Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken Tenders

Say goodbye to dinner dilemmas with these moist and juicy Grilled Chicken Tenders! Perfect for busy evenings, this quick and easy recipe will have dinner on the table in no time. With fresh rosemary, garlic, and a pop of lemon plus golden notes of honey for grilling, baking, or air-frying chicken. It’s love at first bite with kids and adults!

Looking for more easy chicken recipes? We’ve got you covered! Try Chicken Waldorf Salad, Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, Mississippi Chicken, or Greek Chicken Wrap (delicious when using leftover grilled lemon rosemary chicken, too!)

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Why You’ll Love These Grilled Chicken Tenders

This lemon rosemary grilled chicken recipe is a family favorite all year long. It’s one of my go-to recipes for a quick dinner idea.

• Marinated grilled chicken tenders take less than 10 minutes from grill to table.
• Homemade chicken tenders are a lean and nutritious choice that you can feel good about serving, and enjoying –unlike most fast food.
• Grilled chicken tenderloins are perfect for a summer barbecue or a weeknight meal.
• Rosemary lemon chicken marinade is ideal for grilling, roasting, or pan-frying chicken; shrimp too!
• Double the grilled rosemary basil chicken recipe to use for meal-prep recipes or use leftovers for my Summer Chicken Salad with fruit.

Ingredients For Grilled Rosemary Lemon Chicken

The easy marinade does all the work in as little as 30 minutes or up to 8 hours while you are at work.

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Chicken Breast Tenderloins – are best for grilling up a quick and easy summer meal. You can make your own out of chicken breast. (see below)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – (EVOO) adds moisture* to grilled chicken and helps transfer fat-soluble flavors to the poultry.
• Lemon Juice – is the acidic element that breaks down the protein to tenderize the chicken and add that tangy note to grilled chicken. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice when you can. 
• Honey – adds a hint of sweetness to balance the aromatic herbs.
• Garlic – fresh minced garlic. 
• Dried Oregano & Fresh Rosemary lend a bit of the Mediterranean with robust warmth, minty pepper, and earthy, woodsy pine and citrus notes.
• Fresh Basil – adds gorgeous vibrant color and bright notes of floral, woodsy green, and citrus.

*Chef’s Tip: Keep a spray bottle with olive oil next to the grill and give your meats and vegetables a spritz after turning them the first time. This will keep your grilled foods very moist and protect them from burning/charring before they are done.

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How To Make Grilled Chicken Tenders

I like to whip up this easy chicken marinade recipe beforehand so the flavors have enough time to blend. Grab a whisk, bowl, zip-top plastic bag, and a lidded jar if making lemon marinade in advance.

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Mix together the marinade ingredients and coat the chicken tenderloins with the mixture, reserving some for basting.
2. Marinate chicken for 30 minutes or up to 6 hours in the fridge. 
3. Grill chicken on medium for 2-3 minutes per side (or to an internal temperature of 165°F), basting with reserved rosemary lemon marinade.
4. Keep warm and garnish with fresh basil when serving.

Chef’s Note: It is essential to throw away used marinade after marinating chicken tenderloins. Chicken marinades can contain harmful bacteria and salmonella, which causes food poisoning.

Recipe Notes And Tips

• No grill? No Problem! Easy chicken marinade imparts a wonderful flavor to chicken tenderloins baked in the oven, cooked in a grill pan on the stove or a countertop Foreman Grill. (The Foreman is my go-to when the weather isn’t my friend.) 
• Always check your olive oil; over time, oils break down, turn rancid, and develop a strong, bitter flavor, especially during summer. Oxidized oil forms harmful compounds and can ruin the taste of your marinade recipes. 
• Prep your clean and heated grill grates by rubbing them with olive oil using a grill brush, a clean cloth, or a paper towel. Before cooking, you can’t go wrong with a non-stick grilling spray on hot grates so the rosemary basil chicken doesn’t stick. 
• The benefit of using chicken tenderloins is they cook up quickly. You can easily make your own by butterflying a whole breast or pounding it out, then cut into strips with a sharp knife.
• Avoid using high heat and grill chicken tenders over medium, indirect heat on the grill. Keep the lid closed to grill the chicken evenly. To ensure chicken is cooked safely, use a meat thermometer to see if it reads 165°F before serving. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part to check if the juices run clear and the meat is opaque.

Serving Suggestions

Look no further than grilled chicken tenders for an easy meal! This juicy and flavorful dish is perfect for a barbecue or a weeknight dinner. Grill chicken tenderloins to perfection and serve with your favorite side dishes and desserts!

• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Easy Three (or Four) Bean Salad
• Grilled Carrots w/Chipotle Lime Dip
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Triple Cheese Garlic Bread
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie 
• Easy Mississippi Mud Cake

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Originally posted in October 2009. UPDATED November 2018 and September 2023. We spiffed up this post with more information and 1 change to the recipe: I now use white chili beans in place of cannellini beans.