Amazing 15-Minute chicken tenders broccoli

When you need dinner on the table in under 20 minutes, chicken tenders broccoli is my absolute go-to solution! I’m Anna, and I’m obsessed with finding ways to make weeknight cooking feel joyful instead of like a chore. Seriously, between school pickups and just trying to keep up with life, who has time for complicated recipes?

That’s why I developed this sheet-pan magic. We’re using the broiler to get amazing flavor and char quickly. This recipe is proof that dinner can be incredibly flavorful, uses minimal dishes, and features our fantastic chicken tenders broccoli combination, all ready before you even finish unloading the dishwasher. Trust me, you are going to love how easy this is!

Essential Components for Perfect Chicken Tenders Broccoli

Okay, let’s talk ingredients. Because this is such a fast recipe—we’re talking 15 minutes total—the quality of what you toss onto that sheet pan really shines through. Since this recipe is built to serve four hungry people, I’ve scaled everything perfectly. Don’t try to eyeball these amounts, or you might end up with soggy broccoli or dry chicken!

The real secret weapon here is the everything bagel seasoning. It brings salt, crunch, garlic, and onion flavor all in one little jar. It makes everything taste like you spent way more time prepping than you actually did. Remember, we need to use it twice—once for the veggies and once for the protein!

Selecting and Preparing Your Chicken Tenders Broccoli Ingredients

For the main event, grab one pound of chicken tenders. Make sure they aren’t massive; if they are huge, just slice them in half so they cook at the same rate as your broccoli. You’ll need exactly one pound of broccoli florets. I like mine cut into bite-sized pieces, nothing too big.

We’re using three tablespoons of olive oil total, divided, to coat everything nicely. For seasoning, you’ll need four teaspoons of everything bagel seasoning total, split evenly between the chicken and the broccoli, plus just half a teaspoon of black pepper, again, divided.

The Creamy Yogurt Dipping Sauce Ingredients

This sauce is what takes the dish from good to *great*. It’s tangy, a little sweet, and so refreshing next to the savory, crunchy main course. It’s super simple, so don’t skip it!

• You need one-third cup of plain Greek yogurt. Make sure it’s plain, not vanilla, or things get weird fast!
• One teaspoon of Dijon mustard adds a nice little bite.
• And just one teaspoon of honey to balance out that tanginess. Whisk these three things together, and you are golden.

Equipment Needed for Your Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders Broccoli

Since we are broiling, we need tools that handle high heat and make cleanup a total breeze. Seriously, this whole setup is designed to minimize scrubbing later! Don’t worry; you probably have all this stuff already.

• A large rimmed baking sheet. The rim is important so things don’t slide off when you pull it out.
• Aluminum foil to line that sheet—this is my non-negotiable step for easy cleanup!
• One large mixing bowl for tossing everything together.
• A small bowl just for mixing up that dreamy dipping sauce.
• A whisk or a fork for the sauce.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Tenders Broccoli

This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s so fast you’ll hardly believe you made this from scratch. Broiling is our secret weapon here because it mimics grilling flavors in minutes. Just make sure you don’t walk away from the oven; broilers work fast!

Preparing the Oven and Baking Sheet

First things first: heat! We need that broiler cranked up high. Pop your oven rack into the upper third position—we want that intense top heat hitting the food. While that’s heating up, grab your large rimmed baking sheet and line it completely with foil. I swear, foil is the greatest invention for busy cooks. It catches all the little charred bits and seasoning fallout, meaning cleanup is basically nonexistent.

Seasoning the Broccoli for Your Chicken Tenders Broccoli

Grab that big mixing bowl we talked about. Pour in two tablespoons of your olive oil. Next, add two teaspoons of the everything bagel seasoning and just a quarter teaspoon of that black pepper. Dump in all your broccoli florets and toss everything together until every little piece is coated in that fragrant mix. Don’t leave any dry spots! Once coated, spread the broccoli out on one half of your foil-lined sheet pan. Give it space; overcrowding leads to steaming, and we want crispness!

Coating the Chicken Tenders

Now, don’t wash that bowl! We are using the same bowl for the chicken to save a dish, which is my favorite kind of efficiency. In the bowl you just used for the broccoli, add the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil, the other two teaspoons of everything bagel seasoning, and the last quarter teaspoon of pepper. Add your one pound of chicken tenders and stir them around quickly until they are fully coated in that delicious seasoning mix.

Arrange the seasoned chicken tenders neatly on the *other* half of the baking sheet, making sure they aren’t overlapping the broccoli too much. We want even cooking!

The Broiling Process for Chicken Tenders Broccoli

Carefully slide that baking sheet under the broiler. This cooking stage is quick—only 8 minutes to start. The most important thing here is to turn the pan halfway through. Open the oven door, use tongs or an oven mitt to turn the pan 180 degrees, and slide it back in. This ensures that both the chicken and the broccoli get evenly browned and charred on both sides.

After those 8 minutes total, you *must* check the chicken. Use a meat thermometer; it needs to hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit (or 74 degrees Celsius) internally before you pull it out. The broccoli should look tender with some lovely dark spots developing.

Whisking the Quick Yogurt Dip

While the chicken is doing its thing under the heat, take a moment to whip up the dip. In that small bowl, combine your one-third cup of plain Greek yogurt with one teaspoon of Dijon mustard and one teaspoon of honey. Give it a good whisk until it’s perfectly smooth and creamy. Taste it—if you like it a little sharper, maybe add a tiny dash more mustard. It’s ready to go the second the chicken comes out of the oven!

Tips for Success with Your Chicken Tenders Broccoli

I know broiling can feel a little intimidating because it moves so fast, but once you understand how your oven works, this sheet-pan dinner is foolproof. These little tricks are what I use every single time to make sure my chicken tenders broccoli comes out perfectly cooked and deeply flavorful without any burning drama.

Achieving Perfect Char Without Overcooking

The upper third rack is critical because it puts the food closer to the heating element, which is what gives us that beautiful, crispy char on the broccoli edges in just a few minutes. However, this also means you absolutely cannot walk away! Stay right by the oven when you start the 8-minute timer. If you notice one side browning way too fast before the 4-minute mark, turn that pan immediately. Watchfulness is your best defense against scorched garlic bits!

Flavor Adjustments for Your Chicken Tenders Broccoli

Everything bagel seasoning is already robust, but feel free to customize! If you love garlic powder, add an extra half teaspoon to the chicken coating—it toasts up wonderfully. If you want a little heat, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper mixed into the yogurt dip wakes everything up nicely; just start small so you don’t overpower the savory flavors of the chicken and broccoli.

Also, don’t forget the salt, even though the everything bagel seasoning has some. If your tenders look a little pale after broiling, a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt right when they come out of the oven makes the texture pop. It’s all about those little finishing touches! If you want more quick dinner ideas, check out my joyful spring chicken dinner inspiration.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Tenders Broccoli

Because this chicken tenders broccoli dish is already packed with protein and a nice helping of veggies, you don’t need much else to make it a complete meal. The goal here is speed and balance, so we want simple sides that don’t require another pot on the stove!

If you are feeding big eaters or need a little more substance, a small side of quick-cooking rice works beautifully. I often use microwaveable brown rice pouches for speed. If you want something lighter and fresher, you can’t beat it with a simple, crisp salad tossed with a light lemon vinaigrette. The acidity cuts right through the richness of the yogurt dip.

For an extra boost of green, try lightly steaming some snow peas while your chicken is broiling. Toss those steamed peas with just a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It’s bright, it’s fast, and it pairs perfectly with that crunchy everything bagel seasoning! You can find more quick, flavor-packed chicken recipes on my Pinterest page.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken Tenders Broccoli

We rarely have leftovers because this meal disappears so fast, but when we do, I want to make sure we don’t ruin the texture when we reheat it. Broiled food can get tough easily if you just throw it in the microwave without thinking!

The main thing to remember is that the broccoli will soften considerably upon cooling, and the reheat needs to be gentle to keep the chicken tenders from drying out. Always let the food cool down completely before you even think about sealing it up.

Storage Guidelines

You must store the chicken and broccoli in an airtight container. I like using glass containers because they don’t hold onto smells, but any tight-sealing container works fine. Keep the leftover dipping sauce separate! It lasts about 3 days in the fridge on its own, but mixing it with the cooked food makes everything soggy.

Here’s a quick look at how long things last:

Component	Storage Time (Refrigerated)	Notes
Chicken & Broccoli Mix	Up to 3 Days	Keep well-sealed.
Yogurt Dip	Up to 3 Days	Store separately to prevent weeping.

Reheating for Best Texture

Forget the microwave for the main dish if you can—it steams everything. The best way to revive the texture is a quick trip back under the broiler, or if you’re feeling lazy, using an air fryer works wonders! Spread the chicken and broccoli in a single layer on a foil-lined sheet pan, give it just 2 or 3 minutes on high broil (watch it closely!), or about 4 minutes in the air fryer at 350°F. This brings back a little crispness. If you are looking for other quick sheet pan meals, check out my guide on balsamic chicken sheet pan recipes.

If you absolutely must use the microwave, do it in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between. When you serve it, add a tiny splash of water or oil to the mixture before microwaving, and then serve it immediately with a fresh dollop of that cool yogurt dip to contrast the heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Tenders Broccoli

I get so many questions about this recipe, which makes sense because it’s so fast! People want to know if they can change things up without ruining that perfect 15-minute turnaround. Here are the most common things I hear from fellow busy cooks trying to master this sheet pan dinner.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of tenders?

Yes, you absolutely can! But you have to adjust your prep time. If you use full chicken breasts, you need to slice them horizontally into cutlets that are about half an inch thick. This ensures they cook in the same amount of time as the broccoli. If you leave them whole, they won’t be done when the broccoli starts to burn under the broiler, so slicing them thin is key for substitutions!

What if I do not have a broiler?

No broiler? No problem! We can still get a great result, though it will take a few extra minutes. Move your oven rack to the middle position and crank the temperature up to 425°F (about 220°C). Toss your seasoned chicken and broccoli onto the sheet pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. Bake for about 15 to 18 minutes total. You might need to flip the chicken halfway through. Just keep checking that internal temperature to make sure it hits 165°F!

How can I make the yogurt dip spicier?

That’s a great idea if you like a kick! The Dijon mustard gives it a little tang, but if you want real heat, skip the cayenne pepper and try adding about a quarter teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce right into the yogurt mixture. If you have sriracha, that works wonderfully too. Another really simple trick is to mix in just a tiny bit of prepared horseradish—it gives you heat and extra tanginess that complements the chicken perfectly. For another quick chicken option, see my easy baked lemon chicken.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Chicken Tenders Broccoli

I always tell people that this recipe is fantastic because it’s high in protein and surprisingly low in heavy fats, especially since we are using Greek yogurt instead of mayo in the dip. Since every ingredient is measured so carefully, the nutrition per serving is quite consistent. This is a great, balanced option for those busy weeknights when you don’t want to compromise on quality!

Here is a quick snapshot of what you’re looking at for one serving, based on the ingredients listed:

Nutrient	Amount (Per Serving)
Calories	370
Protein	40g
Total Fat	18g
Carbohydrates	10g

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