Description

Chicken Tenders in a Cajun Lemon Butter Sauce offer a perfect balance of spicy Cajun seasoning, zesty lemon brightness, and rich buttery sauce that creates a bold, comforting, and tender meal. Quick and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this versatile dish is ideal for any weeknight dinner and appeals to a wide range of tastes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 lb fresh, boneless, skinless chicken tenders

Seasoning

2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and herbs)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Sauce and Cooking

2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon
2 tbsp water or chicken broth

Garnish (optional)

Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful crust that infuses the meat with spicy smokiness.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the tenders from the pan and set aside to rest.
Make the Cajun Lemon Butter Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add butter to the same skillet and melt it. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and splash in water or chicken broth to form a light sauce. Stir well to combine all flavors.
Finish and Combine: Return the chicken tenders to the pan, spooning the lemon butter sauce over them. Let them simmer in the sauce for 1-2 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving.

Notes

Make sure all chicken tenders are similar in size to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
Avoid overcrowding the skillet; cook chicken in batches if necessary to maintain a perfect sear.
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor in the sauce.
Allow the cooked chicken to rest briefly before serving to lock in juices.
Adjust the spice level by adding more Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper according to preference.
Use a nonstick skillet for easier cooking and cleanup.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 29 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: chicken tenders, Cajun, lemon butter sauce, quick dinner, spicy chicken, easy recipe, weeknight meal