These grilled chicken tenders soak in a simple lemon, garlic, and herb marinade, then spend about 10 minutes total on the grill. They come off juicy with just enough smoky char, and the marinade is all pantry staples you probably already have.
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The Keys to Juicy Grilled Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are thin, which is what makes them so fast and also what makes them easy to ruin. Three things decide how these turn out.
- Pull them at 165°F. Tenders go from juicy to chalky in about a minute, so this is the one number worth watching.
- Get the grate fully preheated. A grill that isn’t hot yet steams the outside instead of searing it, and you lose the char.
- Don’t marinate longer than 4 hours. The lemon has done its job well before that, and past it the acid starts working on the texture.
Ingredients
- Chicken tenders: This chicken cooks up fast on the grill and stays super tender and juicy.
- Olive oil: The base of our chicken marinade that locks in all the flavor.
- Lemon: You’ll need lemon juice for the marinade and lemon wedges as a garnish!
- Garlic: For that bold, savory punch we all love.
- Fresh parsley: Brings a pop of color and a fresh, herby finish.
- Spice blend: Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and paprika are all you need to season your chicken tenders.
Preparation
In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
Next, add your chicken tenders to the bowl and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Grilling
Heat up your grill or grill pan to medium-high and give the grates a quick brush with olive oil.
Once it’s ready, place the chicken tenders on the preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
Cook until they’re charred and have those perfect grill marks everyone loves!
Serving
Remove your chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving, along with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Ways to Enjoy Your Grilled Chicken Tenders
Create a grilled chicken tender meal that fits any craving! Enjoy them on their own, dipped in homemade ranch dressing, hot sauce, or BBQ sauce. Or, throw them on a fresh salad, stuff them into a wrap, or mix them into pasta. Easy, tasty, and totally up to you.
You can also pair your tenders with a variety of sides. Roasted broccoli, sweet potato fries, or a side of coleslaw would be a great way to round out your meal. You could even enjoy them with a refreshing drink like this Watermelon Tajin Mocktail.
Storage & Reheating
Store your grilled chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either microwave them for about a minute or until warmed through, or you can heat them in a skillet on medium heat for a few minutes on each side.
Got leftovers? Toss the chicken tenders into salads, wraps, or sandwiches for a quick hit of protein and flavor. Just chop ’em up and you’re good to go!
Print
Grilled Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
These grilled chicken tenders are zesty, smoky, and super easy to make with a few pantry staples. Perfect for salads, wraps, or as is with your favorite sides!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Lemon wedges, to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Add chicken tenders to the bowl and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates or brush with olive oil.
- Place chicken tenders on the grill and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, or until nicely charred.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving, along with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Store your grilled chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either microwave them for about a minute or until warmed through, or you can heat them in a skillet on medium heat for a few minutes on each side.
- Got leftovers? Toss the chicken tenders into salads, wraps, or sandwiches for a quick hit of protein and flavor. Just chop ’em up and you’re good to go!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
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