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One Pot Lemon Chicken Tenders Recipe with Rice Pilaf

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This chicken tenders recipe cooked in one pot with rice pilaf is one of the easiest, most delicious 30-minute weeknight dinners. They’re juicy, tender, seasoned with Mediterranean and Italian spices, and cooked in a lemony, fragrant broth with rice and orzo pasta.

It doesn’t get better than this! And if you love chicken dinners, try my simple chicken and broccoli recipe or chicken perloo for a South Carolina classic.

A cast iron skillet brimming with cooked seasoned chicken tenders, sliced lemon, rice, and fresh basil leaves on top. The skillet rests on a wooden board, accompanied by a striped towel—a delightful chicken tenders recipe ready to savor.

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Recipe Overview

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Time: About 30 minutes (10 min prep, 20 min cooking)
  • Tools: Large skillet

What I Love About This Chicken Tenders Recipe

When it comes to weeknight dinners, fast is good. Simple is better. Delicious is non-negotiable. And when you can combine all three, it’s a really good night.

Chicken tenders cook quickly, and when they’re soft and tender, seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices, and brightened with lemon, my family comes running every time!

One Pot Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this 30 minute dinner:

  • Chicken tenders: See recipe notes for substituting chicken thighs if preferred
  • Sauteing: Olive oil and butter
  • Spices: Paprika (smoked or sweet), Italian seasonings, salt and pepper
  • Garlic: Minced or pressed
  • Pilaf: Dry long-grain rice and dry orzo
  • Aromatics: Minced or pressed garlic and lemon
  • Fresh baby spinach
  • Chicken broth
  • Optional for serving: Fresh basil leaves

How to Make Chicken Tenders and Rice Pilaf

This chicken tenders recipe is cooked entirely in one skillet on the stovetop. The chicken is cooked first, for just a few minutes (remember, chicken tenders cook fast!). They are then transferred to a nearby plate for a few minutes before returning to the skillet to finish cooking with the rice and orzo pasta.

Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Brown the tenders

Add olive oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan/skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes on one side, flip, and cook for 1 minute more. Season with Italian seasoning and toss the chicken to coat. It will not be fully cooked yet. Transfer the tenders to a nearby plate.

A cast iron skillet filled with seasoned, golden-brown chicken tenders sits on a wooden cutting board against a white wooden surface, showcasing a simple yet delicious chicken tenders recipe. The chicken is cooked and evenly arranged in the pan.

Step 2: Brown the rice and orzo

Add 1 tablespoon butter into the skillet along with the orzo, rice, and garlic. Stir until the rice is toasted, then add the lemon slices and allow the butter to brown around the lemons.

A cast iron skillet holds a vibrant chicken tenders recipe, featuring rice and orzo with lemon slices and halves. A wooden spatula rests inside the skillet, which is placed on a wooden board on a white surface.

Step 3: Cook

Pour in 3 cups broth. Mix in the spinach and bring to a boil. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid has cooked into the rice and the chicken is cooked through.

A skillet brimming with cooked chicken tenders, lemon slices, and seasoned rice pilaf is garnished with fresh basil leaves. Resting on a wooden cutting board, it’s accompanied by a green and white striped cloth, while a basil plant peeks into the scene—perfect for any chicken tenders recipe.

More Chicken Dinners to Try

A skillet filled with seasoned chicken tenders, rice, orzo, lemon slices, and fresh basil leaves sits on a wooden cutting board, accompanied by a striped cloth for a cozy touch.

Easy One Pot Chicken Tenders and Rice Pilaf

This easy one pot chicken tenders recipe with rice pilaf is a 30 minute delicious weeknight dinner. Juicy and seasoned with Mediterranean and Italian spices.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon butter divided
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or crushed
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup rice dry
  • 1/2 cup orzo dry
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 3-4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves optional for garnish

Instructions

  • Add olive oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan/skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes on one side, flip, and cook for 1 minute more. Season with Italian seasoning and toss the chicken to coat. It will not be fully cooked yet. Transfer the tenders to a nearby plate.
  • Add 1 tablespoon butter into the skillet along with the orzo, rice, and garlic. Stir until the rice is toasted then add the lemon slices and allow the butter to brown around the lemons.
  • Pour in 3 cups broth. Mix in the spinach and bring to a boil. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid has cooked into the rice and the chicken is cooked through.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 358mg | Potassium: 561mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1521IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: chicken tenders recipe, one pot chicken and rice
A skillet filled with chicken tenders and rice pilaf garnished with fresh basil and lemon slices. Beneath the image, text reads \"One Skillet Chicken Tenders Recipe & Rice Pilaf\" from 31Daily.com.

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made it for dinner tonight. Not a fan of Italian herb. But did use fresh basil n spinach. Loved the braised lemons. Never did that! Orzo n rice! Never new they could cook ❤️ together! All in all. Will make this again. Girls get together with lots of wine. Lol… thank u. Real delish

    1. Hi Dee! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed this recipe! I absolutely love how simple it is and all the flavors too. I’m also a fan of fresh basil — that was a great choice! Hope you had fun with your girl’s get together, and thank you for trying the recipe.

5 from 1 vote

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