The Best Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Nothing beats honey garlic chicken tenders. And I’m being serious when I say this. 

These juicy tenders are everything! 

I’ve been eating it with my salads lately, and it pairs well with anything. You can also eat it with rice, pasta, sweet potatoes… literally anything.

The best part? It is SUPER easy to make and doesn’t require any advanced cooking skills.

Simply cook the tenders in a pan, add the sauce, and voila, you’re done!

I like to keep things simple when it comes to cooking chicken tenders. Although many Americans love crispy chicken tenders, this dish is the opposite of crispy. That’s because I’ve been avoiding using too much oil in my cooking. 

That said, if you are looking for an easy one-pan honey garlic chicken tenders recipe that won’t leave you spending hours on end in the kitchen, this is the recipe for you.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe

It’s sweet and savory: The honey garlic sauce has a mix of sweetness and umami, enhanced by a bit of tang from the red wine vinegar. 

Easy to Make: From prep to plate, these honey garlic chicken tenders take under 30 minutes to prepare.

Versatile: You can serve these tenders with rice, noodles, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients For Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

For the Chicken

Chicken Tenders: Choose fresh, tender cuts for the best texture.

Seasoning Blend: I used a mix of salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, and onion powder. The cinnamon adds a subtle warmth that beautifully balances the spices, so don’t skip it.

For the Sauce

Garlic: You will need minced garlic for this dish.

Coconut aminos: If you don’t have coconut aminos, opt for low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.

Red Wine Vinegar: Just a splash provides the perfect tang to balance the sweetness.

Honey: Honey caramelizes beautifully, coating the chicken in a nice sticky glaze. However, if you don’t have honey, you can always substitute it with maple syrup.

Butter or Oil: Butter enhances the richness, while oil keeps it light. For this dish, I decided to use oil. 

How To Prepare Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by generously seasoning the chicken tenders with the seasoning blend. Make sure each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor. 

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, adding butter or oil once hot. 

Sear the chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In the same skillet, melt a little more butter (or add a touch of oil if you prefer). 

Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. 

Pour in the coconut aminos or soy sauce, red wine vinegar, and honey, stirring well. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.

Step 3: Combine and Serve

Return the chicken tenders to the skillet, tossing them in the honey garlic sauce until fully coated. 

Cook for an additional 2 minutes, letting the sauce caramelize on the chicken. 

Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or sesame seeds for extra flair.

How to Customize the Garlic Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can customize it in various ways, but Here are a few ways I like to customize it

Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce.

Switch the Protein: Try this sauce with shrimp, tofu, or even pork chops.

Add Veggies: Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas to cook alongside the chicken for a one-pan meal.

Expert Tips for Success

Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic makes all the difference in flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic for the best results.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if needed to ensure even browning.

Deglaze the Pan: After cooking the chicken, use a splash of water or chicken broth to scrape up the browned bits before making the sauce. These bits add incredible flavor!

FAQs About Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

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Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

These honey garlic chicken tenders are sweet, savory, and perfectly caramelized for a dish that’s sure to impress—even on your busiest nights.

Total Time23 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 7 tenders

Calories: 152kcal

Author: Eleanor Henry

USAMetric

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

For The Chicken

• ▢ 1 lb chicken tenders
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ ½ tsp black pepper
• ▢ ½ tsp paprika
• ▢ ¼ tsp chili powder
• ▢ ⅛ tsp cinnamon
• ▢ ½ tsp onion powder

For The Sauce

• ▢ 3 garlic cloves - minced
• ▢ ¼ cup coconut aminos - or soy sauce (low sodium)
• ▢ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ▢ ¼ cup honey
• ▢ 2 tbsp butter - or oil

Instructions

• Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, and onion powder. Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
• Heat 1 tbsp butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken tenders and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tbsp butter (or add a splash of oil). Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in coconut aminos (or soy sauce), red wine vinegar, and honey. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
• Return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet, tossing them in the honey garlic sauce. Let the chicken simmer for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the sauce coats each piece evenly.
• Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with optional parsley or sesame seeds. Serve your honey garlic chicken tenders hot with your favorite sides!