why make this recipe
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders are a delicious and easy meal that everyone will love. The combination of sweet honey and savory garlic creates a tasty sauce that makes the chicken juicy and flavorful. This recipe is perfect for a quick dinner, and it uses simple ingredients that you might already have at home. Plus, it’s a great way to impress family or friends without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
how to make Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce, low sodium)
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp butter (or oil)
Directions:
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, and onion powder. Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
- Heat 1 tbsp of butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken tenders and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tbsp of butter (or add a splash of oil). Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in coconut aminos (or soy sauce), red wine vinegar, and honey. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet, tossing them in the honey garlic sauce. Let the chicken simmer for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the sauce coats each piece evenly.
- Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with optional parsley or sesame seeds. Serve your honey garlic chicken tenders hot with your favorite sides!
how to serve Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders are best served hot. You can pair them with rice, noodles, or fresh vegetables. They also go well in wraps or on top of salad for a tasty meal. Feel free to add your favorite sides to complete the dish.
how to store Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
If you have leftovers, let them cool down to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month. To reheat, simply put them in the microwave or warm them in a skillet until heated through.
tips to make Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning. This helps the spices stick better.
- Don’t skip the sautéing step for the garlic, as it adds great flavor to the sauce.
- You can adjust the amount of honey to make the sauce sweeter or stick to the recommended amount for a balanced flavor.
- Add some veggies to the skillet along with the chicken for a one-pan meal.
variation
You can easily customize this dish by using different meat like pork or shrimp. Also, try adding some vegetables such as bell peppers or broccoli to the skillet while cooking for a complete meal.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken tenders?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken tenders. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking for even cooking.
Q: Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to keep the dish gluten-free.
Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: The chili powder adds a bit of heat, but the recipe is not very spicy. You can reduce the chili powder or omit it if you prefer no spice.
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
For the sauce
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce, low sodium)
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp butter (or oil) for cooking
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, and onion powder.
- Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken tenders and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter (or add a splash of oil).
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in coconut aminos (or soy sauce), red wine vinegar, and honey. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet, tossing them in the honey garlic sauce. Let the chicken simmer for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the sauce coats each piece evenly.
Serving
- Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with optional parsley or sesame seeds. Serve hot with your favorite sides!