicken with Middle Eastern spices and grill.
Kid-Friendly Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
Chicken tenderloins are a popular choice for picky eaters and kids because they are so mild in flavor. Some kid-friendly recipe ideas include:
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Kids love crunchy air fried chicken tenders for dipping in ketchup or ranch.
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Chicken Quesadillas – Fill tortillas with chicken, cheese, and other toppings.
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Chicken Noodle Soup – Simmer chicken tenders in chicken broth with noodles and veggies.
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Breaded Chicken Tenders – Bake classic crispy chicken fingers kids will devour.
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Chicken Nuggets – Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and bread and bake into nuggets.
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Honey Mustard Chicken – Kids love this sweet and tangy saucy chicken. Serve over rice or pasta.
Bonus: Freeze and Reheat Chicken Tenderloins
Chicken tenderloins hold up very well to freezing. You can individually freeze cooked chicken tenders to reheat throughout the week for easy meals.
Some tips:
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Cool chicken completely before freezing to prevent frost burn.
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Place chicken strips in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
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Transfer frozen tenders to a freezer bag or container with parchment between layers.
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Reheat frozen chicken tenders in the oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through (time varies based on amount).
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You can also reheat frozen breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-8 minutes for quick crispiness.
Chicken tenderloins offer a versatile and budget-friendly way to put dinner on the table fast. With flavorful sauces, spices, breadings and global flavors, you can transform simple chicken tenders into an exciting menu of meals for the whole family.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Crispy chicken tenders without the deep fryer? YES! These air fryer chicken tenders only need 10 minutes to get golden and crispy. This is a quick and easy meal that can be made during the week. The honey mustard dipping sauce can be mixed in at that point. If honey mustard isn’t your thing, try making our ranch dressing instead! It’s another great way to use buttermilk If you dont have tenders, you can cut thin strips out chicken breasts for the same results.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Nashville Hot Chicken Fries
Raise your hand if hot chicken from Nashville is on your bucket list of things to eat. Youre not alone. While a round-trip ticket to Tennessee might not be in the cards for you, these hot chicken tenders made at home are the next best thing.
Get the Hot Chicken Tenders recipe.
Ya Don’t Know Until Ya Dan-O: Blackened Chicken Tenders
FAQ
What are chicken tenderloins good for?
Chicken tenderloins are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes due to their small size and tender texture. They are great for quick meals like stir-fries, salads, and tacos, as well as appetizers such as chicken satay.
How to cook chicken tenderloins and keep them juicy?
Place chicken tenderloins in a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper; stir to coat. Heat remaining olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken in hot oil and cook, covered, for 6 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over chicken.
What are chicken tenders used for?
Chicken tenders can be breaded and fried, just like chicken fingers, or you can use them in other types of cooking, such as stir-fries or grilled dishes.
Can you use chicken tenderloins in place of chicken breast?
Could I use chicken breast instead of tenderloins? Or chicken tenderloins instead of breasts? You can mix and match and swap as much as you want. Just keep in mind that if you use substitutes, you’ll need to change the cooking time, the baking time, the marinating time, and the frying time.
What are the best chicken Tenderloin recipes?
This Baked Chicken Tenderloin Parmesan is a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy. It only takes a few simple ingredients. One of my all-time favorite chicken tenderloin recipes! 41. Chinese Lemon Chicken Chinese lemon chicken with an irresistibly sticky, sweet, and sour Chinese lemon sauce. move over take-out!.
What to eat with chicken Tenderloin?
Crispy chicken tenderloin, coz lettuce, cheese, bacon, fried egg and caesar dressing in soft tortilla wrap Warm marinated lamb, lettuce, tomato, onion, fetta and Tzatziki in a soft tortilla wrap Buttermilk fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado and aioli in a soft tortilla wrap
Are these chicken Tenderloin recipes family friendly?
Thanks to these chicken tenderloin recipes, you can plan out dinner for the whole month! They’re family-friendly, inexpensive, and insanely delicious!