10+ Chicken Tenderloin Recipes to Try for Easy, Delicious Meals

Chicken tenderloins are a great choice when you want a quick, easy, and tasty meal. They cook fast and can be flavored in many ways to suit your taste.

Whether you like mild or bold flavors, chicken tenderloin recipes give you lots of options.

You can make simple and healthy dishes using chicken tenderloins without much fuss or time. This makes them perfect for weeknight dinners or anytime you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook the tenderloins for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked.

1) Oven-Baked Teriyaki Chicken Tenderloins

You can make tasty oven-baked teriyaki chicken tenderloins with just a few simple steps. Start by seasoning your chicken with a mix of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Brush on a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce to add great flavor. Bake the tenderloins at 425°F (220°C) for about 10 minutes.

Turn the chicken halfway through to make sure it cooks evenly and stays juicy.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Teriyaki sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Season chicken tenderloins with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
4. Brush each piece with teriyaki sauce.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.
6. Flip the chicken and brush more sauce on the other side.
7. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until cooked through.

For more tips on this recipe, see oven-baked teriyaki chicken details here.

2) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic butter chicken tenders are quick and easy to make. You cook the chicken tenderloins in a simple garlic butter sauce that keeps them juicy and flavorful.

It’s a great choice for a weeknight dinner that feels special without much effort. You can use just a few ingredients like garlic, butter, and a bit of seasoning.

The chicken cooks fast on the stove, usually in under 15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh touch.

You can find more details on making garlic butter chicken tenders at Little Sunny Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until chicken is no longer pink inside.
5. Remove from heat and serve with lemon wedges if you like.

3) Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders

Buttermilk fried chicken tenders are a simple way to make juicy, crispy chicken. You start by soaking the tenders in buttermilk.

This helps keep the chicken tender and adds flavor. After marinating, coat the chicken in seasoned flour or breadcrumbs.

Fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy. The outside becomes crunchy while the inside stays juicy and tender.

You can use a pan or deep fryer to cook these. Make sure the oil stays around 350°F (175°C) for the best results.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 1 hour.
2. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture.
4. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
5. Fry chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
6. Drain on paper towels before serving.

4) Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders with Toasted Breadcrumbs

You can make chicken tenders extra crunchy by toasting the breadcrumbs first. This step adds a nice golden color and crisp texture that stays crunchy after baking.

Use panko breadcrumbs for the best crunch. Adding a little parmesan cheese to the crumbs gives your tenders extra flavor.

Make sure your chicken is at room temperature before cooking. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy inside.

Bake your tenders in a hot oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Flip them halfway through to get both sides crispy.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray or oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toast panko breadcrumbs and parmesan on a baking sheet for 5 minutes.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Dip chicken in flour, then beaten eggs, then breadcrumb mixture.
5. Place tenders on a baking sheet sprayed with oil.
6. Bake 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway until golden and crisp.

5) Air Fryer Crumbed Chicken Tenderloins

Air fryer crumbed chicken tenderloins are quick and easy to make. You start by dipping the chicken in an egg wash, which helps the crumbs stick better.

Coat the tenderloins with breadcrumbs for a crispy outside. Place your crumbed chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Cook them at 400°F (200°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes. Flip them halfway through to get an even golden crust.

This method gives you juicy chicken without the extra oil.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1 egg
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil spray

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the egg in a bowl.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Dip each tenderloin in the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
4. Place chicken in the air fryer basket.
5. Spray lightly with olive oil.
6. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
7. Check for doneness, then serve.

For more tips, see this air fryer chicken tenderloin recipe.

6) Baked Chicken Tenderloin Parmesan

You can make a simple, tasty baked chicken tenderloin Parmesan that’s great for dinner. Start with breading the tenderloins with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

Bake them to get a crispy outside and juicy inside. After baking, top the chicken with marinara sauce and mozzarella.

Put them back in the oven just long enough to melt the cheese. Serve with pasta or a side salad for a full meal.

Baking at a high temperature keeps the chicken tender while creating a nice crust.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil or spray

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Beat the egg in a bowl.
3. Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan in another bowl.
4. Dip tenderloins in egg, then coat with breadcrumb mix.
5. Place on a baking sheet lightly greased with oil.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
7. Spoon marinara sauce over chicken and sprinkle mozzarella on top.
8. Bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
9. Serve warm.

Easy Parmesan Chicken Tenderloins

7) Chicken Tenderloin Stir-Fry with Vegetables

You can make a quick and tasty chicken tenderloin stir-fry by cutting the chicken into small pieces. Toss them with soy sauce, a little cornstarch, and a bit of sugar.

This helps the chicken stay tender and gives it flavor. Cook the chicken in a hot pan or wok until it’s no longer pink.

Add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas. Stir-fry everything together until the veggies are tender but still crisp.

For a finishing touch, add a sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Stir everything well and heat for just a minute or two.

Serve your stir-fry over rice or noodles for a simple meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix chicken with soy sauce, cornstarch, and sugar in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Cook chicken until it’s no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Add garlic, ginger, and vegetables to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
5. Add more soy sauce if you like and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
6. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

8) Chicken Tenderloin Salad with Mixed Greens

This chicken tenderloin salad is simple and fresh. You’ll use mixed greens like romaine and kale for a crunchy base.

Adding crisp veggies such as cherry tomatoes and cucumbers brings color and flavor. Cook the chicken tenderloins with olive oil and garlic powder.

Once cooked, slice them and place on top of the greens. A drizzle of honey mustard or parmesan vinaigrette makes the salad even tastier.

This meal is light but filling and perfect for any day you want something quick and healthy.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken tenderloins
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, kale, or green leaf lettuce)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, sliced
• 2 tbsp honey mustard or parmesan vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat a pan over medium heat.
2. Toss chicken tenderloins with olive oil and garlic powder.
3. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
4. Remove and slice the chicken.
5. Arrange mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber in a bowl.
6. Top salad with sliced chicken.
7. Drizzle honey mustard or vinaigrette over the top before serving.

9) Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Tenderloins

Honey mustard glaze gives chicken tenderloins a sweet and tangy flavor. This recipe is simple and quick.

The glaze makes the chicken shiny and tasty. Honey and mustard blend with a little lemon juice for a fresh twist.

Bake the tenderloins in the oven or cook them in an air fryer. Serve this dish with veggies or rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Coat chicken tenderloins with the honey mustard sauce.
4. Place tenderloins on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve warm.

More details can be found in this honey mustard chicken tenders recipe.

10) Lemon Herb Marinated Chicken Tenderloins

Fresh lemon juice brightens these chicken tenderloins. The marinade uses olive oil and herbs like thyme for a simple, zesty flavor.

Use this chicken in salads or sandwiches. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to soak in the flavors.

Grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until it is juicy and cooked through. The lemon and herbs keep the chicken tender and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1-2 lemons
• 2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

2. Add chicken tenderloins and coat them well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). You can also heat a skillet over medium heat.

4. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). In the oven, this takes about 15–20 minutes. In a skillet, cook for 6–8 minutes on each side.

5. Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.