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Easy and delicious Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders are made with no breading, are perfectly seasoned and cooked completely in a skillet in under 8 minutes, making them a go-to lunch or dinner recipe.
It's about time I share a chicken tender recipe on this site, don't you think? These Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders seemed like a good place to start.
See, I adore Blackened Chicken when I want an easy chicken breast recipe, and of course my Air Fryer Chicken Thighs when I want chicken thighs, but these chicken tenders are the quickest recipe of them all!
This recipe is made without breading, meaning there's no breadcrumbs, no panko, no egg, and no mess! They're healthier than breaded tenders, and still so delicious.
Recipe features
- Cooked in one skillet, and there's no need to cook them in batches either; if you're using a large skillet, all of the chicken tenders should fit.
- Seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and salt, meaning they're incredibly flavorful.
- Made without flour and with no breading, making them gluten free, paleo, keto, and Whole30-friendly!
Ingredients
Chicken tenders - Boneless, skinless; the recipe calls for 1 lb., but you can easily double it if you want to make more.
Oil - I used olive oil, but any kind should work.
Spices - Garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, oregano, and black pepper. The chicken has a little bit of a kick to it from the smoked paprika. You can use sweet paprika if you prefer.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Season the chicken. Start by placing the chicken tenders in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, stir the spice mixture together, then use your hands to coat the chicken on both sides.
Step 2: Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a large skillet, then turn the heat to medium and allow the oil to warm up for about one minute.
Step 3: Cook the chicken. Next, place the chicken smooth-side down into the skillet and cook it undisturbed for 4 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to flip the chicken over, place a lid on the skillet and cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes. Optional: add 1 teaspoon of butter or ghee to the skillet!
Expert tips and FAQs
- You'll know the chicken is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°.
- I like adding a little bit of butter to the skillet once the chicken is done cooking, which adds even more flavor to this dish.
- All chicken tender recipes need some type of dip -- the obvious choice is ketchup, but if you want something even better opt for this homemade chipotle aioli instead.
Do I need to pat the chicken dry?
Most chicken tenderloins should be relatively dry out of the package. However, to ensure they get crispy on the outside, you can absolutely pat them dry with a paper towel before adding the spices.
Can I use frozen chicken tenders?
Yes, but you will have to thaw them first so they can be properly seasoned. Placing the chicken tenders directly from the freezer into the skillet won't work; they'll be too soggy and flavorless.
What should I serve alongside these?
I think my Instant Pot Spanish rice would be delicious, as would my corn kale salad in the summertime or my air fryer potato wedges.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken on a plate and microwave it, or place it into a skillet with a lid on top and heat it over medium-low heat until warm.
More tasty chicken recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken tenders
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Start by placing the chicken in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, oregano, and black pepper, then use your hands to completely coat the chicken on both sides.
- Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat, then pour the oil into the skillet and allow it to warm up, about 1 minute.
- Add the chicken smooth-side down and cook it for 4 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to flip the chicken over, place a lid on the skillet, and continue cooking the chicken for 3-4 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°. Optional: add 1 teaspoon of butter to the skillet, which adds even more flavor. Enjoy!
Rita says
Easy and flavourful. Used your recipe as part of my meal prep. Thank you from Australia
Erin says
Thanks for the 5-star rating, Rita!
Jack says
I like this recipe very much
https://abc.com
Erin says
Thanks so much Jack! Glad you liked the chicken tenders!
Justine Korey says
Made these in a cast iron skillet they were delicious matter of fact, my son in law asked me to make them again. So here I amx going at it again!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Erin says
Thanks Justine! Glad you both love the recipe so much!
Lisa Mills says
Delicious, tender, spicy and so easy to make. I love it!
Erin says
Thanks Lisa! Glad you loved it!
Blanche says
So incredibly yummy! The cook times made sure the chicken was flavorful and juicy. I was by myself so I elected for mashed red potatoes and green beans for my sides
Erin says
YUM that sounds delicious -- I'm glad you liked the chicken tenders!
Susan Downing says
Very easy and delicious recipe! My family loved it! I was afraid it was going to be too spicy, but it was not at all. I served it with homemade Mac and cheese and asparagus. It was a hit! Thank you!
Sharla says
These were tasty and quick! I seasoned them and set aside to be the final part of dinner prep. Served with peanutty noodles and a salad.
Erin says
So happy you liked the chicken!
Lynn A says
I love this recipe. It's within my limited food prep abilities and tastes wonderful. Simple and quick - perfect!
Erin says
I'm so glad you liked the chicken tenders, Lynn!
Becki says
My husband and daughter loved the chicken tenders.
They are both very picky eaters! I will definitely be making these again!
Erin says
I love to hear that!
Grandma Suzy says
Really delicious and quick ❤️
Served with rice, crowder peas and green beans
Deborah says
I made this recipe today. Do easy and the tenders are perfect.
Erin says
So happy you enjoyed the chicken tenders, Deborah!
Rob says
Don’t know how much of each spice to put in my bowl to coat the chicken but I guess it depends on ho much chicken I use…😜
Nice quick recipe and actually Chick filet sauce is great with it. Thanks Erin
Lou says
Easy and delicious recipe!
AS says
This recipe was easy and delicious! The seasoning was just right and the chicken tenders were ready in under ten minutes. I will make them again!
Erin says
Thanks for the positive review!
Eileen says
I agree! Very easy to make and so very good, After I took the chicken out of the pan, I added a little bit of butter and sautéed some fresh mushrooms so so good!
Erin says
YUM that sounds so good! Thanks for the 5-star rating 🙂
LA says
Followed this recipe exactly and the result was juicy, flavorful chicken with just the right amount of crisp. Quick and easy, and goes with a lot of different sides. Will be making this again!
Erin says
I'm so glad this was a hit -- thanks for the review!