Let’s be honest: chicken tenders are usually destined for breadcrumbs and a deep fryer. But today, we’re treating them to a major glow-up.
Because chicken tenders are inherently thin and portioned out, they are the ultimate weeknight cheat code. They cook completely in under 8 minutes, remaining incredibly juicy and tender. In this recipe, we’re skipping the breading entirely. Instead, we’re giving them a quick, golden pan-sear and then blanketing them in a luxurious, garlic-forward cream sauce dotted with sweet sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach.
The best part? This entire dish comes together in just one skillet in about 20 minutes. It tastes like something you’d order at a cozy, high-end Italian restaurant, but requires absolutely zero culinary gymnastics. Grab your favorite skillet, and let’s get cooking!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
What You’ll Need:
For the Chicken:
- 1 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Creamy Garlic Pan Sauce:
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), drained and roughly chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth (or a dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated melts best!)
- 2 packed cups fresh baby spinach
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make It:
1. Season and Sear:
Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Season them evenly on both sides with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the chicken tenders. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
2. Build the Flavor Base:
Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet (don't wipe it out—those brown bits are pure flavor!), add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Toss in the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 1 minute, just until the garlic is super fragrant.
3. Deglaze and Simmer:
Pour in the chicken broth (or wine). As it bubbles, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid reduce by half (about 2 minutes).
4. Create the Cream Sauce:
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it begins to thicken beautifully.
5. Wilt the Greens and Combine:
Stir in the fresh spinach and let it cook for 1 minute until just wilted. Nestle the golden chicken tenders back into the pan, spooning that luxurious, creamy sauce all over them. Let everything simmer together for 1 final minute to heat the chicken through.
6. Garnish and Serve:
Top with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, and serve immediately!
What to Serve It With 🍽️
Because this sauce is rich, savory, and downright addictive, you are absolutely going to want something to soak it up. Here are a few perfect pairings:
- The Carb-Lover’s Dream: Toss the chicken and sauce directly over a bed of freshly boiled linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair pasta. The sauce will coat the noodles perfectly.
- The Mop-It-Up Classic: A warm, crusty baguette or a few slices of toasted garlic bread are strictly mandatory for swiping through the leftover sauce at the bottom of the pan.
- The Lighter Side: If you want to cut through the richness, serve this alongside a crisp arugula salad dressed with a simple, zesty lemon vinaigrette.
- The Comfort Combo: Spoon the chicken and sauce over a generous scoop of buttery mashed potatoes or creamy Parmesan polenta for the ultimate cozy bowl.
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