Description
A quick and zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders recipe featuring tender chicken coated in a flavorful lemon pepper flour mix, pan-fried to perfection, and finished with a delicious lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner packed with bright, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 lemon (juice of)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the all purpose flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt. Toss the chicken tenderloins in this mixture until they are evenly coated on all sides.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place a single layer of coated chicken tenders in the pan. Cook undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes to develop a golden crust, then flip and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders, adding more oil as necessary.
- Create the Lemon Butter Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to low and add the fresh lemon juice and butter to the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Once the butter melts and combines with the lemon juice, return all the cooked chicken tenders to the pan and toss them well to coat with the lemon butter sauce thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the lemon pepper chicken tenders to a serving plate, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- You can adjust the lemon pepper seasoning amount based on your taste preference.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or rice for a complete meal.
- For a zestier flavor, add lemon zest along with the juice in the sauce stage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lemon pepper chicken tenders, lemon pepper chicken, pan-fried chicken, quick chicken recipe, lemon butter chicken
