Honey Garlic Chicken Tenderloin Recipe

By Rena Awada | Updated On April 8, 2023

This delicious honey garlic chicken tenderloin recipe is easy to make and so flavorful. It uses simple ingredients and can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes. Great paired with a variety of sides for an easy, tasty weeknight meal!

Chicken tenders in a honey garlic sauce.


Need a quick and easy meal that tastes amazing? This chicken tenderloin recipe made with an irresistible honey garlic sauce checks off all of the boxes. It’s inexpensive to make, is quick to cook, and is packed with flavor. The chicken tenders are pan-fried on the stovetop and then the honey garlic sauce is made in the same pan with honey, garlic, lime juice, and coconut aminos. Serve with potatoes, rice, veggies, or salad. This recipe is great for meal prepping too!

Why you should make this recipe

  • Quick and easy to make: The list of ingredients is simple and making this honey garlic chicken recipe is a breeze. Everything cooks in one pan and comes together with very little effort and is ready in less than 30 minutes.
  • Healthy: This simple chicken tenderloin recipe is made with good-for-you ingredients, and it’s really satisfying and loaded with plenty of protein.
  • Delicious: The chicken cooks up perfectly juicy and tender and the sauce adds amazing flavor!
  • Meal-prep friendly: This dish stores really well, so it’s great for making ahead of time!
Honey garlic chicken tenderloin recipe topped with green onions.

Ingredients needed for this honey garlic chicken

  • Chicken: You’ll need about 1 1/2 pounds of chicken tenderloins.
  • Seasonings: The chicken is seasoned with Italian seasoning, salt & pepper.
  • Flour: To dredge the chicken in for a nice outside crust. Use gluten-free flour, as needed.
  • Olive oil: For cooking the chicken. Feel free to sub with avocado oil.
  • For the sauce: A combination of lime juice (or lemon juice), chopped garlic cloves, honey, and coconut aminos make up the incredible sauce.
  • Green onions: Finishes the dish with a pop of color and freshness.
Raw chicken tenderloins, honey, flour and seasonings divided into small portions.

How to make this recipe

  1. Season the chicken tenderloins: Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to the chicken, then dredge each tenderloin into the flour to evenly coat.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat half of the oil in a large skillet and cook half of the chicken tenders until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside and repeat with the remaining oil and chicken.
  1. Make the sauce: To the same preheated pan, add the lime juice and scrape the brown bits from the bottom. Add in the garlic, honey, and coconut aminos, and stir until combined into a sauce.
  2. Add the chicken to the sauce: Return the chicken tenders into the sauce and spoon it over, while still on the heat, and rewarm. Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions.

Expert Tips

  • Size of tenders: It’s best to choose chicken tenderloins that are approximately the same size so that they cook at the same rate. If you can’t find chicken tenderloins, feel free to buy chicken breasts and cut them into tenders.
  • Pan-frying the chicken: Give the tenders space in the skillet while frying it, you want it to sear nicely and not steam. You will more than likely need to cook the chicken in two batches.
  • Checking for doneness: To ensure the chicken tenders are fully cooked, we suggest using a meat thermometer; when inserted into the thickest part of the tender, the temperature should read 160 to 165 degrees F. You can remove the chicken from the heat at 160ºF because it will continue to cook in the pan, even after being removed from the heat.
top view chicken tenders in a honey garlic sauce in black pan

Frequently asked questions

Should you flour chicken before pan-frying?

To seal in moisture and give the outside of the chicken a nice crust, we recommend dredging the chicken in flour before cooking.

How long does it take to cook chicken tenderloins in a skillet?

In a heated skillet, chicken tenders usually take about 3 to 4 minutes per side. You can check to see if it’s fully cooked with a meat thermometer or by slightly cutting into the center of a tenderloin and ensuring it is not pink and the juices run clear.

What goes well with the honey garlic chicken?

This chicken tenderloin recipe is great paired with many different side dishes. We often enjoy it served alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or cauliflower rice to soak up the honey garlic sauce. The chicken also tastes good with almost any vegetable. Try it with our roasted green beansasparagusbroccolini, garlic-roasted vegetables, or roasted sweet potatoes. A side salad would be a great pairing too!

Storage recommendations

  • Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: For best results, reheat on the stovetop or in the oven at 350ºF until it’s warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings in 30-second increments.
Honey garlic chicken tenderloins cooking in a skillet.

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top view chicken tenders in a honey garlic sauce

Honey Garlic Chicken Tenderloin Recipe

This delicious honey garlic chicken tenderloin recipe is easy to make and so flavorful. It uses simple ingredients and can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes. Great paired with a variety of sides for an easy, tasty weeknight meal! 
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 375kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins
  • Kosher salt and ground pepper to taste
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup flour GF if needed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 2-3 green onions chopped

Instructions

  • Season the chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then dredge each into the flour to evenly coat.
  • Heat half of the oil in a large skillet and cook half of the chicken tenders until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside and repeat with the remaining oil and chicken.
  • To the same preheated pan, add the lime juice and scrape the brown bits from the bottom. Add in the garlic, honey, and coconut aminos, and stir until combined into a sauce.
  • Return the chicken tenders into the sauce and spoon it over, while still on the heat, and rewarm. Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions.

Notes

  • Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: For best results, reheat on the stovetop or in the oven at 350ºF until it’s warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings in 30 second increments.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 699mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg
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