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Zesty lemon and pepper seasnoning combines to create this juicy Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders baked entrée. Baked to golden perfection in less than 40 minutes, this recipe is a simple yet mouth-watering main dish that pairs well with your favorite sides.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders is an ideal choice when you want a nourishing and appetizing meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for gatherings, this chicken tray bake will be a hit!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- How To Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- Storing and Reheating
- Alternative Cooking Methods
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Lemony Recipes
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s delicious. The tangy lemon and zesty pepper seasoning pack a punch of flavor.
- It’s easy. Marinate the chicken and bake it in the oven. It’s ready in less than 40 minutes.
- Versatile: Enjoy as an appetizer, or main dish, paired with your favorite sides and dipping sauce.
Ingredients to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders: Tender and juicy chicken breast sliced into strips are ideal for soaking up marinades. You can buy them precut or slice chicken breast yourself.
- Marinade: This bright and flavorful marinade consists of olive oil, lemon juice, onion powder, dried cilantro, lemon zest, and dijon mustard.
- Stock: Chicken stock, paprika, and cornstarch create a slurry to pour over the chicken that creates a sauce as it bakes. You can use vegetable stock instead.
- Garnishes: Lemon wedges and fresh cilantro add bright colors and flavors to the chicken. Feel free to leave them off if you like.
How To Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Prepare the equipment. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with oil and set it aside.
Step 2: Mix the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon zest, dried cilantro, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
Step 3: Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken tenders to the marinade and coat them thoroughly. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4: Transfer the chicken. Transfer the marinated chicken to the prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Make the sauce. In the remaining marinade, add chicken stock, paprika, and cornstarch. Mix well.
Step 6: Bake the chicken. Pour the mixture over the chicken tenders in the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
Step 7: Baste and continue baking. Baste the chicken with the liquid in the baking dish and continue baking for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 8: Garnish and serve. Once done, garnish the chicken with fresh cilantro and serve alongside lemon wedges.
Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- Prep the chicken: Remove the tendon from chicken fingers before cooking. If cutting chicken fingers from a larger chicken breast, cut into similar sized pieces. Piercing the chicken before marinating allows the flavors to seep deeper into the chicken, yielding more tender chicken.
- Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Marinate: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Sautéed veggies or Roasted Mixed Vegetables would make an excellent partner for this tender chicken recipe. Add some Mashed Potatoes and or a House Salad for the perfect Sunday dinner. And, don’t forget the dessert – Mini Lemon Cheesecake or Chocolate Pear Cake would pair wonderfully with the bright citrus.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Store the chicken for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Let the chicken cool completely first.
To reheat: Reheat in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or the microwave until warmed through. In the microwave, cover the dish with a damp paper towel or another plate to keep it from drying out.
Freezing: You can freeze this dish without the garnishes for 2-3 months. Place in an airtight container or ziplock bag with as much air squeezed out as possible. Lay flat for easy storing and thawing.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Pan-Searing: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Sear the marinated chicken tenders for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Grilling: Marinate the chicken as instructed, then grill over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through. Baste with the marinade while grilling for extra flavor.
Slow Cooking: Place the marinated chicken tenders in a slow cooker with the marinade and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
A simple meat thermometer can help with this. Stick the tip into the thickest portion of the chicken, and when it reads 165 degrees the fingers are finished.
Yes! You can switch chicken tenders for thighs in this recipe. Adjust cooking time accordingly as it may change based on the thickness of the thighs.
More Lemony Recipes
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Fingers
- Rosemary Lemon Chicken Breast
- Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon
- Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
With simple ingredients and easy preparation, it’s time to elevate your chicken game with this irresistible Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders recipe! They are perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends and pair well with almost any side dish.
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 lb chicken tenders
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon cornstarch
- Fresh cilantro, to garnish
- Lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with oil and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon zest, dried cilantro, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the chicken tenders to the marinade and coat them thoroughly. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Transfer the marinated chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- In the remaining marinade, add chicken stock, paprika, and cornstarch. Mix well.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken tenders in the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
- Baste the chicken with the liquid in the baking dish and continue baking for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Once done, garnish the chicken with fresh cilantro and serve alongside lemon wedges.
Notes
- Prep the chicken: Remove the tendon from chicken fingers before cooking. If cutting chicken fingers from a larger chicken breast, cut into similar sized pieces. Piercing the chicken before marinating allows the flavors to seep deeper into the chicken, yielding more tender chicken.
- Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Marinate: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
