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Take your chicken tenderloin and make these delicious chicken tenderloin recipes. Easy, delicious, and nutritious.
Cooking with a chicken tenderloin is like playing basketball at seven feet tall; you just can’t lose. Chicken tenderloin is the most tender part of the bird.
These chicken strips absorb all the flavor of the sauce they are cooked in, making chicken tenderloins a perfect canvas for your next dinner.
Table of Contents
What is Chicken Tenderloin Good for?
These easy chicken tenderloin recipes are the perfect contender for an affordable yet gourmet dinner. This ultra-soft and juicy part of the chicken is excellent for elevating a meal, but it won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Plus, it’s a super lean cut of meat. That’s good news for anyone watching their waistline!
Are Chicken Breast and Chicken Tenderloin the Same?
The chicken breast is the entire chest section of the bird, but the tenderloin is just a tiny piece of that breast. It’s the most delicate part of the breast, running up the inside edge.
Chicken breast also tends to be slightly more nutritious since it contains more vitamins. But the tenderloin is still an excellent choice in terms of health.
Plus, there’s no better choice when it comes to juicy tenderness.
Are Chicken Tenderloins Healthy?
Absolutely. They contain very little fat, no carbs, and require very little oil to cook. Those are all great signs for a healthy chicken tenderloin dinner.
So, without any further ado, let’s dive into thirty-one ways you can enjoy this particular cut of meat.
Healthy Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
First and foremost, I’ve assembled a few healthy recipes to start us on our journey. Each of these recipes embraces a chicken tenderloin’s ability to elevate a meal beyond its limitations.
Best of all, combining healthy ingredients and chicken protein means these recipes are both delicious and super simple.
1. Mushroom Chicken
Source: apinchofhealthy.com
We begin with a tender chicken dish coated in a rich mushroom-based sauce.
Using a few simple ingredients like chicken broth, garlic powder, salt and black pepper, this dish is great served on rice with a side of vegetables or even on a bed of pasta for an Italian twist.
2. Sheet Pan Chicken and Broccoli
Source: healthyseasonalrecipes.com
This delightful sheet pan recipe gives us the time we need to get on with other things while making a tasty dinner.
The hero of this dish is the incredible honey and hot sriracha sauce. The combination of sticky sweetness with ultra-tender chicken is utterly mouth-watering.
Check out these easy sheet pan dinners for more inspiration.
3. Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Source: itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
Every home cook I know is in love with sheet pan recipes for an excellent reason! These delightful baking sheet recipes give us the time we need to get on with other things while making a tasty dinner.
The hero of this dish is the incredible honey and hot sriracha sauce with olive oil and lemon juice. The combination of sticky sweetness with ultra-tender chicken is utterly mouth-watering.
Check out more easy low-calorie dinner recipes.
4. Chicken Tenders Hummus Meal Prep Box
Source: ihatemealprep.com
Chicken tenderloins are fantastic for meal prep.
They’re a perfect size, easy to portion, and super easy to prepare in large quantities. Spend an hour on Sunday making this easy recipe for your entire week using this simple yet tasty recipe with soy sauce.
5. Chicken Fajitas
Source: strengthandsunshine.com
Try this super simple take on chicken fajitas using tenderloins.
Whip up some side dishes with brown rice or your favorite Mexican-style vegetables to complete the dish. I highly recommend grilled peppers and sweet onions to complement the chicken’s juicy texture and taste of the seasoning with lime juice, and chili powder.
6. Grilled Pineapple Chicken
Source: urbanblisslife.com
Pineapple contains enzymes that break down the chicken tenderloin even further as it cooks, thus doubling the tenderness!
Plus, this chicken is irresistibly sweet and sticky, thanks to the natural sugars hiding in the pineapple. Serve on a bed of fresh vegetables or chopped into a stir-fry to have the perfect family dinner.
7. Chicken Tenders with Artichoke Avocado Salsa
Source: mashupmom.com
This take on chicken tenders only requires a skillet and half an hour of your time, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.
The artichoke and avocado salsa is the real hero of this dish! Refreshing and earthy flavors battle for dominance, while the chicken tenderloin offers all the meaty flavor, you could want.
8. Lemon Basil Chicken Salad
Source: twopinkpeonies.com
Whether you serve it as a dip, on a sandwich, or solo is up to you. Regardless of your choice, this lemon basil chicken salad is out of this world.
The creaminess of the dressing is the ideal counter to tender chicken, while lemon and basil lift the richness to perfection.
Baked Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to achieve gourmet-quality food, then baked chicken tenderloin is for you.
This cooking method requires barely any effort, but it highlights the tenderness of this cut beautifully. Not to mention, it reduces the number of dishes you have to be content with!
9. Baked Buffalo Chicken Fingers
Source: belleofthekitchen.com
Thanks to the natural shape of the tenderloin, these baked buffalo chicken fingers are super easy to pull together. No cutting is required, just bread the chicken and bake to perfection.
Serve with a light, bright ranch dressing to complete your tasty buffalo dish.
10. Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Source: homeatcedarspringsfarm.com
These healthy, crunchy chicken tenders are super simple to make.
Add a dusting of cayenne to the mix to make it spicier. More of a garlic fanatic? Go generously with the powdered garlic. Bake this healthier chicken tender recipe until they are golden brown and enjoy these crispy chicken tenders.
11. Oven-baked Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Source: veronikaskitchen.com
Marinating your chicken in a buttermilk bath is the best way to tenderize it and add depth of flavor to this easy dinner.
The buttermilk keeps these chicken tenders juicy and light, while the crispy coating makes them utterly irresistible. Grab your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy these easy chicken recipes.
12. Baked Feta Chicken Tenders
Source: sulaandspice.com
These baked feta tenders are even easier to make than the breaded ones, and they’re twice as fancy.
The Greek dressing adds a punchy flavor that anchors the tenderloins as the dish’s hero, so all you need are some simple sides to complete the plate.
13. Baked Honey Lemon Chicken Tenders
Source: saltandlavender.com
The light and delicate honey lemon glaze on these kid-friendly oven-baked tenders are out of this world.
This glaze is an excellent recipe for all chicken dishes in your back pocket. From stir fry to chicken burgers, it offers a light yet sweet kick to elevate any dish.
14. Coconut Chicken
Source: joyfilledeats.com
Coconut and chicken go together like two peas in a pod. So, why not enjoy the combination as finger food? These delightful coconut chicken tenders are great on their own or as part of a dish.
They can be an excellent substitute for coconut shrimp if anyone in the family doesn’t like seafood, too!
15. Lemon Chicken with Tomatoes and Zucchini
Source: balancewithjess.com
This one-pan wonder can deliver whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just want a quick cheap dinner.
Featuring light citrus flavors in contrast to earthy zucchini and juicy tomatoes, this dish is a rollercoaster ride of texture and flavor. All that done in just under thirty minutes.
16. Lemon Mint Hazelnut Chicken
Source: strengthandsunshine.com
Lemon, mint, and hazelnut flavors all combine to highlight this tender chicken cut.
The crumbed exterior makes each bite more addictive than the last. Serve atop a simple salad, or kick things up a notch with a rich sauce and some root vegetables!
17. Mustard Baked Chicken
https://diabetesstrong.com/mustard-baked-chicken-tenders/#recipe
Mustard and chicken are ideal partners in crime. The earthiness of the mustard and the tenderness of the chicken play off each other in an addictive cycle that only ends when the plate is empty.
These tenders are super easy to make, so they’re ideal for a weeknight dinner.
Keto Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
For all my keto friends, these recipes are just a tiny portion of the possibilities for keto chicken tenderloin. It’s such a fantastic cut of meat for the ketogenic lifestyle.
18. Skillet Chicken Tenders
Source: easyhealthllc.com
Try these slightly sweet chicken tenders on your next experimental keto dish, from a keto Philly cheesesteak to a simple salad.
The secret ingredient is a generous dash of Korean BBQ sauce. The sugar in the sauce allows the chicken to caramelize in the pan, giving it an irresistible crust and sticky sweet flavor.
19. Pistachio Chicken
Source: joyfoodsunshine.com
Enjoy this fancy-style Sunday dinner on a casual weeknight, thanks to its simplicity.
The pistachio crust holds all the juices inside the tenders, keeping them fresh and scrumptious. Breading tenders is a great way to cook them, keeping the lean meat moist and tender.
20. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Lemon and garlic vie for attention in a delicious battle; it’s essentially sunshine on a plate!
Enjoy these tenders on their own as a starter dish, or whip up some fragrant jasmine rice to complete the meal. Be generous with the sauce as you serve; it’s the hero of this dish!
21. Instant Pot Chicken Tenders
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
The perfect Instant Pot recipe, these tenders are herbaceous, spicy, and slightly crispy.
They’re perfect on their own as a starter or as a component of a larger dish. I highly recommend these for fall dining, as the autumnal flavors pack a punch!
Find more Whole30 dinner recipes.
22. Prosciutto Chicken and Broccoli Sheet Pan
Source: peaceloveandlowcarb.com
Achieve a sophisticated dinner with minimal effort, thanks to this utterly delicious recipe.
I love this recipe because it only requires one pan, and all the elements are complete simultaneously. No juggling multiple element cooking times; just enjoy the lack of dishes and plenty of flavors.
23. Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Source: joyfilledeats.com
These baked tenders are the ideal solution for keto home cooks pursuing breaded chicken tenders. Rather than using breadcrumbs, you can use parmesan and garlic!
The result is an ultra-juicy and fragrant chicken tender with a delightful crust on the outside. These are perfect for serving with a side of spring vegetables or even a salad.
24. Smoked Chicken Tenders
Source: fantabulosity.com
The bold rub and smoky flavors in this recipe are a gorgeous contrast to the light and juicy chicken.
Customize your rub however you like to suit your ideal taste. You can go more herbaceous with dried rosemary or opt for a rub with a kick and incorporate some cayenne pepper.
Chicken Tenderloin Crock Pot Recipes
Our final category is the ultimate guidebook for a home cook low on time. Minimizing your hands-on preparation time doesn’t mean reducing taste, as these tasty recipes demonstrate!
Each one allows you to set and forget your chicken tenderloin. When you return, you’ll lift the lid on a juicy, flavorful, restaurant-quality dish the whole family can enjoy.
25. Creamy Chicken
Source: plattertalk.com
Creamy Chicken is the perfect choice for a slow cooker chicken tenderloin recipe because it celebrates the core ingredient. Cooked to perfection in a creamy sauce, these tenders have never been softer.
Serve on a bed of pasta and finish with a generous dash of the sauce.
Find more cheap crockpot meals!
26. Chicken and Stuffing
Source: sparklestosprinkles.com
Don’t spend hours in the kitchen battling your oven. Instead, get it all done in a crockpot.
Crockpot chicken and stuffing are tender and flavorful, thanks to the low and slow cooking style. Introduce chicken tenderloins into the mix; you’ve got an unbeatable combination!
Plus, imagine the leftover sandwich supplies.
27. Chicken Tacos
Source: twohealthykitchens.com
Achieve stunningly bold and vibrant chicken tacos with just three ingredients! Chicken tenders are perfect for this taco style because they flake apart beautifully in the crockpot.
With just five minutes of preparation time, give these a try and watch your family wolf them down.
28. Salsa Verde Chicken
Source: hellospoonful.com
Similarly, we have salsa verde chicken as our next dish. This healthy option smells just as good as it tastes, and it’s versatile too!
Serve it over rice, in a taco, over nachos, or even as a meal prep recipe to kickstart your week.
29. Chicken Marsala
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Slow-cooked to perfection, the mushroom cream sauce dressing these chicken tenderloins is to die for.
I’d highly recommend whipping this recipe out for your next dinner party. You can set and forget it while you work on your other courses, then return to a perfect main ready to serve immediately!
30. Teriyaki Chicken
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Teriyaki Chicken is a sweet and sticky treat that promises to elevate any meal, whether you’re whipping up a quick stir fry for dinner or just need a meal prep recipe.
It’s so delightfully simple, yet the depth of flavor feels like you must have spent hours in the kitchen!
31. Crack Chicken
Source: suburbansimplicity.com
Our final recipe truly lives up to its name because it is undeniably addictive. No one is quite sure where it got its name, but one thing is for sure: crack chicken is irresistible.
While many recipes for this dish use chicken breast, this chicken tenderloin variation delivers an even more delicate result.
31 Best Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
Got some chicken tenderloin? These Chicken Tenderloin Recipes are easy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious to make.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Cuisine American
Servings 4 -6
Ingredients
- 1. Mushroom Chicken
- 2. Sheet Pan Chicken and Broccoli
- 3. Mediterranean Chicken Salad
- 4. Chicken Tenders Hummus Meal Prep Box
- 5. Chicken Fajitas
- 6. Grilled Pineapple Chicken
- 7. Chicken Tenders with Artichoke Avocado Salsa
- 8. Lemon Basil Chicken Salad
- 9. Baked Buffalo Chicken Fingers
- 10. Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
- 11. Oven-baked Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
- 12. Baked Feta Chicken Tenders
- 13. Baked Honey Lemon Chicken Tenders
- 14. Coconut Chicken
- 15. Lemon Chicken with Tomatoes and Zucchini
- 16. Lemon Mint Hazelnut Chicken
- 17. Mustard Baked Chicken
- 18. Skillet Chicken Tenders
- 19. Pistachio Chicken
- 20. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
- 21. Instant Pot Chicken Tenders
- 22. Prosciutto Chicken and Broccoli Sheet Pan
- 23. Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- 24. Smoked Chicken Tenders
- 25. Creamy Chicken
- 26. Chicken and Stuffing
- 27. Chicken Tacos
- 28. Salsa Verde Chicken
- 29. Chicken Marsala
- 30. Teriyaki Chicken
- 31. Crack Chicken
Instructions
Scroll up to get a bunch of easy, yummy, and delicious recipes. Don't be afraid to get creative with the ingredients, you might discover a flavor you didn't know you liked.
Get your shopping list going and make sure you've got all the ingredients.
Get cooking and make your next Chicken Tenderloin Recipe!
Notes
Which one of these recipes was your favorite? Let me know in the comment section or on Pinterest!
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below with your rating! I love the feedback and respond to every comment!
