Okay, you guys, we need to talk about those nights where it feels like you have negative time to even think about making dinner. You know the ones I mean; you’re so busy, so tired, and the thought of cooking for even 30 minutes seems completely impossible. We all have those days where we just need a true dinner miracle to happen.
Well, this is it. This recipe is my miracle recipe. It’s a complete, flavour-packed, and incredibly delicious skillet dinner that is on the table in 15 minutes flat. I am not exaggerating; it is the fastest real-food meal I know how to make.
So today, I am so incredibly excited to share my ultimate weeknight lifesaver with you all: these 15-Minute Skillet Garlic Butter Tenders. They are so juicy, so savory, and that garlic butter sauce is literally everything. Get ready to have your busiest weeknights completely transformed!
The Ultimate Quick Skillet Meal: Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
This recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders is my go-to because the flavour is just so classic, comforting, and universally loved. The simple but powerful combination of rich butter, pungent fresh garlic, and bright parsley creates a luscious sauce that tastes incredibly gourmet. It’s a beautiful dish that proves you only need a few simple ingredients to create something truly amazing.
A Perfect 15-Minute Dinner for Easy One-Pan Recipes
This is seriously the best 15-minute dinner in my entire recipe collection, and I know you’ll agree. It is also a true star among easy one-pan recipes. The entire dish, from searing the chicken to creating the delicious pan sauce, comes together in one single skillet, which means the cleanup is just as fast as the cooking!
Your Guide: How Do You Cook Chicken Tenders Fast on the Stove?
So many of you have asked me, how do you cook chicken tenders fast on the stove? My number one secret is to use a skillet that is properly preheated over a medium-high heat and to not overcrowd the pan, which allows the tenders to get a beautiful golden-brown sear. Since chicken tenderloins are already so small and tender, they cook through incredibly quickly. They typically need only about 3 to 4 minutes per side to cook perfectly.
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Butter Tenders
I just know you guys are going to be completely obsessed with this recipe because it is unbelievably fast, making it the perfect solution for your most chaotic nights. You’ll also love that it uses simple pantry staples that you probably already have on hand right now. Plus, the savory, comforting garlic butter flavor is a guaranteed hit with the entire family, including even the pickiest of eaters.
Nutritional Benefits
This simple skillet meal is a fantastic source of high-quality, lean protein from the chicken tenderloins, which is essential for a filling and satisfying dinner. By making your own simple garlic butter sauce from scratch, you have complete control over the ingredients, like using a good quality butter and fresh garlic. It’s a wholesome and satisfying meal that is so much better for you than a last-minute run to the fast-food drive-thru.
Full Recipe
Okay, are you guys ready for the recipe that will save your dinner time over and over again? I am so excited for you to have this in your back pocket for those crazy nights when you need a delicious meal in a flash. Let’s get into the super simple steps to make this amazing skillet dinner!
An incredibly quick and easy one-pan recipe for the best Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders. Juicy, pan-seared chicken tenderloins are smothered in a luscious and flavour-packed garlic butter pan sauce. This is the ultimate 15-minute dinner for a busy weeknight that the whole family will love.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Yield: 4 servings | Category: Dinner, Main Course | Method: Sautéing, Pan-Searing | Cuisine: American | Diet: Low-Carb, Keto, Gluten-Free
Essential Ingredients for Garlic Butter Tenders
The best part about this recipe is that you only need a handful of simple pantry staples to make it happen.
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs (about 700g) of chicken tenderloins
- Fat: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Aromatics: 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- Liquid: ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Ingredients Notes
Let’s chat for a sec about these super simple ingredients, because a few key choices will make this dish spectacular.
- The Chicken Tenderloins: I love using chicken tenderloins for this recipe because they are naturally so tender and they cook incredibly fast. Before you start, it is so important to pat the tenderloins completely dry with a paper towel. This is my secret to getting a beautiful golden-brown sear on the outside.
- The Butter: For the richest and most delicious sauce, I always recommend using a good quality, real, unsalted butter. Since the sauce is so simple, the flavour of the butter really shines through. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the final saltiness of the dish yourself.
- The Garlic: You guys, you have to use fresh garlic for this recipe! The pungent, aromatic flavour of freshly minced garlic is what makes the sauce so incredibly addictive. The pre-minced jarred kind just doesn’t have the same vibrant taste.
- The Chicken Broth: A little splash of chicken broth is my secret to creating a real “pan sauce.” It helps to deglaze the skillet, which means you scrape up all those delicious, flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan after you sear the chicken.
How to Make 15-Minute Skillet Garlic Butter Tenders
Okay, let’s get into just how ridiculously fast it is to make this flavour-packed chicken dinner.
- Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken. First, pat your chicken tenderloins completely dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Cook the Chicken. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, place the seasoned chicken tenderloins in the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked all the way through.
- Step 3: Create the Garlic Butter Sauce. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a clean plate. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook for just 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it is very fragrant.
- Step 4: Deglaze and Finish. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about a minute.
- Step 5: Combine and Serve. Return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley and toss the chicken in the garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately.
Storage Options
This quick skillet meal is at its best when it is enjoyed fresh and hot right from the pan. If you do happen to have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, it’s best to warm the chicken and sauce gently in a skillet over low heat until heated through.
Variations and Substitutions
I love this recipe because it’s a perfect base for you to get creative with. For a bit of a zesty kick, you can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the pan sauce at the very end. For a different flavour, you could add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the chicken or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat. You could also add some quick-cooking vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the pan after the garlic for a more complete one-pan meal.
Practical & Valuable Tips
My number one tip for this recipe is to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, because the process moves very, very quickly. For the most flavourful sauce, do not wipe out the skillet after you cook the chicken; those browned bits on the bottom are pure gold. Finally, be very careful not to overcook the garlic in the butter, as it can burn in a matter of seconds and will make your sauce taste bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins for this recipe? Yes, you totally can! I would recommend slicing the chicken breasts into thin strips that are a similar size to tenderloins, or pounding the whole breasts to an even ½-inch thickness. This will ensure that they cook just as quickly as the tenderloins and stay nice and juicy.
- My garlic burned. How do I prevent that? Minced garlic is very delicate and can burn incredibly fast in hot butter. It is crucial to turn your heat down to medium-low before you add the butter and garlic to the skillet. You only need to cook it for about 30-60 seconds, just until you can smell its beautiful aroma.
- What are the best side dishes to serve with these garlic butter tenders? These versatile chicken tenders are fantastic with so many things! They are wonderful served over a bed of pasta or rice to soak up all the delicious garlic butter sauce. For a healthier, low-carb option, they are perfect with a side of steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad.
- Can I add vegetables to this skillet to make it a one-pan meal? Of course! I would recommend using quick-cooking vegetables. You could sauté some sliced mushrooms or zucchini in the pan after the chicken is cooked, or stir in a large handful of fresh baby spinach at the very end until it has wilted.
- My sauce seems a little thin. Is that normal? Yes, this recipe creates a thin but very flavourful pan sauce, not a thick gravy. It’s designed to be a light coating for the chicken and to be drizzled over your side dishes. If you did want a thicker sauce, you could whisk in a simple slurry of 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water.
Conclusion
This 15-Minute Skillet Garlic Butter Tenders recipe is your ultimate secret weapon for those incredibly busy weeknights. It’s a dish that proves you can have a meal that is elegant, flavour-packed, and deeply satisfying, all in less time than it takes to order a pizza. It’s a simple, comforting, and foolproof recipe that will save your dinner time and time again. This is a Quick Dinner Recipe you will be so glad you have. If you love this easy and delicious meal, don’t forget to share it and save it to your favorite weeknight dinners board on Pinterest!
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