Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders Recipe
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!
Flavorful Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders baked in the oven are a versatile and simple main dish entree that can be casual or elegant when paired with your favorite sides.
Prep Time: 15minutes
Cook Time: 25minutes
Total Time: 40minutes
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4 Servings
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.
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 472mg | Potassium: 895mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg