Easy grilled chicken tenders, simply marinated and grilled in the pan or on a grill. Perfect to serve as they are, sliced on a salad or in sandwiches. Show
Jump to Recipe Why grill chicken tenders?These juicy and flavorful chicken breast tenders are of my favorite things to cook in the grill pan or on a grill. Why? Well, first because I love chicken and then because they are so quick to cook. Either you marinade them for hours or just for 30 minutes before cooking, the grilled strips will still be moist and wonderful. And the best thing? They are so versatile. You can serve them as they are with some potato wedges, rice, or bread on the side. You can slice and serve them on salad for a super-healthy low-carb dinner. You can let them cool, make sandwiches, take them on a picnic or work the next day. Really, the possibilities are endless. A great meal for any day of the week, but also perfect for long summer days when you decide to use the grill outside. What are chicken tenderloins?Chicken tenders, strips or tenderloins are all the same thing, little strips of meat (muscle) attached to the underside of the chicken breast. They are about 3-4 cm/ 1 ½ inches wide and about 12 cm/ 5 inches long. They are often removed from breasts and sold separately. Actually, when you buy the breasts, they will probably not have the tenderloins attached most of the time. However, if you buy bone-in breasts, you will find the tenderloins on the underside. Are they anything different from the actual breast?No, not really. As they are a muscle which the birds don’t use very often, these strips are even tenderer than the breast itself. This and the fact that they are much smaller, means that they need a shorter cooking time, but otherwise, the taste and texture is the same. At least, I have never noticed any difference myself and I do cook a lot of breasts and tenders. You might want to have a look at our favorite and super-fast recipe for Cast-Iron Chicken Breast. Can I use breasts instead of tenders for this recipe?Yes, you can. Cut the breasts into strips about as long and thick as the tenderloins are. Marinate and cook as instructed. Marinade for chicken tenderloinsWe all love the marinade I am writing about today. However, rest assured that you can marinate the chicken strips before grilling any other way you like. You can make any other “wet” marinade, or you can use your favorite dry rub, the tenderloins will taste great. What we also love: 1-2 tablespoons gochujang (super spicy) OR hoisin sauce (sweet and tangy), it really doesn’t get any faster than that. For making today’s recipe, I’ve combined lemon juice, honey, sweet and smoked paprika powder, fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Simple but delicious. To finish I sprinkled the cooked meat with fresh chopped parsley and sesame seeds. You might think that sesame is just for the pictures, but do use it, if you have it in the pantry, the flavor is wonderful. You can add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary or oregano, about 1 teaspoon. How long to marinate the meat?
How to grill the chicken breast tenders?
Grill pan:
Grill outside:
Other cooking optionsCast-iron skillet:
Oven:
Air fryer:
How to serve the grilled tenderloins?
How to store?The grilled chicken tenders keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Perfect to make ahead and use for salads and sandwiches. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months in good freezer bags or freezer containers. Let thaw slowly in the fridge and reheat well before serving. More chicken breast recipes:
Easy Grilled Chicken TendersEasy grilled chicken tenders, simply marinated and grilled in the pan or grill. Perfect to serve as they are, sliced on a salad or in sandwiches. 4.80 from 5 votes Print Pin Share GrowSaved! RateCourse: Chicken Breast Cuisine: American Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 8 minutes Additional Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes Servings: 4 Calories: 304kcal Author: Adina Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark Ingredients
InstructionsMarinate chicken:
Grill pan:
Outdoor grill:
|