These Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are an ultra-juicy, 15-minute skillet dinner featuring tender chicken tenderloins pan-seared to golden perfection and basted in a rich, sizzling garlic herb butter sauce with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
There is no heavy breading or deep frying required—just pure, mouthwatering flavor that comes together in one pan. It’s naturally low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, and one of the fastest weeknight dinners you can make for the entire family.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish!
- Uses simple kitchen staples: chicken tenderloins, real butter, fresh garlic, and herbs
- Ultra-juicy and flavorful thanks to continuous butter basting in the skillet
- Naturally keto, gluten-free, and low-carb with zero flour or breading needed!
If you love fast, flavorful chicken dinners like our Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken Skillet or our tangy Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet, these garlic butter tenders will quickly become a weeknight staple.
Key Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Here are the simple, wholesome ingredients you’ll need:
- Chicken Tenderloins: 1.5 lbs raw chicken tenderloins (or boneless chicken breasts cut into thin strips).
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons quality butter to create the rich, frothy pan sauce.
- Fresh Garlic: 5 to 6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon olive oil to raise the smoke point for a golden sear.
- Chicken Broth: 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth to deglaze the pan and build the pan jus.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus wedges for serving) to cut through the rich butter.
- Seasonings: Paprika, Italian herbs, onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant herbal finish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders (Step-by-Step)
1. Season and Sear the Tenders: Pat chicken tenderloins completely dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken tenders in a single layer and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to 165°F (74°C).
2. Melt the Garlic Herb Butter: Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic directly into the pan. Sauté for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and the butter is foamy and golden, taking care not to burn the garlic.
3. Baste the Chicken Tenders: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan. Tilt the skillet slightly and use a large spoon to repeatedly baste the hot garlic butter sauce over the chicken tenders for 1 to 2 minutes so they absorb all the rich flavor.
4. Garnish and Serve: Remove skillet from heat. Scatter fresh chopped parsley and freshly cracked black pepper over the glistening tenders. Serve immediately with extra pan juices spooned over the top and fresh lemon wedges!
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Don’t crowd the pan: If using a smaller skillet, sear the tenders in two batches
- Overcrowding causes chicken to steam rather than sear into that gorgeous golden crust!
- Spoon extra butter over your sides: Spoon the rich garlic butter drippings left in the skillet directly over mashed potatoes, rice, steamed green beans, or pasta for instant flavor magic!
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Tenders
- Comforting Carbs: Serve alongside garlic mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or warm crusty French bread.
- Low-Carb Sides: Pair with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli florets, or cauliflower mash.
- Crisp Salads: A light Mediterranean chopped salad or classic Caesar salad.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To Store: Store leftover tenders and garlic butter jus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a pat of butter or splash of broth for 3-4 minutes until heated through and juicy. Avoid high microwave heat so the tenders remain tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes! Simply cut boneless skinless chicken breasts lengthwise into 1-inch thick strips to create your own chicken tenderloins.
How do I keep chicken tenders juicy?
Do not overcook them! Because tenderloins are lean and small, they cook quickly (3-4 minutes per side). Basting with garlic butter keeps them succulent and moist.
More Delicious Chicken Favorites to Try Next
- Baked Crack Chicken — Tender chicken smothered in bacon, ranch cream cheese, and cheddar.
- Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken Skillet — Tender chicken smothered in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
- Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet — A tangy and velvety 30-minute low-carb skillet dinner.
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are a crowd-pleasing delight that wraps you in savory goodness. Perfectly seared and bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce, these tender bites are not only easy to make but also visually stunning on any dining table. Ideal for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this recipe guarantees comfort and satisfaction with every mouthful.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus lemon wedges for serving)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season & Sear Tenders: Pat tenders dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear tenders for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown (165°F).
- Melt Garlic Butter: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining 3 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and foamy.
- Baste Chicken: Pour in broth and lemon juice. Spoon the bubbling garlic herb butter continuously over the tenders for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley and black pepper, and serve warm with lemon wedges and pan sauce!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tender (85g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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