For dinner tonight, whip up one of our quick and delicious chicken tenderloin recipes. You'll have a meal on the table in no time!
33 Chicken Tenderloin Recipes for Speedy Dinners
Updated on Jun. 06, 2024
1/33
Southern Fried Chicken Strips
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
There’s no shortage of ways to cook chicken tenderloins, but the most popular has to be crispy, crunchy chicken fingers. Use 1-1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder to make these chicken strips supremely irresistible.
2/33
Sheet-Pan Pineapple Chicken Fajitas
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For our fajitas, I combine chicken and pineapple for a different flavor. These fajitas are more on the sweet side, but my family loves them! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Making fajitas in the oven instead of on the grill or stovetop helps you get dinner on the table in a flash, with a lot less mess. To make cleanup a breeze, line your sheet pans with heavy-duty aluminum foil first, or use truly nonstick cookware that needs little more than a quick rinse.
3/33
Air-Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
Nowhere near Nashville, but have a hankering for the city’s famous hot chicken? This recipe will bring an authentic taste of Music City directly to your kitchen, wherever it may be.
4/33
Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These chicken tenders get a spicy kick from homemade Buffalo sauce. They taste as if they’re from a restaurant, but they are so easy to make at home. Blue cheese salad dressing for dipping takes them over the top. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
For the best of Buffalo wings without the bones, make easy Buffalo chicken tenders instead. To keep your fingers clean, cut the chicken tenders into bite-size pieces before breading and frying. Then serve your Buffalo popcorn chicken with toothpicks.
5/33
Dinner Poppers
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I could eat jalapeno poppers all day long, but who wants to say they had seven stuffed peppers for dinner? For this meal-in-one, I use poblanos for my husband and son, and hotter peppers for my daughter and me. —Sherri Jerzyk, Tucson, Arizona
Turn jalapeno poppers from an appetizer into a proper entree with this recipe for cheese-stuffed dinner poppers. Poblanos or bell peppers work well for milder palates; use spicier peppers if you like feeling the burn.
6/33
Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I added all of the components of a loaded baked potato—cheddar, potato, bacon, sour cream and chives—to my air-fryer chicken tenders recipe. Every kid will love this quick and easy dish! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
7/33
Chicken Piccata Pockets
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves chicken piccata. I tried it in a puff pastry pocket with a bit of cream cheese; it tasted sensational. When he took leftovers to work, everyone asked what smelled so great. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
You can enjoy chicken piccata just about anywhere you please when you make it portable! These are wonderful when hot out of the oven, but you can enjoy them cooled for a workplace lunch or in an elegant picnic basket.
8/33
Baked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispiness of this chicken, and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Try something different with breaded chicken tenders—smother them with a fresh tomato relish that’s equal parts sweet, tart and smoky. You’ll want to serve this sauce again on grilled fish, pork chops or sandwiches, so double the recipe! Next, learn how to make panko chicken tenders.
9/33
Air-Fryer Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The coating adds a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
Tired of the usual chicken nuggets? Give this version a whirl. It uses pulverized sweet potato chips to make a salty-sweet coating. For dipping, make a batch of spiced maple mustard or spice up ranch dressing with a spoonful of adobo from a can of chipotles.
Honey-Dijon Chicken Salad
This delightful main-dish salad has an easy dressing that lends a sweet-tangy flavor to the mix. You can follow the recipe as-is, or add in whatever healthy salad toppers you have on hand.
10/33
11/33
Chicken and Shrimp Satay
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I lightened up a recipe that I found in a cookbook, and these grilled kabobs were the tasty result. The scrumptious peanut butter dipping sauce is always a hit. —Hannah Barringer of Loudon, Tennessee
Why choose between chicken or shrimp? You can have both! Marinated in a blend of garlic, green onions and citrus, and served with a tangy peanut sauce, this recipe packs an unbelievable amount of flavor onto every single skewer.
12/33
Thai Chicken Wraps
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Thanks to quick-cooking chicken, convenient broccoli slaw mix, and an easy peanut sauce, you can wrap up dinner in 25 minutes. —Trudy Williams, Shannonville, Ontario
13/33
Grecian Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The caper, tomato and olive flavors will whisk you away to the Greek isles. This easy skillet dish is perfect for hectic weeknights. —Jan Marler, Murchison, Texas
The caper, tomato and olive flavors will whisk you away to the Greek isles in no time at all! Serve this with a big Greek salad on the side, plus plenty of salty feta cheese and a basket of homemade pita.
14/33
Tex-Mex Chicken Strips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
These chicken strips have serious crunch thanks to a coating make of crushed-up corn chips. If you like to dip chicken strips, use homemade guacamole, sour cream or ranch.
15/33
Skillet Plum Chicken Tenders
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love plums, this recipe is for you! I combine the fruit with chicken tenders for a quick, easy and flavorful meal. Serve with brown rice or orzo pasta. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
For a dinner that’s deliciously different, saute chicken tenders with sliced fresh plums. The flavor explosion doesn’t stop with fruit—there’s sweet apple jelly, savory red onion, spicy gingerroot, soy sauce and a bright pop of acid from balsamic vinegar.
16/33
Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Layered desserts always grab my family’s attention, but salads? Not
so much. I wondered if I could get everyone on board by presenting
a healthy salad in an eye-catching way. I’m happy to say that it worked. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts
Have a trifle bowl that’s gathering dust? Put it to with this chopped salad, which layers zesty chicken and crisp romaine lettuce with tender grilled vegetables. For extra texture, add a few layers of seasoned croutons.
17/33
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Filled with chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts and carrots, these lettuce wraps are both healthy and yummy. The gingerroot, rice wine vinegar and teriyaki sauce give them delicious Asian flair. —Kendra Doss, Smithville, Missouri
18/33
Citrus-Honey Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We raise heirloom-breed chickens, so I'm always looking for chicken recipes. This one with oven baked chicken tenderloins and orange and honey flavors is tops at our house. —Beth Nafziger, Lowville, NY
Oranges and chicken will always be a match made in heaven. In this easy recipe, chicken tenderloins are tossed in orange juice before being dredged in a breading spiked with orange zest. Add even more citrus flavor with a splash of freshly squeezed OJ in the warm honey butter sauce!
19/33
Mango & Grilled Chicken Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We live in the hot South, and this awesome fruity chicken salad is a weeknight standout. I buy salad greens and add veggies for color and crunch. —Sherry Little, Sherwood, Arkansas
This awesome fruity chicken salad is a weeknight standout, delivering a ton of big, bold flavor in a short amount of time. If you’d rather not use store-bought dressing, make your own raspberry vinaigrette at home.
20/33
Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
For a more grown-up take on crispy chicken tenders (and for a fun way to use up the bounty of a kitchen herb garden), this recipe loads up the breading with plenty of aromatic sage. If you don’t have fresh sage on hand, use dried or frozen herbs instead.
21/33
Apricot Cranberry Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Before we had kids, my husband and I used to make a lot of challenging recipes, but now we keep things a little simpler. This tangy chicken has big flavors that everybody likes. —Brooke Ruzek, Elk River, Minnesota
Outside of chicken, olive oil and salt, you’ll only need five pantry ingredients to make this chicken dish. It simply explodes with autumn flavors, so serve with simple sides, like rice pilaf and an easy side salad.
22/33
Crispy BBQ Chip Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
These crunchy chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
These crunchy potato chip-crusted chicken tenders are a whole lot of fun. If you have extra time, roast a head of garlic and add it to the sauce.
23/33
Apple-Mustard Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband says this dish is sweet and a little bit sassy, just like me. I like to use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness. Winesaps are great for this dish, too. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Have an excess of apples from an apple-picking trip? This five-ingredient recipe is a great way to put them to work. Use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness, though any cooking apple will work wonderfully.
24/33
Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Bacon
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fuss-free meal is a favorite in our house, with its tender chicken, tortillas, crunchy vegetables and spicy buffalo wing sauce. Feel free to change the veggies to suit your taste. —Sarah Gottschalk, Richmond, Indiana
This fuss-free meal combines tender chicken, tortillas, crunchy vegetables and spicy buffalo wing sauce. This 10 minute lunch can be served with chips, fries or even more veggies.
25/33
Mexican Skillet Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I never come home with leftovers when I take this dish to potlucks and parties. But I do bring back quite a few compliments. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
This skillet dinner is colorful with just a bit of bite. The classic blend of Tex-Mex ingredients combined with the use of jarred salsas and peppers make it not only convenient but also a sure-fire hit.
26/33
Basil-Lemon Chicken
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though I'm not known for my green thumb, I've somehow managed to keep a kitchen herb garden going. I chose this skillet lemon basil chicken to debut my first batch of fresh herbs. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
This herby chicken sits on a bed of thin angel hair pasta for a light but satisfying dinner. The lemon-wine sauce can be doubled for a creamier dish.
27/33
Chicken-Pepper Alfredo
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I want a lighter dinner, I use lean turkey bacon in this recipe. It gives the pasta that richness you want without all the extra fat. —Courtney Harris, Denton, Texas
This rich and creamy pasta uses jarred sauce for extra convenience. The roasted red pepper Alfredo sauce, bacon and mushrooms give the quick dinner a full flavor. The smokiness from the bacon really complements the seasoned chicken.
28/33
Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a day of simmering in the slow-cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. It's almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas
After a day of simmering in the slow cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. Full of pepperoni, sausage and tender braised chicken tenderloins, it’s almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta!
29/33
Seasoned Chicken Strips
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
These savory strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would be great on top of a Caesar or kale salad.
30/33
Lime-Ginger Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We cook a lot of boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they're low in fat, high in protein, and almost always a smart buy at the grocery store. To keep things exciting, I add a few of our favorites to the mix like jalapenos, lime and fresh ginger. —Samantha Anderson, Fort Worth, Texas
Even if you’ve never cooked a single thing in your life, you can make this ultra-flavorful chicken dish and be completely blown away. All you need to do is toss chicken tenderloins in a baking dish with bold, simple ingredients like lime juice, cilantro and cumin, bake for 20 to 25 minutes, and enjoy!
31/33
Chicken Soba Noodle Toss
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite meals for busy weeknights. You can prepare all the ingredients the day before and then put the dish together just before dinner. —Elizabeth Brown, Lowell, Massachusetts
This dish gets from the stove to the table faster than takeout gets to your front door. Using a bag of fresh broccoli stir-fry blend vegetables helps save time; if you’re not big on broccoli, any package of stir-fry vegetables will do.
32/33
Chicken Jambalaya
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a great easy chicken jambalaya recipe. It's great to serve at parties and it reheats well after! —Lynn Desjardins, Atkinson, New Hampshire
33/33
Italian Chicken Tenderloins
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My friend made this meal for my husband and me after our first child was born. Since chicken tenderloin recipes can be so caloric, I trimmed down the fat and carbs, but we love it just the same. —Beth Ann Stein, Richmond, Indiana
Consider this a slightly lighter take on chicken Parmigiana. Instead of being coated in bread crumbs and fried in oil, the chicken tenderloins are coated in a mixture of flour and ground Parmesan cheese, gently sauteed and topped with a light tomato-based sauce.
