Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (2024)

You are going to love these easy Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe. These tenders are coated with lemon juice, Italian seasoning and the perfect amount of minced garlic. Rather you are cooking these for your family or a crowd, they are sure to crowd pleaser.

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (1)

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We love cooking chicken tenders. They are the perfect size to eat baked, broiled or fried. But our favorite way to eat them is grilled.

Chicken Tenders are easy on the budget, easy to cook and my family loves them. Chicken is the perfect meat to try out different marinades with.

We have brushed BBQ sauce on them to Italian dressing they always turn out so delicious. Try our Blackstone Teriyaki Chicken Tenders Recipe or Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Tenders.

Table of Contents

  • Dipping Sauce Ideas:
  • Ingredients:
  • Varations:
  • How to Grill Chicken Tenders:
  • How long to Grill Chicken Tenders:
  • Grilled Chicken Tenders Marinade:
  • What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Tenders:
  • How to Store Leftovers:
  • Frequently Asked Questions:
  • More Grilled Chicken Recipes:
  • Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe

Dipping Sauce Ideas:

Anytime we make these grilled chicken tenders, my kids want a dipping sauce to go with them. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Ranch Dressing
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Hummus

Ingredients:

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (2)
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenders
  • Olive Oil
  • Lemon
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Minced Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Fresh Parsley

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom to see the recipe card.

Varations:

Chicken tenders can seasoned with many different spices or a flavor. These are some of our favorites.

  • Honey
  • Lime Juice
  • Taco Seasoning

How to Grill Chicken Tenders:

  • Step 1 – Preheat the grill – Preheat your outdoor grill over medium high heat to approximately 350 degrees F.
  • Step 2 – Prevent Chicken from Sticking – Spray the grill grates with a non-stick cooking spray or rub with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates.
Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (3)
  • Step 3 – Combine Ingredients – Place all the ingredients except for the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Stir to thoroughly combined the marinade ingredients.
  • Step 4 – Add Chicken – Then add in the chicken and make sure it’s coated with the marinade.
  • Step 5 – Marinade Chicken – Allow the chicken to marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
  • Step 6 – Grill Chicken – Gently place the chicken tenders on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flip the chicken and then grill for 3-4 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.Cook time could vary.
Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (4)
  • Step 7 – Let Chicken Rest – Move the chicken to a plate, let it set and let juices run together for at least 5 minutes. Then serve warm and enjoy!

How long to Grill Chicken Tenders:

The main reason I love to Grill Chicken Tenders is that it doesn’t take long to grill them. You can grill them faster then trying to decide what is for dinner.

When my husband grills, he usually just stay out by the grill and make sure they don’t burn. He cooks them for about 4 minutes on each side and then flips them and cooks them for another 4 minutes.

It is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is done. If the gage reads an internal temperature of 165 degrees, then your chicken is done.

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (5)

Grilled Chicken Tenders Marinade:

We love to marinade the chicken. We have experimented with many marinades and a lot of time I will sprinkle on some seasoning and use what I have.

Combining the marinade ingredients in this recipe is so good. The lemon juice combined with the Italian Seasoning really is my favorite combination. If you prefer you can even marinate the chicken overnight.

Toss all your ingredients in a Ziplock bag the night before and it is ready to be grilled when you get home.

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Tenders:

You can serve these grilled chicken tenders which just about anything. We usually cook them for dinner, but if the kids have friends over to swim we might have them for lunch. Here are some of our favorites sides:

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (6)

How to Store Leftovers:

These Grilled Chicken Tenders are the best leftover. When I know I am making these, I will double the amount of chicken tenders so I can have leftovers.

Just refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

I may make a side of rice, and cook some vegetables and put in individual containers for my husband and I. It turns into a great lunch idea and I know we are getting a well balanced lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use the Air Fryer?

If you do not want to grill your chicken tenders, then air fry your chicken tenders. We have been using our air fryer more and Air Fryer Chicken Tenders have been one of our favorite recipe to cook.

Can I Use Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast?

Yes, you can use Chicken Breast with this recipe. Depending of how thick you chicken breast are will depend on how long they cook.
We like to filet or cut the chicken breast into chicken strips for easy cooking, but that is completely optional.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes:

We love hearing from you. If you make this Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (7)

Review

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Grilled Chicken Tenders

5 from 33 votes

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe are a crowd pleaser. These tenders taste amazing and are marinated with lemon juice and Italian seasoning.

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 2

Cuisine American

Course Main Course

Calories 408

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your grill over medium high heat to approximately 350 degrees F. Spray the grill grates with a non-stick cooking spray or rub with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates.

  • Place all the ingredients except for the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Stir to thoroughly combined the marinade ingredients. Then add in the chicken and make sure it’s coated with the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinade for at least 20 minutes or up to 8 hours.

  • Gently place the chicken tenders on the grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes, flip the chicken and then grill for 4-6 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

  • Move the chicken to a plate, let it set for at least 5 minutes. Then serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 408kcal, Carbohydrates 8g, Protein 49g, Fat 20g, Saturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 12g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 145mg, Sodium 848mg, Potassium 964mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 284IU, Vitamin C 35mg, Calcium 66mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (16)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Grill on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. From the Best Blackstone recipes, to grilling, and easy smoker recipes, together we are going to cook real food, with easy ingredients… for real families!

About Carrie
Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep chicken tenders from drying out on the grill? ›

Olive Oil: This helps to keep the chicken tender and adds moisture. Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed juice or buy it pre-squeezed. The acidity of the lemon helps to break down the fibers in the chicken so that they are super juicy when grilled. Thyme: This adds a nice herby flavor to the chicken.

What is the secret to cooking tender chicken? ›

The best tenderizer though, is a salted yogurt marinade. The salt has the same effect as in a regular brine, but the lactic acid in the yogurt further tenderizes the meat. A 15-minute marinade with one cup of yogurt and one teaspoon of salt makes for the most tender chicken breasts imaginable.

Are grilled chicken tenders healthy? ›

Juicy, fast-cooking, and great for healthy meals. Chicken is lower in calories than other types of meat and a wonderful source of lean protein. If you don't have tenders, you can slice boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1 to 1 1/2-inch strips.

How do you make chicken tender and not rubbery? ›

Best cooking methods to prevent rubbery chicken
  1. steaming.
  2. boiling/simmering.
  3. slow cooking (with liquid)
  4. stewing.
  5. braising.
  6. sous vide (a combination of dry/moist cooking)
Aug 2, 2021

How to keep chicken juicy when grilling? ›

The key steps to really juicy grilled chicken are kitchen essentials — lessons that even the most seasoned griller should revisit each year. Pound the chicken thin for more even cooking, brine or marinade for flavor and color, and grill over direct heat for grill marks, but finish over low heat to keep them juicy.

How do you keep chicken tender and moist? ›

Use this guide to whip up succulent chicken every time, even when it's boneless and skinless.
  1. Marinate Your Chicken Breasts and Tenders. ...
  2. Try a Brine for Crispy Chicken Tenders. ...
  3. Be Mindful of the Chicken's Internal Temperature. ...
  4. Add Fat for Richness. ...
  5. Introduce Moisture with a Sauce.
Jan 20, 2021

What is the best ingredient to tenderize chicken? ›

We recommend marinating your chicken in buttermilk or yogurt overnight, but if it's urgent, then an hour will do. However, the texture of the chicken won't be as even as chicken marinated overnight. The process is simple: you only have to immerse the chicken in a container with enough yogurt or buttermilk and seal it.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

But since undercooking it is an even worse fate, many of us overcompensate and pay the price. There's an exception to this cooking rule: dark meat. Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook.

How many grilled chicken tenders is 4 oz? ›

A standard serving of chicken breast tenderloins is two chicken pieces or tenders with a weight between 3.5 to 4 ounces or up to 112 grams combined.

Is it OK to eat chicken tenders everyday? ›

While fried chicken tender can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, it's important to be aware of the potential drawbacks. Consuming excess fried chicken fingers or tenders may lead to higher cholesterol and sodium levels, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Is it OK to eat grilled chicken everyday? ›

Chicken is a healthy food (as long as it's poached, baked or grilled), but that doesn't mean you should eat it every single day. As both dietitians have explained, eating a wide variety of foods is the best way to give your body the nutrients it needs.

How to make chicken super tender? ›

How you prep the chicken is also as important as how you cook it. Cooking method is only half of the answer. Brining the meat in a salty/sugary/acidic solution will go a long way in adding flavor and making the meat moist and tender. Brining + slow cooking = tenderest meat.

How do you grill chicken without making it dry? ›

How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out? Brining is the secret to juicy grilled chicken breasts. It requires a bit of extra time, but the soak in the a brine helps to tenderize the meat, which makes it less tough once it's grilled. Also, a brine is a great way to add flavor if you want.

Why does my grilled chicken come out dry? ›

Incorrect temperature and cooking time are the main culprits behind why your chicken gets dry when you cook it. The key to cooking chicken without drying it out is finding the sweet spot between temperature and cooking time.

What is good to spray on chicken while grilling? ›

Oil – Olive or avocado oil is excellent to use to help crisp the skin. Spritzer – I use a combination of equal parts apple juice, apple cider, and water. Rub – You can use simple salt and pepper or a more complex spice blend like my BBQ Rub. Sauce – Any BBQ sauce will work for this recipe.

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