Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Lemon pepper chicken tenders are made from scratch along with a buttery-rich sauce infused with fresh lemon and a peppery kick.

Love comforting meals? Try our creamy honey mustard chicken.

There’s no doubt we love anything lemon flavored, such as lemon chicken orzo soup recipe. Now these lemon pepper chicken tenders just might be the best meal to make this spring! It comes together quickly using chicken tenders rather than chicken breast.

The tenders are coated in a spice mixture, pan-cooked, and served in the most luscious lemon butter sauce to pour over our best garlic mashed potatoes.

This one-pan meal is bright, lemony, and makes the perfect dish to serve at a large gathering or dinner for your family.

Why This Recipe Works 

This chicken recipe works for so many different reasons. 

• It’s easy to make with ingredients you can find at any grocery store.  
• The black pepper, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and parsley make the sauce incredibly flavorful and delicious to the last bite. 
• The chicken can be served over pesto pasta, mashed cauliflower, or rice so that every drop of sauce is soaked up and enjoyed. 
• The breading on the chicken is made with flour and seasonings, and it’s light and not overly heavy, making them perfectly crispy and tasty. 

How to make lemon pepper chicken tenders 

Whisk together the flour with spices. Sprinkle over the chicken and toss to coat.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet and when it’s hot, add the chicken tenders and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan. 

Melt butter in the skillet, add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Then add the lemon juice and simmer until reduced by half. Stir in the remaining butter and lemon zest. 

Return chicken tenders to the pan and cook until heated through. Sprinkle in the parsley and serve while it’s hot. 

What are some other ways to cook lemon pepper chicken tenders?

While this recipe cooks the chicken in a saute pan before making the sauce in the same pan, you can also cook the chicken with other methods.

Try using the air fryer for delicious crusted chicken. Bake them in the oven on a sheet pan drizzled with olive oil, grill them outside, or use a grill pan on the stove.

Check to ensure the chicken is fully cooked using a digital thermometer before serving with the lemon butter sauce.

How to Serve

Place a scoop of rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes on a plate, lay chicken over the top, and spoon sauce over it. Sprinkle with extra parsley if you have some saved. 

You can also serve it with garlic sourdough bread, roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes, or a crunchy green salad. 

The key is to balance the flavors and textures of the main dish with the side dishes. 

How to Store

Refrigerate: Store any leftover chicken in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave with 30-second increments until the chicken has reached 165F. 

Freeze: This is also a great dish to freeze and save for later. You can even make two batches, one to eat and one to give to a friend or family member. 

Place the chicken and sauce in an airtight container and freeze for three months. Remember to label it with the title and date, so you don’t forget what you’ve frozen when you pull it out later. 

Set it in the fridge to thaw for 24 hours before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Chicken Recipes

Here are some more delicious recipes for you to try: 

• Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe
• Lemon Asparagus Chicken Pasta
• Herb Roasted Chicken
• Grilled Chicken Tenders

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