Chicken tenders should be marinated for at least 20 minutes and up to 8 hours before grilling. The chicken is grilled over medium-high heat for about 3–4 minutes per side after being removed from the marinade.
You can marinate chicken for 24 hours in a sealed container or heavy-duty freezer bag in the refrigerator. Avoid overmarinating your chicken if your marinade contains an acid, like lemon juice, as the acid can alter the texture of the meat if it’s left to soak for an extended period of time.
Quick & Easy Grilled Chicken Tenders on a Gas Grill
▢ 6Chicken tenders – or as many as needed
▢ 1tablespoonolive oil
▢ ½teaspoonkosher salt
▢ ¼teaspoonpepper
▢ ¼teaspoongranular garlic powder – optional
Cook Mode
Start with the number of tenders you need, olive oil, and seasoning of your choice.
Preheat the grill to a surface temperature of about 450°, which is medium-high on most gas grills and medium on a hot gas grill. Clean and oil the grill surface well.
Pat dry the chicken tenders. Trim the tendon off—it doesnt need to be perfect.
In a mixing bowl, mix chicken tenders with olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, and granular garlic powder (optional). Adjust spices and oil according to the number of tenders and your taste.
Place chicken tenders over direct heat on the grill grate.
Grill until the chicken turns from a pink color to white along the edge (about 5 minutes). You will see the white moving up the sides. Flip and grill another approximate 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature is 165°. Time will vary with the size and thickness of the tender and your exact grill temperature.
This recipe is easy to combine with grilling chicken or pork since the grill temperature is the same.
If you do this with beef, you will need to turn down the heat on part of the grill.
The recommended surface temperature is 450°. If you cook much hotter, they will dry.
Use the seasoning of your choice.
The final internal temperature of 165° is important for safety.
You may cut chicken strips out of chicken breasts. They may take a few minutes longer but you are cooking to the final internal temperature.
Kids love to dip so use a dip if you want. Just some Ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or mayo is fine.
What is the Internal Temp for Doneness?
Checking the internal temperature of your chicken is the most reliable way to determine when it is done. Before you remove it from the grill, it should have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to determine when the tenders have reached that temperature.
Grilled Chicken Tenderloins – The Best Grilled Chicken You Will Ever Eat – Southern Backyard Cooking
