Grilled chicken tenders are one of the easiest things you can cook on a grill. They cook in about 10 minutes, stay juicy with simple seasoning, and are perfect for quick weeknight dinners or as a secondary main dish.
This beginner-friendly recipe uses medium-high heat, a quick flip halfway through, and an instant-read thermometer to guarantee tender, flavorful chicken every time. No complicated techniques—just great grilled chicken.
⏱️ Grill Time for Chicken Tenders
- Grill for about 10 minutes total—about 4–5 minutes per side.
- Use medium-high heat (about 450°F) for juicy, flavorful tenders.
- Cook to 165°F in the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer.
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📝 TL;DR — Recipe Summary
What: Juicy grilled chicken tenders with simple seasoning in about 10 minutes.
Why: Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, cookouts, meal prep, or picky eaters.
How: Season simply, then grill over medium-high heat (about 450°F) for 4–5 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
🐓 Ingredients
- Chicken tenders: Or slice boneless skinless chicken breasts into strips across the grain.
- Oil: A light coating helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
- Seasoning: Keep it simple with salt and pepper or use my All-Purpose Seasoning (salt, pepper, and garlic powder).
👨🍳 Quick Overview: How to Grill Chicken Tenders
1. Trim the tenders
Preheat the grill to about 450°F and clean and oil the grates. Trim the tendons from the chicken tenders and pat dry.
Don't skip trimming the tendon—it stays chewy even after cooking.
✅ Pro Tip: If cooking other foods at a higher temperature, keep a cooler area on the grill for the tenders.
2. Season the tenders
Coat the chicken lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning.
3. Grill the tenders
Place the tenders over direct heat on the grates or in a grill pan. Flip after 4–5 minutes and continue grilling another 4–5 minutes until they reach 165°F in the thickest part.
✅ Pro Tip: The edges will start turning white when it's time to flip.
4. Rest and serve
Let the tenders rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
For complete step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card or keep reading for tips, flavor options, and serving ideas.
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⏲️ How Long to Grill Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders take about 10 minutes to grill, but the exact time will vary with their thickness and how evenly your grill cooks.
- Grill at a surface temperature of about 450°F.
- Flip once halfway through, around the 4- to 5-minute mark.
- Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer.
- Overcooking will dry out and toughen the chicken.
- Undercooking is not safe. The USDA recommends cooking all poultry to 165°F.
🧂 Seasoning Options
Start with salt and pepper or my All-Purpose Seasoning. For a different flavor, try:
- Your favorite chicken seasoning
- BBQ Dry Rub
- Blackened Seasoning
- Black Magic Seasoning
If you have time, marinate the tenders for 30 minutes to 2 hours before grilling. Good choices include:
- Your favorite chicken marinade
- Lemon Butter Marinade
- Italian dressing
- Easy Chicken Marinade
- Buttermilk Marinade
♨️ Grill Temperature
Grill chicken tenders at a surface temperature of about 450°F, which is medium-high heat on most gas grills. Charcoal, pellet, and other grills work just as well if you maintain a similar cooking temperature. Too much heat can dry the outside before the inside reaches 165°F.
A grill surface thermometer is the best way to know your cooking surface is at the right temperature.
📘 See: A Beginner’s Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill for more information.
❓ FAQs
Yes. Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips of similar thickness and grill the same way, cooking to 165°F.
Grilled chicken tenders are great with classic dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, ranch, honey mustard, buffalo sauce, or ketchup. For something different, try a homemade garlic aioli or your favorite spicy sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently to avoid drying them out.
They pair well with potatoes, rice, pasta salad, green salad, grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, baked beans, or fresh fruit.
No. Thaw completely before grilling so they cook evenly and safely to 165°F.
🍽️ More Easy Chicken Recipes
Looking for another easy chicken dinner? Here are a few more reader favorites.
More ways to enjoy chicken tenders
- Baked Chicken Tenders – – Crispy outside, juicy inside, and oven baked.
- Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders – A crunchy classic with great flavor.
More easy chicken dinners
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs – Crispy skin and juicy meat with almost no prep.
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks – Another easy grilling favorite.
- Baked Chicken Nuggets – Homemade nuggets that both kids and adults love.
📖The Recipe Card
Grilled Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken tenders - or as many as needed
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Granular garlic powder - optional
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the grill and tenders
- 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°, medium-high on most gas grills and medium on a hot gas grill. Clean and oil the grill surface well.
Seasoning tenders
- Pat dry the chicken tenders. Trim the tendon off—it doesn't 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.
Grill chicken tenders
- Place chicken tenders over direct heat on the grill grate.
- Grill until the chicken turns pink to white along the edge (about 5 minutes). You will see the white moving up the sides. Flip and grill another approximately 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature is 165°.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- This recipe is easy to combine with grilling chicken or pork since the grill temperature is the same. For other temperatures, create two zones.
- The recommended surface temperature is 450°. If you cook 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 to cook, but you cook them to the final internal temperature.
- Kids love to dip, so use a dip if you want. Ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or mayo are fine.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor’s Note: Originally published May 30, 2013. Updated with simplified instructions, seasoning and marinade options, refreshed photos, and improved navigation.
Lila says
Do you close the cover of the gas grill for the 2 five minute grilling times or leave it open to watch.
Thx!
Lila
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Lila,
Welcome to the blog.
It is generally better closed since you can control the temperature better but you can do it open as long as you adjusted the grill to a 450° temp when with the hood staying open. But remember you are cooking to a final internal temperature of 165° internal temp and not by time.
Dan
Tom says
Superb!! One of the best things about grilling is very often the best recipes are amazingly simple. This easy chicken tender prep and grill is a great example. Simple=Zen grillin’ Thanks!!
Ian says
I've been doing these for years, but out of practice and found this post for time guidelines. A good grill pan like an Isla cast iron will make it look amazing too. I prefer to brush both sides with a dot of harissa paste (north African chili and herb pase from a tube, champ du bon is my favorite).
DrDan says
Thanks for the comment and your experience.
Dan
Judy says
I've been using your chicken recipes for awhile now. My daughter 3 and husband love the chicken I make. Thanks for sharing!
DrDan says
It is one of those you know you can do it but a quick tutorial is helpful. This is so easy to do separately for the kids and keep everyone happy.
Thanks for the comment.
DrDan
Sheila H. says
I have fed my kids lots of grilled chicken over the years, but they gobbled this up better than any I have made. I did sub Herbamare for the half of the salt. Easy and soooo good. Thanks for this quick lunch idea.
spence wainright says
great recipe
Chris says
Great idea and not just because it is healthy, but because it sounds like it tastes great.