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Grilled chicken tenders covered in barbecue sauce on a white plate.

Juicy BBQ Chicken Tenders on the Grill (Make Ahead)

Becky
This simple recipe for juicy BBQ chicken tenders involves poaching the chicken to keep it tender, marinating it in BBQ sauce for flavor, and then grilling it to caramelized, smoky perfection.
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Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Course dinner, grilling, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

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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