Grilled Chicken Tenders

4.99 from 394 votes

Grilled Chicken Tenders are made with a simple lemony marinade and cooked on a grill or grill pan. They're juicy, flavorful and very easy to batch meal prep

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There’s something about grilled chicken tenders that just makes them so irresistible. They’re perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, and with a grill pan, you can enjoy the delicious smoky grilled flavor all year round! In this recipe, I marinate the chicken with lemon, olive oil, and thyme, which gives it a bright and tangy flavor. Serve them up with some of your favorite dipping sauces, and you’ll have a meal that everyone will love!

Final grilled chicken tenders served with lemon slices and garnished with parsley
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This is one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken for an easy weeknight meal, whether it’s on the grill outside or using a grill pan during colder months. The marinade is pretty flexible and flavorful. It’s an easy recipe to set up in the morning and have it ready for grilling at dinner time. And it pairs well with many vegetables and grains, with salads, or with pastas.

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chicken Strips Recipe

  • From grill to the plate in under 10 minutes. One of the great things about chicken strips is they cook in a flash, which makes them ideal for busy weeknights!
  • Versatile protein. Serve these grilled chicken strips as an entrée, or use them to top your favorite salads or pasta dishes.
  • The marinade gives it mouth-watering flavor. The marinade really makes these chicken strips stand out! You get a nice balance of acidity, sweetness, and herbs that will leave you craving more. The bonus to marinating your chicken is that it helps tenderize the chicken, so they turn out juicy and delicious. You can also try some of my other chicken marinade recipes if you’d like!
  • Perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch of these grilled chicken strips, and you can easily enjoy them throughout the week. You can eat them cold or reheat them in the microwave for a minute, and they’ll taste just as good as when they were first cooked.

Ingredients to make Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders

  • Chicken tenderloin: The marinade for this recipe covers a pound of chicken strips, you can easily double or triple the recipe to have enough for the whole family.
  • 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. You can also use other herbs such as oregano, basil, or rosemary.
  • Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor.
  • Paprika: This adds a smoky flavor to the chicken.
  • Salt and pepper: To season the chicken strips.

How to make grilled chicken tenders

Marinate the chicken first. Add all the marinade ingredients to a large bowl with the chicken, and make sure to toss to coat generously with the spices. Then place the chicken in the fridge until ready to use – I would say 30 minutes is good enough, but up to 8 hours is great!

Chicken tenderloins marinating in the lemon, olive oil and herbs

When you are ready to grill the chicken, preheat your grill.  An outdoor grill is not necessary. You can use a grill pan to get that charred flavor and those grill lines.

Cook the chicken for 3 – 4 minutes on each side. But when they’re done cooking, definitely give them time to rest before serving.

Cooking the chicken on an indoor grill pan

Tips for grilling chicken tenders

  1. Allow time to marinate the chicken. You want to marinade for at least 30 minutes, but up to 8 hours even. That will help tenderize the chicken, make it juicier and absorb the maximum flavor.
  2. Remove the tendon. While it’s not necessary, you’ll enjoy your chicken much more with this simple step. Begin by locating the tendon, then grip it with a paper towel. After that, run a fork around the tendon and pull it away to release the meat.
  3. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the grill. You want the chicken tenders to grill evenly and brown well. Otherwise, the juices from the nearby chicken tenders may create steam which will affect the searing process.
  4. Don’t move the chicken strips while it’s cooking. If you do, you won’t achieve those beautiful sear marks and the food will stick to the grill if you try and move it too early. When ready to turn the tenders, they should be easy to move. If they stick, leave them a little longer.
  5. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting. This allows the chicken a chance to absorb the juices to become juicier.

What To Serve With Your Grilled ChickEn Strips

Frequently asked questions

What does the chicken marinade taste like?

This simple marinade is a mixture of fresh lemon juice and dried herbs and spices. It has a bright and fresh zing to it without being so overpowering. This combination of spices, including thyme, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, is my favorite for chicken. It’s a simple marinade, but it really packs a punch!

Should I keep the grill lid open or closed when grilling chicken?

Since these tenders are small and only need to be grilled for 3-4 minutes per side, there’s no need to close the lid. You’ll want to close the lid for thicker cuts of chicken which need more cooking time and need heat to penetrate through the thick cuts.

How do I know when my chicken tenderlion is done cooking?

How long you cook your chicken tenders will vary by a few minutes depending on the size and thickness of your strips. The best way to tell if they are cooked through is by using a meat thermometer and making sure it reads 165 ºF in the thickest part of the tender.

Juicy chicken after it's been grilled

For more healthy chicken recipes:

These grilled chicken tenders are so delicious and so quick to cook, so they’re perfect for an easy weeknight meal. They are also great cold, sliced up on a fresh salad. Yum!

If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feel good Grilled Chicken Tenders recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!

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Grilled Chicken Tenders

Grilled Chicken Tenders are made with a simple lemony marinade and cooked on a grill or grill pan. They're juicy, flavorful and very easy to batch meal prep
5 from 394 votes
Servings 4 servings
Course Dinner, Entree
Calories 228
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes

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Ingredients
  

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Instructions

  • Pat the chicken tenders dry to remove any excess liquid and remove the tendons with a fork. Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and stir to combine evenly. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
  • When ready to grill, preheat the grill or grill pan to medium heat. Place the chicken tenders on the grill, being careful not to overlap them. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear.
  • Remove the chicken tenders from the grill and allow the chicken to rest for a couple minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 423mg, Potassium: 430mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 288IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American
Course: Dinner, Entree

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Anna says:

    Hi -these sound great! Would they be tasty in a traditional ceasar salad?

    1. Yumna says:

      Yes, they would be great in that type of salad!

  2. AJ says:

    If done on a gas grill what temperature does the grill need to be at?

    1. Yumna says:

      Medium heat.

  3. Niki says:

    These were really great. I had never removed the tendon before thanks for showing how to easily do that.
    I marinated them about 3 hours then used a grill pan to dry about 3 minutes per side. We all loved them. My brother said he’d pay me to make them again.
    We had them with a fresh salad. Yum 😋

    1. Yumna says:

      Yum, so happy they turned out well!

  4. SUSAN says:

    This recipe is a definite keeper! Have used it several times and always too good & easy – I can’t find another easy grilled chicken recipe that comes close. Also great cold in a salad or sandwich. Thank you for the recipe:)

    1. Yumna J. says:

      So happy to hear that this has become a favorite, thank you for letting me know!

  5. Taline says:

    The chicken tenders came out just perfect, this is the best chicken recipe ever, my husband and my son just loved it. thank you for your great recipe.

    1. Yumna J. says:

      You’re so welcome. Thank you for making it!

  6. Candy says:

    The chicken tenders were very tender and had a good taste, however the thyme was a little overbearing! I marinated four hours. Will definitely cut back to just one teaspoon of the thyme next time I make rhese

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Thank you for the feedback!

  7. Ella says:

    Can’t wait to.try it. My chicken tenders always get so dry. Thanks.

    1. Yumna J. says:

      I hope you enjoy!

  8. Carol says:

    Easy way to prepare chicken tenders. I used some granulated garlic, too. They turned salad into a whole meal!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Love that idea!

  9. Linda says:

    This was the first time cooking chicken tenders. I bought 2lbs of chicken breast tenders and they were small! I had to cut the spices in half. Needless to say they came out great! Flavorful, juicy and tender. I will definitely make them again… but with bigger tenders! 😂

    1. Yumna J. says:

      So glad you enjoyed them, Linda!

  10. Leslie Schram says:

    Could I put these in the air fryer? How long?

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Hi Leslie, I have not tried this recipe in the air fryer, but I don’t see why you couldn’t make them in there. I would use a preheated air fryer around 375ºF and then cook for 8-10 minutes, 4-5 minutes per side. You will want to flip halfway through. Jut make sure they reach 165ºF to ensure they are done. Hope you enjoy!

  11. Beth says:

    This was excellent and very easy! I did use smoked paprika and we had leftover bravas sauce (from making patatas bravas previously) that we served on the side along with other grilled veggies – it was amazing.

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Oh yum!! So glad you liked it, Beth!

  12. Susan Abed says:

    I am SO glad I found your site! I made this for my book club tonight and everyone raved about how delicious and tender it was. I marinated for the full 8 hours and followed the recipe exactly. My husband is Lebanese and he also gave a thumbs up. Thanks so much!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      You’re so welcome! I am so glad you landed on my site!

  13. Kim Rostucher says:

    I came across this recipe online randomly searching for a recipe for grilled chicken tenders. When I saw it was your recipe I knew it would be great as I follow you on Instagram. I made it exactly as instructed, using my grill pan, and it was awesome, so tender, juicy and flavorful and easy too!!! I think I will be making these chicken tenders every week. Thank you!!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      You’re so welcome, Kim! Thank you for the kind words!

  14. Kathy Duryea says:

    These grilled chicken tenders are absolutely delicious. I made them tonight on my Holland grill and cut up 2 for my salad. I also used your recipe for air fryer sweet potatoes. They were very good.

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      Thank you so much! That all sounds SO good together.

  15. Federico says:

    My wife and I brought lbs of chicken tenders and I got a new Weber grill for Father’s day. She found your recipe online and we decided to try it. The instructions were simple enough for me and we had all the ingredients. It was the best chicken tenders we’ve ever made. Served with a healthy fresh salad. Thank you!

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      So glad you found the instructions easy to follow and enjoyed the recipe that much! You’re so welcome!

  16. Roya says:

    Dried garlic gives me a lot more heartburn than fresh. If I use fresh garlic, will it burn on the grill? If not, how much would you suggest I use?

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      Fresh garlic should be fine! I’d use 2 garlic cloves and mince it finely.

  17. Mark Daniels says:

    Made this last night, using boneless thighs. The marinade was so good that I’m making grilled fish tonight using the same marinade! Can’t wait to try it on scallops.

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      I love that idea! Hope you continue to enjoy!

      1. Mark Daniels says:

        This is by far my favorite chicken recipe go to. In fact they’re marinating as we speak for tonight. I use boneless thighs and add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the marinade.

        1. Yumna Jawad says:

          That’s amazing! Hope you continue to enjoy. I need to try this with the balsamic vinegar!

  18. ryan says:

    The is the best chicken tenders I ever tried. Thank you!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Aww, you’re so welcome!

  19. Victoria says:

    Hi, This looks great and I’m going to try it. Did you pound the tenderloins a little before you marinated them?

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Thank you so much! No, I did not pound the tenderloins.

  20. Nina Cintron says:

    Surprisingly delicious!!!! I will make this again!

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      Yay! So glad to hear it!

  21. Zoe Alexander says:

    Highly Recommend!!

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      So glad to hear it!

  22. Marguerite Scott says:

    I am so frustrated…. none of the grill recipes tell me if I close the grill lid or leave it open?

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      You don’t need the grill lid closed for this since the pieces are small. In general, you want to close the lid on larger cuts to keep the temperature even and allow them cook thoroughly. Hope that helps!

  23. Amy says:

    Don’t move around while cooking. Good tip in order to achieve the sear marks. Early marinating with your
    3 suggested ingredients: lemon, olive oil and thyme did help both the cooking process and the flavor.