This is my secret recipe for perfectly cooked, juicy chicken tenders on the grill! Kids and adults alike will rejoice over this flavorful and tender grilled chicken.
When it heats up outside, I'm looking for an easy dinner recipe that won't warm up the kitchen and will satisfy the whole family. Bring on these easy grilled chicken tenders!
My secret recipe keeps the chicken juicy and tender on the inside, perfectly grilled and slathered with tasty barbecue sauce on the outside. This is the only way I cook chicken on the grill and it's fool proof!
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Ingredients
All you need for these grilled chicken tenders is chicken and your favorite barbecue sauce as well as non-stick spray to keep these babies from sticking to the grill.
- chicken tenders
- barbecue sauce
- non-stick spray or oil to brush on the grill
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Tenders
My secret to keeping chicken from drying out on the grill is to poach the chicken on the stove and then marinate it with the sauce until grilling time.
Start off with 1-½ pounds of raw chicken tenders, about 8-9 pieces.
In a medium pot with a lid, heat 10 cups of water until actively boiling.
Move the pan off the heat and drop in the chicken tenders. Cover the pot with lid or a plate and let sit for 15 minutes.
Remove the chicken and discard water. You can check for doneness by cutting into the widest part of the biggest chicken tender.
Place chicken tenders in a ziplock bag with 1 cup of barbecue sauce.
Clean your grill surface and spray with non-stick spray or oil. Preheat grill to medium-high.
Grill chicken tenders for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through.
Brush chicken with reserved ½ cup barbecue sauce or serve on the side.
Substitutions
This recipe is written for chicken tenders and the timing of the poaching step is dependent on the thickness of the chicken, so I wouldn't substitute another cut of chicken here. Feel free to use any barbecue sauce you like or use another marinade to change it up.
Variations
I love this recipe because it's incredibly versatile! I have made grilled chicken tenders with teriyaki, lemon-pepper, and cilantro-lime marinade and it has all been amazing. Often I'll do multiple marinades when entertaining to offer something everyone likes.
- Spicy BBQ - Add cayenne pepper to taste to your BBQ sauce.
- Lemon Pepper - Lawry's
- Teriyaki - My family's favorite teriyaki sauce is Yoshida's
Equipment
You'll need a medium-sized saucepan with lid or at least a plate big enough to cover the top while poaching the chicken.
A grill of any type is necessary for the grilling step. I have an indoor grill pan that also works great.
kitchen tongs are helpful for fishing the cooked chicken out of the poaching liquid and for turning the chicken on the grill.
Storage
Store the chicken and marinade for up to 3 days before cooking.
Top tip
This is the only way I cook chicken on the grill--it's foolproof! The chicken is fully cooked during the poaching step on the stove, so you don't have to worry about getting it cooked through on the grill. You only need to heat it through and get those beautiful grill marks and smoky taste!
FAQ
I poach my chicken tenders in water on the stove, then marinate with barbecue sauce or other marinade of choice. I finish them off by grilling for just a few minutes per side and end up with perfectly juicy, tender chicken!
Related
Looking for more delicious summer recipes? Try these:
The Best Grilled Chicken Tenders {Juicy & Delicious}
Equipment
- 1 cooking pot
- 1 grill or grill pan
Ingredients
- 1-½ pounds chicken tenders
- 1-½ cups barbecue sauce
- non-stick spray
Instructions
- Add 10 cups of water to stock pot. Turn burner to medium-high.
- When the water is actively boiling, drop in chicken tenders, move off the heat, and cover with a lid. Allow to cook 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken from pot and discard water. Place chicken and 1 cup of barbecue sauce in a ziplock bag. Marinate for 30 minutes up to 3 days.
- Clean and oil grill and preheat to medium-high. Cook chicken tenders for 2-3 minutes per side, until heated through.
- Brush cooked chicken with remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce or serve on the side.
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