The Best Easy Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders Recipe

These chicken tenders recipe features a delicious marinade with aromatic garlic, whole-grain mustard, sweet honey, and spices—perfect for busy weeknights!

Recipe Run-Down

• 15 minutes to marinate.
• The marinade is good for 2 pounds of chicken tender filets.
• Cooks up in 15 minutes!

This chicken tender recipe is dedicated to my father's beloved partner, Donna. She has been one of my greatest supporters on the blog. I'm genuinely grateful for her ♡.

While crafting the recipe, my main focus was to make it quick and easy for her to prepare since she works full-time. To achieve this, I decided to use whole-grain mustard, honey, and garlic as the primary flavor components, as both deliver a strong flavor without much effort.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Chicken tenders: They are a tender cut of the long innermost muscle of the chicken breast.
• Mustard: Whole-grain Dijon mustard will give the tang we all love and those beautiful grains throughout the marinade.
• Honey: For sweetness.
• Herbs and Spices: You'll need dried oregano, smoked paprika, garlic, salt and pepper. It's going to give these chicken tenders so much flavor. We'll garnish with fresh flat-leaf parsley right before serving.
• Lemon juice: All marinades need an acid. In this case, we'll use lemon juice. It tenderizes the chicken and adds a nice bright touch.
• Olive Oil: Use a nice quality olive oil. It will contribute to the overall flavor.

Honey Mustard Marinade Details

Stove-Top Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add a thin layer of olive oil, swirl to coat the bottom of the pan, and place the chicken tenders flat-side down. Discard the remaining marinade.
2. Flip the chicken once golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Cook until an internal temperature reaches 165°F (73°C).
4. Remove the chicken from the pan. Rest for 2-3 minutes before enjoying.
5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Grilling Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
2. Place the chicken on the grill and discard the remaining marinade.
3. Grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
4. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and keep it moist.

Baking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (73°C).
2. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Pro tip: Add the chicken with the marinade for saucy chicken. Drain the excess marinade for crispy chicken by placing it over paper towels. Continue to cook as instructed above.

How to know if the Chicken is cooked?

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer. Additionally, the juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.

Is it Safe to Marinate Chicken Overnight?

Yes, it is safe to marinate chicken overnight as long as it is always kept refrigerated. Marinating chicken for an extended period allows the flavors to penetrate the meat more deeply, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

Serving Tips

Serve these tenders with a simple side salad like my family favorite Shirazi salad, or my red cabbage salad with Greek dressing.

For a complete meal, pair it with rice or quinoa, and a hearty soup like my Zuppa Toscana recipe (pork-free) or my salmon soup with lemon and dill.

More Crave-Worthy Chicken Recipes

• Za'atar Chicken Thighs with Tahini and Garlic
• 5 Mediterranean Chicken Marinade Recipes
• Creamy Chicken Salad
• Lemon Chicken Recipe

Did you try this honey mustard chicken tenders recipe? Let us know in the comments along with a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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