Best Grilled Chicken Tenders Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking tender chicken? ›

The best tenderizer though, is a salted yogurt marinade. The salt has the same effect as in a regular brine, but the lactic acid in the yogurt further tenderizes the meat. A 15-minute marinade with one cup of yogurt and one teaspoon of salt makes for the most tender chicken breasts imaginable.

Brining is simply submerging the chicken in a salt-water solution before grilling. This prevents the chicken from overcooking on the grill and also helps it get great grill marks, as the increased surface moisture and sugars brown quickly. Brining also keeps the interior of the chicken breasts juicy while grilling.

Chicken tenders are coated in crushed up Cheez-Its, baked in just a touch of butter until they're golden brown and crispy and then served with any easy honey mustard dipping sauce.

Consider brining the chicken before grilling to enhance its moisture retention. A simple brine solution of water, salt, and sugar helps the chicken absorb and retain more water, resulting in juicier meat. Brine the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours, for optimal results.

Marinate Your Chicken Breasts and Tenders

One sure-fire way to tenderize meat and pack in plenty of flavor? A solid marinade. Chicken breasts and tenders are no different in this regard; a marinade will help keep them tender, moist, and juicy. Fortunately, there are many flavor profiles to choose from with a marinade.

Marinating your chicken in something overnight can help make it all the more juicier and tender. You can use a gluten-free, acidic marinade (like olive oil and lemon juice) or something breadier (like baking soda, egg whites, and buttermilk).

So, should you oil your chicken before grilling? In the words of cluck-yes! Not only does it prevent your chicken from sticking, but it also helps retain moisture, adds a layer of flavor, and ensures a perfectly golden exterior that's sure to make even the most stoic grill master shed a tear of joy.

The ideal grill temperature range for chicken is between 350 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is narrowed down by whether you're grilling chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks.

A chicken tenderloin, or chicken tender, is a thin muscle that's loosely attached to the underside of the breast. The tenderloin is generally removed from the breast and sold separately. Chicken tenders are quite, well, tender compared to other parts of the bird.

Why are my homemade chicken tenders tough? ›

As previously mentioned, the chicken loses moisture (and fat) as the cooking time increases, resulting in a rubbery texture. You can't go back and re-make the chicken, but the good news is there are ways to fix it. You'll need to add more liquid and fat back to help the chicken become more tender and enjoyable.

Mix together flour, bread crumbs, baking powder, and salt in another large, resealable plastic bag. Remove chicken from the refrigerator; drain and discard buttermilk mixture. Place chicken in the bag with flour mixture; seal, then shake to coat. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

You're Overcooking Them

This is likely the most common mistake cooks make when it comes to chicken breasts. Of course, nobody wants a medium-rare chicken breast, but sometimes in an effort to fully cook our chicken breasts, we unintentionally overcook them. The result? An unpleasantly dry, chalky texture.

This is a personal preference and serves no purpose for food safety. If you choose to do this, however, preventing cross-contamination when soaking and removing the poultry from the water is essential.

A chicken tenderloin, or chicken tender, is a thin muscle that's loosely attached to the underside of the breast. The tenderloin is generally removed from the breast and sold separately. Chicken tenders are quite, well, tender compared to other parts of the bird.

To start, brine your chicken in a mixture of water and a few tablespoons of salt for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will boost the natural flavor and moisture of the chicken breasts and will leave you with a super tender piece of meat. This is the one step that will really ensure your chicken won't be dry or tough.

Brine. Like a marinade, a brine helps chicken breast soak up as much moisture as possible before cooking. It only requires three ingredients: water, salt, and a pinch of sugar.