If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with flavor yet quick and easy to prepare, this Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe is going to become your new go-to. Imagine tender, golden-crisp chicken tenders enveloped in a glossy sauce that perfectly balances sweet honey, savory soy, and a hint of zesty garlic — every bite is pure comfort with a touch of excitement. Whether it’s a busy weeknight dinner or a casual weekend treat, these tenders deliver big on taste without any hassle, making them a beloved favorite for family and friends alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make this Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe is a breeze because the ingredients are simple yet essential. Each one plays a key role, from giving the chicken its irresistible crust to creating that luscious sauce you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
- ¼ cup (30g) all purpose flour: Provides a light coating that crisps up beautifully; gluten-free flour works great too.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances every flavor and seasons the chicken perfectly.
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper: Adds just a little peppery warmth to balance the sweetness.
- 1 ½ pounds (650g) chicken tenderloins: Tender, juicy, and quick to cook—ideal for a fast meal.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: Gives a rich, creamy base for cooking and sauce development.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Offers that classic aromatic punch that defines the dish.
- 3 tablespoons honey: Brings natural sweetness that caramelizes and complements the savory elements.
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce: Adds depth and a subtle salty tang; tamari works well for gluten-free.
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice): Gives just the right touch of acidity to brighten the sauce.
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Lends a gentle kick of heat to balance the honey.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Coating
Start by mixing the flour with salt and black pepper in a shallow dish. This simple dredge adds a subtle crispness that makes the chicken tenders irresistibly crunchy on the outside while locking in moisture on the inside. When you coat each piece, shake off the excess flour so you get an even crust without any clumps.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken Tenders
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken tenders in two batches so they’re not overcrowded—this helps them form a gorgeous golden brown crust. Each side will take about 2 to 3 minutes, and the key sign of doneness is reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once browned, set the chicken aside on a plate and melt the remaining butter in the pan to cook the rest of the tenders.
Step 3: Deglaze the Pan
This step is a game-changer for flavor. Pour in about ¼ cup of water and use a spatula to scrape off any tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. These caramelized pieces hold intense flavor, so let the liquid reduce a bit to concentrate those delicious notes before moving on.
Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Sprinkle the minced garlic into the pan and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it brown too much to avoid bitterness. Next, stir in the honey, soy sauce or tamari, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes until it thickens slightly and gets glossy. Add the chicken back into the skillet and toss or flip so each tender is lovingly coated in that sticky, shiny sauce.
Step 5: Final Touch and Serve
Once everything is coated and warm, your Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders are ready to eat! A sprinkle of fresh parsley is a lovely finishing touch to brighten the look and add a fresh note. These tenders pair wonderfully with your favorite sides—get ready to enjoy a dish everyone will be asking you to make again.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a classic garnish for this dish because it adds a pop of green color and a hint of herbaceous freshness that contrasts the richness of the sauce. For a bit of extra flair, try toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions, which bring texture and a subtle nutty or sharp note to the plate.
Side Dishes
This Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice or simple noodles that can soak up every last bit of that luscious sauce. If you want something lighter, cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables provide balance and keep the meal feeling wholesome and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the chicken tenders atop a bed of mixed greens for a warm salad, or pile them into soft wraps or sandwiches with crunchy slaw for a fun handheld meal. Drizzling extra sauce around the plate and adding edible flowers or microgreens can turn a weeknight dinner into an impressive presentation worthy of guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3 days, allowing you to easily reheat for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner the next day without losing much of that fresh-made flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save some tenders for later, they freeze beautifully. Arrange them on a baking sheet to flash-freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the tenders in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. Avoid high heat to keep the chicken tender and prevent the sauce from burning. Adding a splash of water or broth can help rehydrate the sauce and keep everything nice and juicy.
FAQs
Can I use regular chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Absolutely! Just slice the chicken breasts into tender-sized strips so they cook evenly and quickly. The cooking time might be slightly longer, depending on thickness, so watch for the 165°F internal temperature to ensure doneness.
Is this Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe gluten-free?
It can be gluten-free if you swap regular all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative and use tamari instead of soy sauce. This recipe is quite adaptable in that way without sacrificing any flavor.
How spicy is this recipe with the crushed red pepper flakes?
The heat is gentle and can easily be adjusted by adding more or less crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference. If you prefer no heat at all, you can simply omit them without impacting the sauce’s core flavors.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can prepare the chicken tenders and sauce ahead, then reheat gently just before serving. To keep them crispy, consider reheating the chicken separately from the sauce and tossing them together right before plating.
What’s the best way to get a crispy crust on the chicken?
Pat the chicken tenders dry before dredging in the flour mixture and avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking. Using butter for richness and cooking over medium-high heat helps develop that golden crust you want.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug in food form. It’s straightforward enough to whip up any day of the week but special enough to impress anyone at your table. The balance of sweet, savory, and just a hint of spice makes it truly addictive. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make it your own—it’s bound to become a favorite in your kitchen just like it is in mine.
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders recipe features tender chicken fillets coated in a seasoned flour mixture, pan-fried to a golden crust, then glazed with a flavorful honey garlic sauce. Quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner, the dish combines sweet, savory, and a hint of spice for a crowd-pleasing meal served ideally over jasmine rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- ¼ cup (30g) all purpose flour (gluten free optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds (650g) chicken tenderloins
Sauce and Cooking
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken coating: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken tenderloins in this seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating, then shake off any excess flour.
- Pan-fry chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook the chicken tenders in batches, searing each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden brown crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove cooked chicken onto a plate. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and pan-fry the rest of the chicken in the same manner.
- Deglaze the pan: Add about ¼ cup of water to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Let the liquid reduce slightly to concentrate the flavor.
- Make the honey garlic sauce: Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey, soy sauce (or tamari), apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook the sauce for 1-2 minutes until it is heated through and starts to thicken.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken tenders to the pan and turn them to coat thoroughly with the sauce, allowing them to warm in the glaze.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve the glazed chicken tenders over jasmine rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use gluten free flour and tamari to make this recipe gluten free.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Serve over rice or noodles to make this a filling meal.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
