Julie Clark
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Grilled Chicken Tenders
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These Grilled Chicken Tenders are juicy, perfectly charred, and packed with flavor thanks to a simple, zesty marinade. They cook in under 10 minutes, making them a great solution for busy weeknights.
The simple chicken marinade makes these grilled chicken tenders incredibly versatile for weekly meal prep. Make a big batch to use in a chicken salad, chicken wrap, sliced up for chicken tacos or protein bowls throughout the week.
Better Than Takeout: These Grilled Chicken Tenders a Weeknight Power Move
It’s been a busy start to the year for our family. Usually we have a lazy January, with time to stay cozy under blankets. But this year we’ve hit the ground running with meetings and new jobs and new fun adventures, too.
That means fighting the temptation to get fast food and instead fix lean protein at home. This past weekend I whipped up these grilled chicken tenders and loved how quickly they cooked. This is a “cook in 10 minutes” recipe, although you will need time for the chicken to rest in the marinade sauce.
This is one of the best marinades for chicken tenders. I love that the honey slightly caramelizes on the chicken tenderloins, adding sweetness and making them a little crispy without needing breading.
Serve the grilled chicken tenders with a dip like bbq sauce, cheese sauce or buffalo sauce. And serve with our oven roasted potatoes, grilled veggies, sour cream cornbread or pasta dishes like mac and cheese or Italian pasta salad.
Love chicken recipes? Try our grilled orange chicken and fried chicken tenders. You may also like our pulled pork rub and bbq little smokies.
Enjoy! -Julie
Ingredients
- I made this marinade into a chicken tenders recipe, but chicken breast or chicken thighs work as well.
- The spices balance savory and smoky, while the fresh lemon juice adds bright citrus flavor.
See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts.
Grilled Chicken Tenders
These Grilled Chicken Tenders are juicy, perfectly charred, and packed with flavor thanks to a simple, zesty marinade. They cook in under 10 minutes, making them a great solution for busy weeknights.
Servings 4
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinade Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders trimmed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Lemon wedges optional for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken into a large zipper top bag.1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
- In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin. Mix well.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon cumin
- Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken and close tightly. Toss the chicken with the marinade making sure all the chicken is coated. Allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates/pan.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until grill marks form. You can brush on the marinade for extra flavor. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes before serving and cutting. Serve with some lemon wedges on the side.Lemon wedges
Notes
Chicken tenders cook very quickly and become overdone ever quicker, so watch carefully. Make sure you are checking the temperature to ensure proper internal temperatures are reached, 165°F.
If you like some heat, mix in some chipotle or cayenne powder to the marinade, adjust to whatever degree you prefer.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4, with 1 serving being ¼ of the chicken. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 781mg | Potassium: 673mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 304IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
How to Make Grilled Chicken Tenders: Step by Step
Combine the marinade ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin.
Pour the marinade into a bag with the chicken and close tightly. Toss the chicken with the marinade making sure all the chicken is coated. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but up to 4 hours.
Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates/pan. Add the chicken in a single layer and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until grill marks form. You can brush on the marinade for extra flavor. For juicy chicken tenders make sure the internal temperature does not go over 165°F.
