Weeknight Skillet Sazon Chicken Tenders – A Flavor Bomb in 15 Minutes!
When you’re short on time but still craving a meal packed with flavor, these Skillet Sazon Chicken Tenders are your new best friend.
In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a tender, golden-brown chicken dish drenched in a savory, aromatic sauce that’s bound to wow the whole family.
With just a few pantry ingredients and a little magic from homemade sazon, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for any busy weeknight!
For Skillet Sazon Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders – I use 1.25 lbs of chicken tenders for this dish, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips, if preferred.
- Dry Sazon Seasoning – This is where all the flavor comes from. You can use store-bought or make your own sazon mix.
- Kosher Salt – Just enough to season the chicken to taste.
- Olive Oil – For frying the chicken and creating a nice golden crust.
- Scallions – Adds a fresh, slightly oniony flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic – For that savory depth of flavor.
- Tomato – Adds richness and some natural sweetness to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth – To bring everything together into a saucy, flavorful base.
For Skillet Sazon Sauce
- Chicken Broth – Reduced sodium for a balanced flavor. You can substitute vegetable broth if preferred.
- Salt – For seasoning the sauce to taste.
Skillet Sazon Chicken Tenders – Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinner
This easy, flavorful, and kid-friendly chicken recipe is perfect for busy nights. Ready in just 15 minutes, it's a simple yet delicious meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs (8) chicken tenders
- 1½ tsp dry sazon seasoning (or use homemade sazon)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 tsp olive oil, divided
- ½ cup diced scallions
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- ⅓ cup reduced sodium chicken broth (check for Whole30 and gluten-free compliance)
Instructions
- Season the chicken tenders with dry sazon seasoning and a pinch of salt.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the tenders and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tsp of olive oil to the skillet and sauté the diced scallions over medium heat for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed garlic and cook for another minute. Add the diced tomato, season with salt, and cook for 3–4 minutes until the tomato softens and the mixture thickens.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 1–2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken.
- Serve the chicken with the tomato sauce and enjoy!
- Can I use store-bought sazon seasoning instead of homemade?
Sure! If you don’t have homemade sazon on hand, store-bought works just fine. Use about 1 tablespoon of sazon for the chicken, and you’re good to go! - Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?
Absolutely! Just slice the chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Same delicious result! - Do I need to use reduced-sodium chicken broth?
Not at all! If you have regular chicken broth, feel free to use it. Just be mindful of how much extra salt you add to the recipe. - Can I add veggies to this dish?
Yes! Feel free to throw in veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or even spinach. Add them when you’re sautéing the scallions and garlic to let them soften and blend into the sauce. - How can I make this dish spicier?
If you like a little heat, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix or sauté them with the garlic. Adjust the spice to your liking!
