Juicy chicken tenders in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with roasted garlic cloves so good, you’ll be digging them out of the pan and fighting over every bite. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish is pure comfort food perfection.
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The Ultimate Comfort Dish
Some days, you just need a quick, creamy, and downright delicious meal that doesn’t take all night to make. That’s where Chicken Tenders in Creamy Garlic Sauce comes in. This simple dish is packed with flavor, easy to whip up, and perfect for those nights when you want to impress without the stress.
This started out as one of those recipes. Thanks Cafe Delites! I’ve made a few tweaks to the original recipe., but you can view the original here.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this magical meal:
- Chicken Tenders: Fresh or thawed chicken tenders work best.
- Garlic: Garlic is KEY in this dish. And there’s A LOT of it. Like a whole freaking head of it! Trust me on this one.
- Onion: Whole yellow onion, diced.
- Butter and Olive Oil: For cooking the chicken to golden perfection.
- Cream: Heavy cream for that rich sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth and a hint of nutty flavor.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian herbs.
How to Make Chicken Tenders in Creamy Garlic Sauce
1. Prep the Chicken
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the coated chicken tenders and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F).
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Garlic and Onion
- Add the remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet.
- Smash 6 cloves of garlic to release their flavor and leave the rest whole. Add the garlic and chopped onion to the pan, sautéing for about 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
4. Deglaze the Pan
- Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits are pure flavor!
- Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Make the Sauce
- Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let it gently simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add the Parmesan cheese, stirring occasionally, until melted and incorporated.
6. Bring It All Together
Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 3 minutes. Return the chicken tenders to the pan, spooning the creamy garlic sauce over each piece.
What to Serve with Chicken Tenders in Creamy Garlic Sauce
This dish is rich and satisfying, so keep the sides simple and complementary:
- Steamed Veggies: Green beans, broccoli, or asparagus add a fresh balance to the meal.
- Pasta: Toss your favorite noodles in the garlic sauce for a comforting carb pairing.
- Rice or Mashed Potatoes: Perfect for soaking up every drop of sauce.
A Dinner Worth Fighting For
The roasted garlic in this dish is pure gold—soft, caramelized, and absolutely addictive. We’re not above a little fork battle at the table to claim the last clove. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or a cozy night in, these Chicken Tenders in Creamy Garlic Sauce will be the star of the show.
From my messy kitchen to yours,
– Abby, the Humble Housewife
Chicken Tenders in Creamy Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 package raw chicken tenders 1-1.5 lbs
- 4 tbsp flour
- 4 tbsp grated parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Sauce
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 white onion finely chopped
- 1 head of garlic
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Combine flour, parmesan, garlic powder and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken tenders in flour mixture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Add coated chicken tenders and cook 3 minutes each side. Internal temp should be 165°. Remove from pan.
- Add remaining olive oil and butter. Peel garlic. Smash 6 cloves to release flavor. The remaining cloves will soften and roast. Add peeled garlic and chopped onion to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add chicken broth to the pan scraping any stuck pieces from the bottom. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat and add heavy cream. Gently simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add cheese, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.
- Return chicken to the pan and cook covered for 3 minutes.
Recipe originally posted by Cafe Delites.
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