Store bought or fast food chicken tenders or “nuggets” never appealed to me. They are loaded with artificial flavors, colors, carcinogenic ‘defoamers’ (why do fast food nuggets need defoamers? Why are they foaming in the first place?) and usually the chicken is so processed that is doesn’t even resemble chicken anymore. To make matters worse they are then fried in trans fats. Not good. These Easy Chicken Tenders will change your nugget game!
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Easy Chicken Tenders: Healthy “Fast Food”
These are my Easy Chicken Tenders. Nothing processed or artificial here! And they literally take less than 5 minutes to prep and less than 10 minutes to cook. Now that is fast food!
How to Make Easy Chicken Tenders:
“Tenders” are located adjacent to the breast. They are white meat and very…well… tender! You can usually find chicken tenders at the grocery store. If they are not available to you, you can use a regular chicken breast and slice into 1/4″ strips yourself.
To prepare tenders:
Sprinkle with a salt, freshly ground pepper and garlic powder…
Then dredge in any flour you wish. Flour will give your tenders that golden, crispy crunch!
MAKING IT GLUTEN FREE AND JUST AS GOOD!
Not all gluten free flours are created equal. I recommend Jovial Gluten Free Pastry Flour . The grains aren’t just gluten free, they are soaked for easier digestion! For a grain free, paleo, Keto Whole30 option click here!
Next: place a pan on medium/high heat. (I use a panini pan) Melt enough butter, ghee or coconut oil to coat the bottom of a pan, when oil or butter is really hot add tenders to pan and turn heat to medium.
Cook 4-5 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and then turn over.
Cook second side till golden brown. Then remove from heat. Serve with a beautiful salad and you have a quick and easy dinner everyone will love. You can also use these tenders in sandwiches or put the leftovers in your kids lunches!
Want More Chicken Tender Recipes?
Try my Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders!
The Recipe: Easy Chicken Tenders
What you need: a good pan, I prefer cast iron for this one.
These are my Easy Chicken Tenders. Nothing processed or artificial here! And they literally take less than 5 minutes to prep and less than 10 minutes to cook. Now that is fast food!
- 1 lbs chicken tenders
- Sea salt, to taste
- Pepper, totaste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- 1/2 cup flour of your choice all purpose, gluten free, grain free
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
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generously, sprinkle chicken tenders with sea salt, pepper and garlic powder.
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Place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour.
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Place a pan on med heat for two minutes. Add Olive oil and butter, swirl pan until the bottom of pan is coated with oil and butter
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When pan and butter is hot, add chicken to pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until chicken is crispy and golden. Turn chicken and cook other side until golden brown 3-4 minutes.
This recipe is for "easy" chicken tenders, meaning I kept ingredients and prep to a minimum. I do have several other chicken tenders recipes, you can find them by entering "chicken tenders" into the search bar on the top right corner of this website.
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I’m with you…homemade are so much better than the store bought version!!
Yum! These are perfect for or trip… was just looking for some healthy options for kids lunches.
And so easy!
Yum! I need to try these! Always looking for new dinner ideas 😉
Your kids will love them!
The fresh tenders are so much better than store bought! I love adding them to salads!
Me too!And in the kids lunch boxes!
Looks incredible! I love the Trader Joe brand everything!
Chicken tenders have always been one of my favorite foods. I love this fast, simple recipe! And we have a panini pan, so we can do this. 😉
So when can I come live at your house? These look so good!
You are welcome any time!
My mouth was literally watering by the end of this post!
Well then I did my job!
Oh, these look so good! This is one of my kiddos favorite dinners, and I’m always looking for new recipes. Thanks.
And so easy! Thanks Heidi!
These chicken tenders look so good, my kids would love them!
I am with you about the fast food stuff. It is so processed. Freshly made is the way to go. Your tenders look fresh and delicious
Making these right now. Trader Joe’s brand is the best. Thanks for the recipe, my family is going to love them!!
Super easy to make and delicious. My boyfriend and kids loved it. Will definitely make it again. Thank you! (:
I made these all the time for my kids but we all loved them!Thanks for your comment.
I loved this recipe! The chicken tenders turned out perfectly crispy and flavorful. Thanks for sharing such an easy and healthy option! Can’t wait to make them again!