Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Looking to switch up your weeknight dinners? These sweet and tangy Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders are juicy and delicious. And they take 15 minutes to make on the stovetop. These tenders are a quick option for an easy dinner. Serve with your favorite sides and you’ll have a simple, flavorful meal ready in no time!

Grilled chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce, beautifully presented with broccoli and mashed potatoes on a white plate.

What Makes This Recipe A Winner?

  • Fast: Done in just 15 minutes.
  • Flavor-packed: Sweet honey paired with tangy mustard, balanced with paprika and garlic for extra flavor.
  • Small batch: This recipe makes just enough for one or two meals, perfect if you’re not into eating the same thing for days.
  • Minimal cleanup: One pan and a bowl. That’s it.
Plate with honey mustard chicken tenders, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these step by step instructions for how to make honey mustard chicken tenders.

Step 1: Make the Marinade

In a medium-sized bowl make your marinade. You’ll combine the honey, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a good whisk until everything is smooth and well combined.

Raw honey mustard chicken tenders marinating in a brown liquid inside a clear glass bowl, with metal tongs nearby. A measurement spoon and a plate with additional tenders rest in the background.

Step 2: Toss the Chicken in the Marinade

Add your chicken tenderloins to the bowl with the marinade. Toss them around until the chicken is fully coated. Let the tenders sit for 5 minutes in the marinade to soak up all that honey mustard goodness.

Step 3: Heat the Oil

While the chicken marinates, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. You want the oil to be hot but not smoking—medium heat is key here.

Cooked honey mustard chicken breast pieces in a pan with a glazed, golden-brown surface.
  • Medium heat is your friend. Cooking on high heat will burn the honey in the marinade.
  • Don’t dump the leftover marinade into the pan—it’ll burn and stick. Keep it simple!

Find the measurements and full recipe below in the recipe card!

Serving Suggestions

These Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders pair perfectly with all kinds of sides. It’s your choice if you want to keep it simple or get a little creative. Here are a few ideas to round out your meal and make it complete:

1. Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli

The ultimate comfort combo! You can go for store-bought mashed potatoes and steam-able broccoli for a no-fuss meal, or make your own if you’re feeling up for it. This combo complements the tangy sweetness of the chicken tenders.

2. Dipping Sauces

Serve the tenders with your favorite dips—ranch, BBQ, or even extra honey mustard. 

3. Over a Fresh Salad

Chop up the tenders and toss them on top of a simple salad. Think mixed greens, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. The honey mustard glaze from the chicken acts like a built-in dressing! This also works good for a quick lunch for the next day!

4. In a Wrap

Wrap the tenders in a tortilla with some lettuce, tomato, and maybe a slice of cheese or avocado. Quick, easy, and great for a lunch or light dinner.

5. With Fries or Sweet Potato Fries

For a classic pairing, serve these tenders with fries—regular or sweet potato. Air fry or bake them for an easy, crispy side that balances the juicy chicken. It will be really close to a take out feel too!

6. Roasted Veggies

Roasted broccoli, carrots, or zucchini work great here. Just toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Simple, healthy, and delicious!

A plate featuring honey mustard chicken tenders served alongside steamed broccoli and creamy mashed potatoes.

Storage and Leftovers

You’ll have a few leftovers after dinner, here’s how to store and enjoy them later:

Storage:

Fridge: Place any leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. This can pack really well for lunch for later in the week.

Freezer: To save them longer, freeze the tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months.

Reheating:

Stovetop: For the best texture, reheat the tenders in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. This will help keep the chicken crispy.

Oven/Air Fryer: Bake or air fry your tenders at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes to get them crispy again.

Microwave: If you’re in a rush, you can use the microwave, but the chicken may lose some of its crispness. Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

How to Use Leftovers:

You’ll have 1 serving as leftovers after you make this recipe. Here are a few ideas of how you can use the extra chicken the week you make it to have some a variety of meals.

Salads: Chop up the cold tenders and toss them into a salad for a quick lunch.

Wraps: Slice the leftover chicken and wrap it up with some fresh veggies in a tortilla for an easy meal.

Bowls: Make a quick grain bowl with rice, quinoa, or couscous, and add the chicken along with roasted or steamed veggies.

Recipe Card

Print
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Grilled chicken breast, reminiscent of honey mustard chicken tenders, is beautifully presented with broccoli and mashed potatoes on a white plate.

Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders Recipe

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  • Author: The Solo Spoon
  • Prep Time: 7
  • Cook Time: 8
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop

Description

These Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders are ready in just 15 minutes with a sweet and tangy marinade. Quick, flavorful, and perfect for a simple weeknight meal!


Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

  • 1 lb chicken tenderloins
  • 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

Marinade Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard powder
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all marinade ingredients into a medium sized bowl.
  2. Add chicken tenders and toss to coat. Marinate for 5 minutes.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  4. Add in the chicken tenders.
  5. Cook on each side for 3 – 4 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Notes

  • Do not pour the leftover marinade in the skillet. It will burn.
  • Be sure to cook the tenders on medium heat. Cooking on high heat will cause the honey in the marinade to burn.

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