Description
These Southwest Baked Chicken Tenderloins are a quick and easy recipe featuring a spicy, smoky flavor profile. Perfect for a wholesome dinner, they can be enjoyed on their own, added to salads, or wrapped in tortillas for a tasty meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 to 1 ¼ pounds chicken tenderloins (or chicken breast cut into 3 long vertical strips)
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon table salt (use ¼ teaspoon if sensitive to salt)
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (swap with chili powder for a milder taste)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Optional
- ½ lime (for squeezing over after baking)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the chicken tenderloins.
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, salt, chipotle powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder, creating a flavorful seasoning blend.
- Coat Chicken: Place the chicken tenderloins on a baking sheet and pour the olive oil and spice mixture over them. Toss gently until each piece is fully coated with the seasoning.
- Bake: Bake the chicken for 15-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Add Lime Juice: Once baked, squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken tenderloins for an added bright, tangy flavor.
Notes
- Cook time may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Always check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- For a milder flavor, substitute chipotle powder with additional chili powder.
