Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Tenders with Sesame Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken tenders glazed in a sweet honey-soy sauce paired with quick sautéed spinach seasoned with toasted sesame seeds for a kid-friendly dinner. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken tenders, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 cloves minced garlic until combined.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb chicken tenders seasoned lightly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sear for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Pour the honey-soy mixture over the chicken in the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 4-5 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken until it thickens and coats the tenders.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 5 cups fresh spinach. Sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted and bright green.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the spinach and toss gently. Serve the glazed chicken tenders atop the sesame spinach immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Tenders with Sesame Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Tenders with Sesame Spinach?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken tenders from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Tenders with Sesame Spinach?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Tenders with Sesame Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Tenders with Sesame Spinach?

Asian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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