Name: Blackened Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken tenders; 3 tablespoons avocado oil (or oil of choice); 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning mix (link to blackened seasoning recipe)

Flavorful Blackened Chicken Tenders are coated in oil and a homemade blackened seasoning blend, then seared in a hot pan until perfectly charred on the outside and tender and juicy inside. An incredibly tasty chicken recipe that can be enjoyed on its own with a side of veggies and your favorite dipping sauce, or added to sandwiches, salads, and pasta.

Have you tried the Blackened Chicken Tenders from Popeye’s? They are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The good news, is they are actually so easy to make at home, plus they are just as amazing! We’re using our *homemade blend of spices* (link blackened seasoning blend) to season the chicken, and then cooking it in a skillet to create a dark crust on the outside of the meat, while the inside stays moist. This is one of those dishes that will really wow your tastebuds! It’s just as delicious as the recipe from your favorite chicken restaurant, but healthier, more affordable, and totally customizable. You can easily make the spice level mild, or turn up the heat!

Ingredients needed

Only three ingredients are required to make this blackened chicken tenders recipe! It’s so easy to throw together too, making it great for a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Chicken tenders: You’ll need a pound and a half of boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins.
Oil: For coating the chicken, so the spice blend adheres to the chicken and for proper cooking. We like to use avocado oil but feel free to use whatever cooking oil you prefer.
Spices: You can use a premade seasoning from the store, but for maximum flavor use our homemade blackened seasoning. It’s a smoky, savory mix of smoked paprika, cayenne powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried basil. Get the recipe here.

How to make this recipe

Season the chicken: In a bowl or ziplock bag, combine the chicken, oil and blackened seasoning.
Cook the chicken: Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add the chicken to the pan. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes per side or until charred and cooked through.
Cool & serve: Cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy in sandwiches, on salads, or *rolls* (link to spicy chicken sliders), or with a side of veggies and your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & variations

Make ahead: To get a head start on dinner, the blackened seasoning mix can be made ahead of time.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: It’s important to leave some space between the pieces of chicken in the pan. If the chicken is touching, it may not be able to achieve a nice crust.
Don’t overcook the chicken: While the chicken is cooking, watch it closely. The tenders will only take about 3-4 minutes per side. You know it’s done when you poke it with a knife and the juices run clear, and no pink remains.
Let rest: The key to juicy chicken is letting it rest, before slicing, for a short time after it’s cooked. This helps all of the flavorful juices reabsorb and keeps the chicken tenders juicy.

Frequently asked questions

What are blackened tenders?

Blackened chicken tenders are coated in a slightly spicy cajun seasoning that typically has a bit of a smoky flavor. The chicken tenders are then cooked in a hot pan until the spices create a “black” crust. This gives the chicken a crispy exterior while keeping it nice and juicy in the center.

Are blackened tenders fried?

This recipe is tossed in seasonings and then seared over high heat in a pan, but it is not deep fried. You’ll only need about 3 tablespoons of oil, so this recipe is much healthier than if it were fried.

Serving suggestions

These blackened chicken tenders are fabulous on their own with ketchup, spicy mayo, honey mustard or another dipping sauce. They are also delicious and served over rice and salads, too! We like to chop up leftovers and add them to salads, sandwiches, and wraps.

Some sides that pair nicely with them are air fryer broccoli, baked macaroni, and cheese, air fryer French fries, or crispy baked sweet potato wedges.

Dipping Sauces to try with Tenders

The Ultimate Burger Sauce

Yum Yum Sauce

Honey Mustard Sauce

5 Minute Skinny Chipotle Sauce

Storing & freezing recommendations

Storing leftovers: Place any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
To reheat: Place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet and broil them on high for a couple of minutes until heated through. You could also pop them in an air fryer for a couple of minutes. For the best texture, we don’t recommend reheating them in the microwave.
To freeze: Once the chicken has cooled completely, transfer the tenders to a flat baking sheet. Freeze them in a single layer on the sheet pan to ensure that they don’t stick together, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven until they’re warm.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try

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