These grilled chicken tenders are my go-to for an easy, flavorful dinner or summertime appetizer. Seasoned with a sweet and savory blend then finished with a tasty char, this healthier alternative to fried chicken tenders is still totally delicious. These marinated chicken strips are tender, juicy, and quick to cook on the grill. And best of all, my kids love these too!
Juicy Grilled Chicken Strips
If you’ve ever wished Chick-fil-A made grilled chicken strips with a similarly lip-smacking marinade as the grilled nuggets, then you’re going to love these! I used honey and lemon juice as the base of the simple marinade, plus a quick list of standard herbs and spices that work wonders in the flavor department. These tenders can marinate for as little as 30 minutes before going on the grill, so there’s no planning required!
I love how light, healthy, and protein-forward these are, making them easy to work into my summer meal rotation. And they only take about half as long to cook as grilled chicken breast, so they’e extra quick. I’ve made these grilled chicken tenders for meal prep, game day snacking, and my kids’ lunches, and they are just perfect every time!
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Marinate for Maximum Flavor!
My favorite way to infuse these grilled chicken strips with tons of flavor (and moisture!) is to marinate them. I like a savory blend of oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. But I add just a touch of honey for sweetness, and it helps me get those nice char marks on my tenders too.
Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders (tendons removed*)
For the Marinade:
- 2 lemons (juiced)
- 1 tablespoon honey (**)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Whisk together the lemon juice, honey, olive oil, and seasonings in a bowl.2 lemons, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Add the chicken to the mixture and toss to coat.1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- Cover, and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken strips for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a little spice, add some cayenne pepper into the marinade.
- I don’t recommend marinating the chicken tenders for longer than 4 hours, or they might start to turn mushy.
- Make sure your grill is hot before placing the tenders on it. This prevents sticking and gives nice grill marks.
- Don’t overcrowd the tenders on the grill, or they will steam.
- Let your tenders rest for 5 minutes after grilling before digging in to lock in the juices.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
How to Cook Marinated Chicken Tenders on the Grill Step by Step
Prep: Gather the quick list of ingredients for these marinated chicken strips. If you’re making chicken tenders from boneless, skinless chicken breasts, slice the breasts into equally-thick strips. Then juice the lemons.
Make the Marinade: Whisk together the juice of 2 lemons, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of ground paprika, ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme in a bowl, dish, or resealable bag.
Marinate the Chicken: Add 1½ pounds of raw chicken tenders to the mixture and toss to coat. Cover and let the chicken strips marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more tender and juicy it will turn out. But any longer than 4 hours can turn the meat mushy.
Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375-450°F). Grill the chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through to 165°F. I like to let the chicken strips rest for 5 minutes before digging in to seal in the juices. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Try my homemade Chick fil a sauce!
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Store leftover grilled chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 10-15 minutes.
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