Description
Chicken Tenders in a Cajun Lemon Butter Sauce is a quick and easy dish that features juicy chicken tenders seasoned with bold Cajun spices and cooked in a creamy, tangy lemon butter sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe balances zesty citrus flavors with rich, spicy creaminess. It is family-friendly, versatile, and made with simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb fresh chicken tenders
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup chicken broth
Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken tenders evenly with Cajun seasoning, ensuring each piece is well coated for full flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook chicken tenders for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add Lemon and Broth: Pour in fresh lemon juice and chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Combine and Finish: Return the chicken tenders to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and let everything cook together for another minute to meld flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Pound chicken tenders lightly if uneven in thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Season generously with Cajun seasoning for bold flavor.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest rather than bottled for maximum zestiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; sear chicken in batches if needed for a crispy crust.
- Let cooked tenders rest a couple of minutes off heat to retain juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg