Chicken tenderloins are a quick and easy protein to cook for dinner. Also known as chicken tenders or chicken strips, they cook up juicy and delicious in about 15 minutes on the stovetop.
Chicken tenderloins refer to the tender muscle attached to the underside of a chicken breast. When buying chicken, sometimes the tenderloin is still attached to the breast and other times it is removed and sold separately.
The great thing about cooking chicken tenderloins on the stove is you don’t need a lot of extra ingredients – a little olive oil or butter and seasoning is all you need for delicious pan-fried chicken They cook up with a nice browned exterior while the inside stays moist and tender
Here’s everything you need to know about how to cook chicken tenderloins perfectly on the stovetop and a few serving ideas to make it a complete meal
Benefits of Cooking Chicken Tenderloins on the Stove
There are several benefits to cooking chicken tenderloins in a skillet on the stovetop:
-
It’s fast – Chicken tenderloins cook through in just 12-15 minutes start to finish That makes it one of the quickest proteins you can make for dinner
-
Uses minimal ingredients – All you need is olive oil or butter, seasoning of your choice, and the raw chicken tenderloins. The seasonings can be as simple as just salt and pepper.
-
Adds nice browning – Pan frying causes the exterior of the chicken to brown and get a little crispy in spots while the interior stays juicy. This adds great flavor.
-
Versatile for meals – Cooked chicken tenderloins are tasty on their own or can be chopped up for meals like chicken salad, pasta dishes, soups, and more.
-
Easy to double or triple – Making extra chicken tenderloins on the stove takes the same amount of time whether you make a single batch or a triple batch. Meal prep made easy!
-
Minimal dishes – With just a skillet and spatula needed, clean up is a breeze after enjoying these quick chicken dinners.
Ingredients Needed
Cooking chicken tenderloins on the stove couldn’t be simpler in terms of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken tenderloins (also sold as chicken tenders or chicken strips)
- Olive oil or butter for cooking
- Seasonings of your choice
When buying the chicken, you can find raw chicken tenderloins sold separately in the meat department or freezer section. Or, buy chicken breasts and remove the tenderloin yourself.
For 1 pound of chicken tenderloins, you’ll need:
- 2-3 teaspoons olive oil or butter
- 1-2 teaspoons seasoning blend
Some easy seasoning ideas include lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, jerk seasoning, or just salt and pepper.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly pan-fried chicken tenderloins every time.
1. Pat the Chicken Dry
- Rinse the chicken tenderloins under cool water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Ensuring the chicken is dry before cooking helps get an evenly browned exterior.
2. Season the Chicken
-
Place the chicken in a bowl or zip top bag. Add olive oil or melted butter and your desired seasonings.
-
Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Add more seasoning if needed.
3. Heat the Skillet
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add just enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
4. Cook the Chicken
-
Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
-
Cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring. Resist the urge to move the chicken so it can get a nice sear.
-
After 2-3 minutes, flip each piece and cook an additional 2-3 minutes on the second side.
-
Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The total stovetop cooking time is 12-15 minutes.
5. Remove and Serve
-
Use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken tenderloins to a clean platter.
-
Sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired. Enjoy immediately.
And that’s it – perfectly pan-seared chicken tenderloins ready in about 15 minutes!
Stovetop Cooking Tips
-
Use a skillet large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer. Overcrowding will cause it to steam instead of brown.
-
Allow the oil to fully heat before adding the chicken. Hot oil helps promote browning.
-
Resist the urge to move the chicken for the first 2-3 minutes. Let it sear undisturbed to get a nice crust.
-
Use a thin metal spatula to flip the chicken. Plastic can stick.
-
Cook over medium-high heat. Too high of heat may burn the exterior before the inside cooks through.
-
Wash hands and cooking utensils immediately after handling raw chicken to prevent cross contamination.
Serve Chicken Tenderloins 3 Ways
Chicken tenderloins are so versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:
As a Main Dish
Enjoy the chicken tenderloins as a main course protein. Quick side dishes that pair nicely include:
- Roasted potatoes or sweet potato wedges
- Sauteed vegetables like zucchini or broccoli
- Rice pilaf or cauliflower rice
- A fresh green salad
Offer ranch or bbq sauce for dipping.
In a Chicken Salad
Chop or shred the cooked chicken and use it to make chicken salad. Just combine with mayo, chopped celery, seasonings, and any other desired ingredients. Enjoy in a sandwich or over a salad.
Over a Salad
Slice the chicken into strips. Layer it over a fresh salad along with your favorite veggies, cheese, nuts, dressing, and other toppings.
Meal Prep Chicken Tenderloins
Chicken tenderloins are perfect for meal prepping. To meal prep:
-
Prepare a triple batch of chicken tenderloins on the stove. Let cool.
-
Portion into individual meal prep containers along with veggies, carbs, etc.
-
Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
-
Reheat in the microwave or oven as needed.
Having pre-made protein ready to go makes it so easy to assemble healthy lunches and dinners throughout the busy work week.
More Quick Stovetop Chicken Recipes
If you love fast and easy chicken dinners made on the stovetop, try these recipes:
-
Lemon Chicken Piccata – sauteed chicken breasts in a lemony pan sauce
-
Chicken Fajitas – classic Tex-mex chicken strips with bell peppers and onions
-
Chicken Parmesan – breaded chicken topped with marinara and mozzarella
-
Sesame Chicken – coated in an easy homemade sweet and savory sauce
-
Teriyaki Chicken – a flavorful Asian inspired chicken dish
The next time you need a fast, budget-friendly dinner, turn to quick cooking chicken tenderloins made right on the stovetop. In just 15 minutes you can have a meal the whole family will love.
What is Chicken Tenderloin?
Chicken tenderloin refers to a specific part of the chicken breast thats a small, tender muscle located underneath the breast meat, attached to the underside of the breast itself. Sometimes when you buy chicken breasts the tenderloin is attached, and othertimes its not.
When we refer to the term chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins, were referring to the raw fresh or frozen boneless pieces NOT the precooked frozen ones you find breaded in the freezer section (although we do include one air fryer precooked breaded recipe in the list).
Regardless, you can also buy just the uncooked chicken tenderloins like we did for all of these recipes.
For most of our chicken tender recipes you need the raw chicken, a fat to cook it in like butter, olive oil, or cooking spray, and then seasoning.
- chicken tenderloin (or raw chicken tenders or even boneless skinless chicken tenders cut into strips)
- butter – melted or olive oil
- chicken rub – we love our chicken rub recipe but you can also use your favorite store bought brand too. Our rub recipe is for dry rub wings but we use this on all types of poultry.
- Other optional seasoning ideas- garlic powder or fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, lemon juice, or red pepper flakes
Whether you are keeping things simple with just salt and pepper, getting adventurous with Cajun or Mexican seasoning, or going for something savory with a mix of Italian herbs, theyre super easy to change the flavor depending on your mood.
Cooking chicken breast tenderloin (6 Ways!)
In our home, we love chicken tenders! This cut of meat is often cheaper than other chicken cuts and they cook up super fast – often in 10-minutes or less. You can even cook chicken tenderloin pieces from frozen when you need something in a pinch.
How to Cook Chicken Breasts on the Stovetop
FAQ
How long does it take for chicken tenderloins to cook in a pan?
Once hot, cook the tenderloins for 6-7 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F and golden brown on all sides.Jun 12, 2025
How long does it take to cook chicken on the stove?