How to Grill Chicken Tenders
These grilled chicken tenders are a go-to in our house on nights when the kids have homework and sports and I need dinner on the table fast. They’re tossed in a quick olive oil, garlic, lemon, and spice marinade, then grilled until juicy and tender.
Love easy chicken recipes? Try our grilled chicken drumsticks or chicken kabobs.
Featured Comment: “Awesome recipe and it was a life saver, and also simple.” ~ Denise
Jump to:
- The BEST Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders
- Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe
- How Do You Keep Chicken Tenders on Grill From Drying?
- How to Serve Grilled Chicken Strips
- How to Store Grilled Chicken Tenders
- Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe FAQs
- More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Tenderloins
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The BEST Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders
One of the most popular recipes on the site, these grilled chicken tenders are a lightened-up twist on the breaded chicken tenders you find at restaurants.
Made with pantry ingredients and minimal prep time, they’re ready to eat in just 30 minutes. Not to mention, they’re incredibly flavorful!
I love serving them alongside sides like my tomato and cucumber salad and cilantro rice. Then, I often make extras to keep on hand to add to quick lunches like my strawberry spinach salad with chicken and spring roll bowl with grilled chicken the rest of the week.
Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients for the chicken marinade:
- dried parsley
- red chili flakes
- salt and pepper
- fresh lemon juice
- fresh garlic
- honey
- olive oil
How to Make Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe
For full information on how to prepare this recipe, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Marinade
To make the marinade, simply combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
Toss the marinade with the chicken tenders and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
How to Grill Chicken Tenders
Preheat the grill on medium-high heat. Place the chicken tenders on the grill and grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear and an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
To Make Grilled Chicken Tenders on the Stovetop: To make chicken tenders on the stovetop, use a cast-iron grill pan and heat it over medium-high heat. Brush the pan with little avocado oil. Add tenders to the pan in a single layer, and cook as directed, 3-4 minutes on each side.
How Do You Keep Chicken Tenders on Grill From Drying?
Chicken tenders taste tender and moist when cooked properly. Here are two tips to keep them from drying out on the grill:
- Correct temperature. Cooking the chicken tenders on indirect medium-high heat, which is about 375 to 400 degrees F will ensure they don’t overcook. Make sure to clean and oil the grill grates before grilling.
- Invest in a meat thermometer. Chicken tenders vary in size, so the cooking time will vary. For larger-size tenders, it’ll take 3-4 minutes to cook on each side. To ensure they are not overcooked use a digital meat thermometer — it should register 165 degrees F.
How to Serve Grilled Chicken Strips
Here are some ways to serve grilled chicken tenders throughout the week:
- Dip them into your favorite sauce, such as honey mustard, homemade buttermilk ranch dressing, homemade BBQ sauce, or chimichurri sauce recipe.
- Top strawberry avocado salad or quinoa salad with avocado with grilled chicken tenders for a healthy boost of protein.
- Serve the tenders alongside heirloom tomato salad and a cauliflower rice pilaf for a complete meal.
How to Store Grilled Chicken Tenders
Refrigerate: To store leftover chicken tenders, place them in a closed container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. They make a great chicken pasta salad.
Freeze: To freeze cooked chicken tenders, place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe FAQs
I do not recommend marinating the chicken overnight since the marinade contains fresh lemon juice, which can change the texture of the meat if it’s left to soak for too long. This marinade should be used for no more than 3 hours.
Chicken tenders are thin muscles that are loosely attached underside of the chicken breast and taste exactly as the breast meat.
Yes, you can bake chicken tenders in the oven. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and arrange the tenders in a single layer. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
If you make this recipe, please leave a ⭐️ STAR rating and COMMENT letting us know how you liked the recipe.
Grilled Chicken Tenderloins
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Description
Grilled chicken tenders marinated in olive oil, garlic, spices, and lemon juice, then grilled until juicy tender.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 ½ tsp. dried parsley flakes or 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp. honey
- ¼ tsp. red chili flakes
- 1 ¾ tsp. kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
- 2 lbs. chicken tenders
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, honey, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken tenders and toss to evenly coat. Let the chicken marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
- Preheat an outdoor gas grill on medium-high heat (about 400–425°F). Clean and oil the grill grates.
- Place the chicken on the grill and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The chicken should release easily from the grates when ready to flip. Cook time will vary with the size and thickness of the tenders. Larger chicken tenders may need an additional 1-2 minutes per side.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate, loosely cover with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Dried Parsley: Dried oregano or Italian seasoning also works great instead of parsley.
- Stovetop Instructions: Use a heavy-bottom grill pan, such as cast-iron, and heat it over medium high heat. Brush the pan with avocado oil or other high-heat oil. Add tenders to the pan in a single layer, and cook as directed, 3-4 minutes per side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tenders
- Calories: 219
- Sugar: 2.1 g
- Sodium: 816.4 mg
- Fat: 8.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Protein: 29.5 g
- Cholesterol: 73.2 mg
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Hi! I'm Katya -- a former corporate paralegal turned full-time recipe developer and blogger behind Little Broken. Here you'll find family-friendly and seasonal recipes made from real ingredients.
If I use a hot honey in this recipe, should I leave out or completely or somehow adjust the amount of red chili flakes in the recipe? I have some Mike’s hot honey that I would like to try out and it mentions that it is honey infused with chili peppers.
Also, can chili powder be used in place of red chili flakes? I wasn’t sure how similar or different they are.
Thanks for this additional information as I would love to try your recipe!
I’m not sure how it’ll taste with hot honey as a substitute as I have little experience with it. The chili flakes add a slight heat but not too overpowering. Chili powder may work in place.
I am a vegetarian but my husband always has to have chicken and only buys tenders. I was thrilled to find this recipe. It’s so easy and he raved for the first time. No more 14 ingredients receipts for me. I would recommend this recipe many times over. Quick and easy for entertaining a crowd as well.
Awesome recipe and it was a life saver, and also simple.
Always looking for something new and this was a HIT. My family is very picky about our chicken, sometimes chicken tenders are dry. We decided that chicken tenders in our house will always be prepared using this recipe. The chicken was sooo tender, flavorful and juicy!
Thank you! I’m so happy you liked them.
Another great recipe by Katya! Everything our family has tried so far from her site has been a crowd pleaser. Thank you ????
Thank you Alya 🙂
So, so good!! It’s a must try.