poultry essentials: butter baked chicken tenders
I had planned to work on this recipe using chicken breasts, stuffed with spinach and feta… Unfortunately, the only thing I had in my walk-in were chicken tenders… With that said, I changed the recipe, and I am quite happy with how it came out. Chicken tenders lovingly baked in a butter/lemon sauce, sprinkled with breading, and laying on a bed of spinach and feta… So yummy. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.
prep time
15 Min
cook time
40 Min
method
Bake
yield
4 serving(s)
Ingredients
- PLAN/PURCHASE
- 1 cup saltine crackers, roughly crushed
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound chicken tenders, boneless, skinless
- 4 tablespoons sweet butter, unsalted, melted
- 1 large lemon, just the juice
- - salt, kosher variety, to taste
- - black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- SPINACH/FETA BED
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet butter, unsalted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces spinach, chopped
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
How To Make poultry essentials: butter baked chicken tenders
-
Step 1PREP/PREPARE
-
Step 2Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
-
Step 3Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 375f (190c).
-
Step 4In a small bowl, combine the saltine crackers, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and a bit of salt & pepper.
-
Step 5Chef’s Note: There are a lot of topping mixtures that you could try. I worked with plain, and seasoned breadcrumbs. They can be dry or fresh; even different types of bread. In the end, I used a cup of crushed saltine crackers. I liked the extra bit of crunch they gave the dish; as opposed to breadcrumbs.
-
Step 6Add the melted butter and lemon juice to an ovenproof dish, then add chicken tenders, and coat with the butter/lemon mixture.
-
Step 7Chef’s Note: sprinkle the chicken with a bit of salt and pepper, but go easy on the salt.
-
Step 8Chef's Note: Since the chicken is cold, it will begin solidifying the butter… No worries, it will melt back when you place the baking dish into the oven.
-
Step 9Cover with the cracker/parmesan mixture.
-
Step 10Place into the preheated oven, and cook until the topping begins to brown, and the chicken tenders are cooked through, about 35 – 40 minutes.
-
Step 11Chef’s Tip: Keep an eye on the tenders, and if the topping begins to brown too early, cover the baking dish with a piece of aluminum foil, and continue baking.
-
Step 12SPINACH/FETA BED
-
Step 13While the chicken is happily baking away, add the butter and grapeseed oil to a pan, over medium heat.
-
Step 14When the butter is melted, give the pan a swirl to combine the butter and oil, and then add the chopped onion. Cook until the onions begin to soften and turn translucent, about 6 – 8 minutes.
-
Step 15Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
-
Step 16Add the spinach to the pan, and combine with the onions and garlic.
-
Step 17Stir to warm through, about 2 – 3 minutes.
-
Step 18Take the spinach off heat, and the add the feta in chunks.
-
Step 19Chef’s Note: Fold the feta into the spinach, but do not overly mix. I like to see chunks of feta on the plate when serving.
-
Step 20PLATE/PRESENT
-
Step 21Remove the nicely browned chicken from the oven.
-
Step 22Add some spinach to a plate and place a few chicken tenders on top, and serve while still nice and warm. Enjoy.
-
Step 23Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Comment & Reviews
ADVERTISEMENT
Just A Pinch Sweepstakes