These Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a lifesaver on busy weeknights, delivering a perfect sweet and savory flavor that our whole family adores. The simple brown sugar glaze comes together in minutes and makes the chicken unbelievably juicy and delicious.
My sister, Jennifer, has a way of adding sparkle to everything. I’ll never forget when she turned a simple chicken dinner into something magical with a last-minute brown sugar glaze. The whole kitchen smelled incredible! This recipe always reminds me of her joyful, creative spirit.
Why We Adore These Chicken Tenders
- Quick and Easy: This entire meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a hectic weeknight.
- Family-Friendly: The sweet and savory glaze is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients for the glaze already in your pantry.
- Versatile Serving: These tenders are fantastic on their own, over a salad, or with your favorite simple sides.
What You’ll Need From Your Pantry
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 lb chicken tenders
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Brown Sugar Glaze:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon water
Optional Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Let’s Make Them Together
First, We Season the Chicken
First, pat the chicken tenders completely dry with a paper towel; this is the secret to getting a nice sear. In a bowl, toss the tenders with the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, optional cayenne, and cornstarch until every piece is evenly coated. Don’t be afraid to get your hands in there to make sure they’re well-seasoned.
Next, We Sear Them to Golden Perfection
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the chicken tenders in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Sear for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set it aside for a moment.
Then, We Create That Beautiful Glaze
In the same skillet, add the butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and water. Let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly as it transforms into a beautiful, glossy glaze. The aroma at this stage is just heavenly!
Now, We Bring It All Together
Return the chicken tenders to the skillet with the glaze. Gently toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is completely coated and the sauce clings to each piece. Keep an eye on it to prevent the sugar from scorching, turn the heat down if you need to.
Finally, It’s Time to Serve
To make the dipping sauce, simply stir all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve the hot Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken tenders immediately, garnished with fresh herbs alongside the dipping sauce and a crisp salad.
A Quick Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities used. For precise nutritional values, I recommend using your preferred online calculator.
A Few Healthier Ideas
- Reduce the Sugar: You can use coconut sugar or maple syrup as a more natural alternative to brown sugar. Start with a slightly smaller amount and adjust to your taste.
- Bake Instead of Pan-Searing: For a lower-fat version, arrange the seasoned tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, then toss them in the warm glaze.
- Use Whole Wheat Flour: If you don’t have cornstarch, a light dusting of whole wheat flour can also work to create a nice crust on the chicken.
How We Like to Enjoy These Tenders
These Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are wonderfully versatile. Here are a few of our family’s favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Serve them alongside fluffy mashed potatoes and simple steamed green beans for a classic, comforting meal.
- Slice the tenders and place them on top of a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette for a quick and satisfying lunch.
- Pair them with a side of roasted sweet potato fries or wedges for a meal that kids and adults will love.
A Little Advice for Perfect Tenders
- Overcrowding the Pan: Cooking too many tenders at once will steam them instead of searing them. If needed, cook the chicken in two batches to ensure they all get beautifully browned.
- Burning the Glaze: Brown sugar can burn quickly. Once you add the glaze ingredients to the pan, stir continuously and lower the heat if it starts to bubble too aggressively.
- Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken tenders are small and cook fast. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (165°F/74°C) to ensure they stay juicy and tender.
Storing Leftovers for Later
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can gently warm them in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. The glaze may thicken in the fridge, but it will loosen up nicely once warmed.
From My Kitchen to Yours
There’s something so special about a recipe that is both simple and full of flavor. This Brown Sugar Chicken is just that, a dish that brings comfort and joy without any fuss. I hope that when you make it, your kitchen fills with the same wonderful aromas, and that it brings as many smiles to your table as it does to ours.
Answering a Few of Your Questions
Can I make this with chicken breasts?
Yes, you absolutely can. If you’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, simply slice them into one-inch-thick strips and follow the recipe as directed. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they are cooked through.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, simply substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, so no changes are needed there.
Can I prepare the glaze in advance?
You can prepare the glaze ingredients and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to cook, just pour it into the skillet after searing the chicken.
Print
Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are a lifesaver on busy weeknights, delivering a perfect sweet and savory flavor that our whole family adores. The simple brown sugar glaze comes together in minutes and makes the chicken unbelievably juicy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken tenders
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional dipping sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional dipping sauce)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional dipping sauce)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional dipping sauce)
- Pinch of salt and pepper (optional dipping sauce)
Instructions
- Pat chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Toss in a bowl with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken tenders 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard, garlic, red pepper flakes, and water. Simmer 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Return chicken to skillet and toss to coat in glaze. Cook 1-2 minutes until sauce clings to the chicken. Reduce heat if necessary.
- Mix optional dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Serve chicken hot with dipping sauce and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. For a healthier version, bake the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes instead of pan-searing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: brown sugar chicken, chicken tenders, skillet chicken, sweet and savory chicken