Juicy BBQ Chicken Tenders on the Grill are the ultimate summer backyard food, and these babies are about to be your new go-to. Sticky, smoky, and savory with that perfect char, these tenders will make you the grill master of the season. Whether you're having a chill hangout with a few friends or hosting a full-on BBQ bash, these tenders are a total crowd-pleaser. The best part? You can prep them ahead of time, so when the grill's hot and everyone’s starving, all you need to do is throw them on for a few minutes and let that saucy magic happen.
Getting chicken just right on the grill can be tricky—it's all too easy for it to end up dry and tough, but when done correctly, it’s a juicy, tender masterpiece that’ll have everyone coming back for more.
I'll let you in my little secret...these chicken tenders are poached indoors ahead of time, marinated in your favorite BBQ sauce, and spend only a few minutes grilling to impart the perfect flavor and texture without giving them the chance to dry out or burn. You get the ease of make-ahead with the irresistible smoky flavor and crispy, charred exterior of juicy BBQ chicken tenders.
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Why You'll Love Juicy BBQ Chicken Tenders on the Grill
- Quick to Cook, Big on Flavor. These tenders grill up in minutes, making them perfect for weeknight dinners, last-minute gatherings, or when you’re just really craving BBQ.
- They’re the Ultimate Make-Ahead Hero. Poach and marinate the chicken in advance, so all the flavor soaks in while you go about your day. When it’s time to grill, you’re already halfway to delicious.
- Perfectly Portion-Sized and Fun to Eat. Tenders are easy to grab, dunk, and enjoy—no knife and fork required. They’re great for kids, adults, and anyone who loves finger food done right.
- No Guess Work or Raw Chicken. The best part? Your chicken is already cooked before it even hits the grill, so you can focus on perfect char marks instead of playing the ‘is this still salmonella?’ guessing game.
Ingredients
For these juicy BBQ chicken tenders, all you need are chicken strips, chicken broth, and a rich, smoky BBQ sauce that coats each piece perfectly, locking in flavor and moisture as they grill to perfection.
- chicken tenders
- chicken broth
- BBQ sauce
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Juicy BBQ Chicken Tenders on the Grill
To make these BBQ grilled chicken tenders, start by poaching the chicken in broth to keep it tender and juicy, then marinate it in your favorite BBQ sauce to infuse it with flavor before grilling it to smoky, caramelized perfection.
- In a large pot, add the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Season with salt to taste.
- Add the chicken tenders, place the lid on the pot, and remove the pot from heat. Allow the chicken to cook gently for about 10-12 minutes or until it is fully cooked through, but still moist and tender. If desired check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165℉ (74℃). Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly.
- Place the poached chicken tenders in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour in the BBQ sauce, ensuring all the chicken is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and brush the grill grates with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Once the grill is hot, place the marinated chicken tenders on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken develops a nice char and grill marks and the BBQ sauce caramelizes slightly. Apply extra BBQ sauce with a basting brush while grilling if desired. Remove the chicken tenders from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Drizzle additional BBQ sauce on top if desired.
Hint: For maximum juiciness, make sure not to overcook the chicken either when poaching or on the grill. Poach the chicken just until it is cooked through, and grill only until chicken is heated through and has appropriate char.
Variations
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility! Virtually any marinade or sauce will work with chicken tenders with options like zesty lemon pepper, spicy buffalo, savory garlic Parmesan, or sweet and tangy teriyaki.
Equipment
To make these juicy BBQ chicken tenders, you'll need a few essential pieces of equipment: a large pot for poaching the chicken, a grill (gas or charcoal), and tongs for safely flipping the tenders. A bowl or zip-top bag is necessary for marinating the chicken, while a basting brush can help you apply extra BBQ sauce during grilling. A meat thermometer is optional but recommended to ensure the chicken reaches the ideal internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), keeping it juicy and safe to eat.
Storage
To store juicy BBQ chicken tenders, allow them to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the tenders by placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring they’re well sealed to prevent freezer burn. For best results, reheat the chicken in the oven or on the grill to maintain its juiciness and flavor.
Can I Poach Chicken in Water Instead of Broth?
You can absolutely use water instead of chicken broth to poach chicken tenders. While chicken broth adds extra flavor, water will work just fine if you prefer a more neutral taste or don’t have broth on hand.
Grilling Tip
Avoid pressing down on the chicken with your tongs while grilling as this releases juices and can result in a drier texture.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Tenders
These tenders pair perfectly with sides like coleslaw, watermelon, corn on the cob, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
How to Get the Juiciest Chicken Ever
The best part of this recipe is not having to worry about getting the chicken cooked through on the grill and possibly overcooking. I always used to stress about serving raw chicken and ended up with a dried out, extra chewy piece of chicken jerky. In this recipe the chicken is already completely cooked in the poaching phase, so you only need to grill a short time on each side to heat through, caramelize the sauce, and get some nice grill marks. Score!
FAQ
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but keep in mind that they require a longer cooking time. To ensure they stay juicy, consider slicing them into smaller pieces to mimic tenders.
Absolutely! Marinating the chicken overnight will result in even better flavor.
Cooked chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2-3 months.
Yes, a stove-top grill pan works well for grilling chicken tenders indoors. Just make sure to preheat it properly for that perfect sear and char.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with juicy BBQ chicken tenders on the grill:
Juicy BBQ Chicken Tenders on the Grill (Make Ahead)
Equipment
- large pot for poaching the chicken
- grill or grill pan
- Tongs for handling the chicken on the grill
- ziplock bag or large bowl for marinating the chicken and BBQ sauce
- basting brush optional, for applying extra BBQ sauce on the chicken while grilling
- meat thermometer optional, to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74℃)
Ingredients
- 1-½ pounds chicken tenders (about 12 tenders)
- 3 cups chicken broth for poaching
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- salt to taste
- olive oil for grilling
Instructions
- In a large pot, add the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Season with salt to taste.
- Add the chicken tenders, place the lid on the pot, and remove the pot from heat. Allow the chicken to cook gently for about 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through, but still moist and tender. If desired check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165℉ (74℃). Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly.
- Place the poached chicken tenders in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour in the BBQ sauce, ensuring all the chicken is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Once the grill is hot, place the marinated chicken tenders on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken develops a nice char and grill marks and the BBQ sauce caramelizes slightly. Apply extra BBQ sauce with a basting brush while grilling if desired.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Drizzle additional BBQ sauce on top if desired.
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