Grill up these easy moist and chicken tenders for the kids or the kid in you. Ultra simple with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions.
Editor’s Note: Originally Published May 30, 2013. Updated with expanded instructions and updated photos.
Do you have one of “those” kids? You know, the one who won’t eat what you cook and you end up doing something separate and almost always unhealthy.
This is the solution — minimal work, time, and guaranteed to calm that 3-year-old dinner monster. You have steak, and they have healthy chicken tenders.
My Rating
A solid 4 for the adult but a 5 for little ones.
Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Grilled Chicken Tenders
The Chicken
Chicken tenders are the chicken equivalent of a beef or pork tenderloin. So moist and tender if done right.
I like to cut the tendon that is attached to the meat off. You can’t chew it, and the kids tend not to like it there.
You can also cut strips of chicken breasts to do this if you want, but they will cook a bit slower. But you are cooking to a final internal temperature anyway so it will be fine.
The Grill
You want a grill surface temperature of about 450. With tenders, a little under is much better than a little over on the temperature.
On my grill that is about medium or slightly more. On most gas grills, it will be medium-high.
A grill surface thermometer will help you a lot to be a better griller. Please see A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill.
This can be done easily on a charcoal grill but not directly over the coals.
The Technique
Coat with a little olive oil. Then some salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. Put over medium heat for 4-5 minutes flip once, and you’re done in another 4-5 minutes. Make that about 12 minutes total time.
Give them a little sauce to dip like some ranch dressing or BBQ, and they will be in kiddy heaven.
Other Kid-Friendly Chicken Recipes
Oven Baked Chicken Legs: The Art of Drummies
Grilled Chicken Drumsticks: The Art of Drummies
Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Spicy Baked Chicken Strips
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Preheat 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 as much as is easy to cut.
In a mixing bowl, mix 6 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 over direct heat.
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 internal temperature is 165 degrees. Time will vary with the size and thickness of the tender and your exact grill temperature.
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Grilled Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken tenders - or as many as needed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon granular garlic powder - optional
Instructions
- Preheat 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 as much as is easy to cut.
- In a mixing bowl, mix 6 tenders with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon granular garlic powder (optional). Adjust spices and oil according to the number of tenders and your taste.
- Place over direct heat.
- 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 internal temperature is 165 degrees. Time will vary with the size and thickness of the tender and your exact grill temperature.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- 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.
- The seasoning is approximately my 7:2:2 seasoning. Use that if you have it.
- 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.
Check Out Other Great Recipes
Nutrition is generally for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
Tom
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
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
Thanks for the comment and your experience.
Dan
Judy
I’ve been using your chicken recipes for awhile now. My daughter 3 and husband love the chicken I make. Thanks for sharing!
DrDan
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.
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
great recipe
Chris
Great idea and not just because it is healthy, but because it sounds like it tastes great.