Sauvignon Blanc
Packed with flavors of grass, grapefruit, and other tropical fruit, Sauvignon Blanc is refreshing and delicious!
Simple Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe
View more Poultry & Chicken Recipes, Grilling Recipes
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min (without marinating time)
Yield
Serves 6 people
If you’re anything like us, you love eating seasonally, and the bright flavor of these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders is perfect to enjoy on a sunny summer day!
We made this recipe for a party where a large group of people came over for lunch. It was so quick and easy to cook these chicken tenders on the grill, and everyone loved eating them.
We made 4 pounds of chicken tenders for the party and fed 10 kids and adults. On the site, we’ve scaled the recipe down to 2 pounds, which will feed a family of four with some leftovers.
This is a straightforward recipe that you’ll have ready in 30 minutes, so if you’re an accomplished cook, you can skip right to the ingredients and get cooking.
We do know many people have questions about ingredients and what to serve with these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders, so we’ve put together the answers to a few frequently asked questions right here!
What are chicken tenders – aren’t they something you get at a fast-food joint?
Ha! Of course we’re all well aware of fried chicken tenders, but at Lake Geneva Country Meats, we also love fresh chicken tenders!
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken tenderloins, are a cut of chicken meat. They are the small, narrow strips of muscle attached to the underside of each chicken breast.
You’ll often purchase chicken breasts that have the tenderloin removed for other uses, but sometimes you’ll find breasts that still have the tenders attached.
These are long and slender which make them perfect for quick cooking recipes like these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders!
How long do I need to marinate these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders?
Marinating is a surface treatment, not something that deeply penetrates the meat, so if you are short on time, you just need to toss the chicken in the marinade, cover all surfaces, and get cooking.
If you have more time, it doesn’t hurt to let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just remember if your food will be out for more than 30 minutes to put it in the refrigerator.
What if I don’t have fresh herbs for the marinade?
While not ideal, you can use dried herbs instead if you don’t have fresh herbs to make the marinade.
Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor than fresh ones, so only use about 1/3 the volume of what the recipe calls for in fresh herbs.
For this recipe, as written, you can use about 4 teaspoons of each dried herb if you go that route.
Can I cook these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders without a grill?
If it’s storming outside, too cold for grilling (it happens, even in Wisconsin), or if you don’t have a grill, you can still cook these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders. Here are two methods:
STOVETOP METHOD:
Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat, add a touch of oil, and cook the marinated tenders for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
OVEN METHOD:
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lay the chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway, or until fully cooked and slightly golden.
Just make sure that your lemon herb grilled chicken tenders reach 165º internal temperature when they’re done cooking!
What do I serve with these lemon herb grilled chicken tenders?
We served this chicken dish at our party with rice and grilled vegetables. Here are a few suggestions for you to try as sie dishes:
- Garlic Butter Pasta
- Grilled Summer Vegetables like bell pepper, onion, summer squash, and zucchini!
- Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Roasted Baby Potatoes with Rosemary
- Summer Squash & Lemon Risotto
- Tomato Salad
Or a whole host of other delicious side dishes!
Do you have more chicken tender recipes?
If you liked our lemon herb grilled chicken tenders, we bet you’ll like our other chicken tender recipes like:
We hope we answered any questions you may have about chicken tenders and how to prepare this lemon herb grilled chicken tenders recipe.
If you have more questions or feedback, leave us a comment, and we’ll answer. Thanks for checking out this recipe; we’ll see you soon at Lake Geneva Country Meats!
Ingredients
- 2 lb LGCM Chicken Tenders
- 2 Lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup Rosemary (fresh – chopped)
- 1/4 cup Thyme (fresh – chopped)
- 1 Tbsp Kosher Salt
- 2 tsp Black Pepper
Directions
In a mixing bowl, combine the zest and juice from 2 lemons with the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the marinade into a large, sealable plastic bag.
Add the chicken tenders to the bag and ensure each tender is well-coated. Let them marinate in your refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Heat your grill to medium-high heat, and once it is hot, remove the chicken tenders from the bag, and let any excess marinade drip off. Place directly over the heat and cook for about 5 – 6 minutes per side until they reach 165ºF.
Once the tenders are cooked, remove them from the grill and serve with more lemon slices and fresh herbs for garnish. Enjoy!
