Garlic Butter Chicken Tenderloins is the perfect mouth-watering dish to impress your family! With simple ingredients and a 30 minute cooking time, you can create tender chicken bathed in a rich, buttery garlic sauce that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds.
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When it comes to a satisfying and effortless meal, our Garlic Butter Chicken Tenderloins recipe reigns supreme. Say goodbye to the dinner-time dilemma with this crowd-pleasing dish that ticks all the boxes: easy to make, bursting with flavor, and loved by both kids and adults.
If you’re looking for more chicken tenderloin recipes, try these Doritos Chicken Tenders, Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, and Chipotle Oven Chicken Kabobs.
Why We Love This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenderloin Recipe
From its quick and hassle-free preparation to the mouthwatering flavors that will leave you craving for more, this delicious garlic butter chicken breast recipe is a true winner. Discover the reasons why this recipe stands out from the rest and why it should become a go-to favorite in your culinary repertoire.
- 30-Minute Meal: This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and satisfying meal.
- Everyday Ingredients and a Quick Prep: Made with super simple ingredients, all of which are likely to be found in your pantry, this chicken dinner takes the hassle out of meal planning and grocery shopping
- Family Friendly: This garlic butter chicken recipe is a hit with both kids and adults alike. The juicy and flavorful chicken paired with the rich and buttery garlic sauce will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredient Notes to Make Skillet Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Breasts: Try boneless, skinless chicken breast for ease of preparation. If you prefer a slightly different texture, you can also use chicken tenderloins, which are already boneless and cook quickly.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are essential for achieving that robust and aromatic garlic flavor. Avoid using pre-minced garlic, as fresh minced garlic offers a more pronounced taste.
- Butter: About 2 to 4 tablespoons of butter make chicken tenders so decadent.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Variations and Substitutions for Garlic Butter Chicken Breast Recipe
Discover how a simple switch in seasoning or cooking technique can transform the dish into a whole new culinary experience. Get ready to unleash your creativity and elevate your chicken breasts with garlic butter!
- Seasoning Blend: For easier prep, use an all-purpose seasoning blend instead of measuring out each individual seasoning. Or try an Italian Seasoning Blend or salt and pepper and paprika to taste.
- Better Than Bullion: Replace Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base with any other base you prefer.
- Cast Iron Pan: Using a cast iron skillet provides excellent heat distribution and helps achieve a delicious sear on the chicken. However, feel free to adapt the cooking method based on your preference and the equipment you have available.
- Garlic: Watch your garlic carefully. When you add the garlic make sure the pan is not too hot. No one likes a burnt garlic taste in their food.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe
This a quick and easy recipe that yields tender and juicy chicken with a rich buttery garlic flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. This stovetop chicken with melted butter is truly special.
These are the basic steps for making garlic butter chicken tenders. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Slice and Season Chicken
Use a sharp knife to slice your chicken breasts horizontally into two smaller strips of chicken. Place the chicken pieces into a zip-top bag or bowl and add in all the seasonings, including paprika, bouillon vegetable base, and lemon juice. Season the chicken fingers with the ingredients until all pieces are fully coated.
Step 2: Sear and Cook the Chicken Tenders
Place a cast iron skillet or large nonstick skillet on medium heat and heat up the oil. Place the seasoned chicken strips in the hot skillet and sear for about 7 minutes, flip and continue to cook on the other side or until fully cooked. The chicken’s internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.
Step 3: Make Garlic and Melt the Butter
Add the chicken stock and butter into the skillet. Deglaze the pan and scrape all the bits from the bottom of the pan and side of the skillet. Simmer the mixture for about 3 minutes or until the sauce reaches desired thickness. While simmering, spoon the sauce on top of the chicken. Remove from heat and allow chicken and butter mixture to cool for about 10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
Recipe FAQs for Easy Chicken Recipe
Expert Tips to Make Chicken Tenderloin
Incorporate these tips into your cooking routine and elevate your delicious garlic butter sauce and chicken breasts to new heights of culinary delight. From avoiding overcooked chicken and garlic to adding a touch of white wine for extra depth, these tips will elevate your cooking game.
- Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to ensure you cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. Also, be cautious while cooking the garlic, as overcooked garlic can turn bitter in taste.
- White Wine: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the butter mixture. Be sure to simmer the mixture briefly to allow the alcohol to cook off before adding the chicken.
- Tender Chicken: If you prefer a more tender texture, you can tenderize the chicken before cooking. Place the meat between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken Dish
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenderloins
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, and cut horizontally
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base
- ¼ cup Chicken stock, low-sodium
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Slice the two chicken breasts horizontally and transfer them to a bowl or ziplock bag.
- Combine the seasonings, minced garlic, Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base, and lemon juice in a bowl or ziplock bag. Apply the mixture onto the chicken until it is completely coated.
- Preheat a hot cast-iron skillet with oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 7 minutes on each side or until it is fully cooked. Ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- After adding the chicken stock and butter to the skillet, let it simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Finally, spoon the sauce over the chicken.
- To preserve the juices and thicken the sauce, let the chicken cool for 10 minutes after turning off the heat before slicing. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken doesn’t go over an internal temperature of 165°F. Also, be cautious while cooking the garlic, as overcooked garlic can turn bitter in taste.
- White Wine: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the butter mixture. Be sure to simmer the mixture briefly to allow the alcohol to cook off before adding the chicken.
- Tender Chicken: If you prefer a more tender texture, you can tenderize the chicken before cooking. Place the tenderloins between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan