Grown-Up Chicken Tenders
Grown-Up Chicken Tenders
This Grown-Up Chicken Tender recipe is inspired by the Almond Chicken Tenderloins recipe in the first Magnolia Table cookbook. They are relatively quick to prepare, and wonderful on their own, or chopped up in a salad the next day.
What’s special about this recipe?
Chicken tenders – they’re the kind of comfort food that makes you smile no matter your age. But who said this nostalgic favorite was just for kids? Today, we’re diving into the world of Grown-Up Chicken Tenders – a dish that’s a little fancier than the typical fast-food version, yet still down-to-earth and very good.
These chicken tenders are pan-fried, and topped with roasted, buttery almonds. A classy spin on a classic dish.
Ingredients & Supplies
To make Grown-Up Chicken Fingers you’ll need the following ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Chicken tenderloins (or chicken breast)
- Butter
- Olive Oil
- Sliced Almonds
To make Grown-Up Chicken Tenders you’ll need the following supplies:
(The following are links to some of my favorites of the needed supplies. As an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases.)
Grown-Up Chicken Tenders: Let’s get cooking!
In a shallow pie dish or plate, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper.
Sprinkle the salt evenly over the chicken tenders, then coat each tender evenly in the flour/spice mixture. Set aside in a single layer.
In a large, heavy-bottom skillet melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. When you barely wet your hand with water, and sprinkle it over the butter/oil it should pop and sizzle. This is when you know it’s hot enough to begin cooking the chicken.
Cook the chicken in small batches**** until golden brown on both sides. Roughly 3-4 minutes per side.
In between each batch of chicken, replenish the skillet with 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil.
Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, stir in the almonds and cook until golden (about 1 minute), stirring often. Pour nuts over finished chicken tenders. Enjoy!
Grown-Up Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 lbs raw chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup all-purpose flour*
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp)
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup sliced almonds**
Instructions
- In a shallow pie dish or plate, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the salt evenly over the chicken tenders, then coat each tender evenly in the flour/spice mixture. Set aside in a single layer***.
- In a large, heavy-bottom skillet melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. When you barely wet your hand with water, and sprinkle it over the butter/oil it should pop and sizzle. This is when you know it's hot enough to begin cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken in small batches**** until golden brown on both sides. Roughly 3-4 minutes per side.
- In between each batch of chicken, replenish the skillet with 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil.
- Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, stir in the almonds and cook until golden (about 1 minute), stirring often. Pour nuts over finished chicken tenders. Enjoy!
My husband and 10 month old grand daughter both loved these tenders! I subbed King Arthur gluten free flour for the AP flour and held the salt on the baby’s pieces. They cut up very nicely for her. Tender, juicy, and flavorful is how I would describe the results of this recipe. Quick and easy enough to make while babysitting, these will go into our regular rotation!
So glad they turned out well for y’all!! And glad little Ivy liked them too 🙂