Name: Juicy Grilled Chicken Tenderloins (Family Favorite!)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon); 1 tbsp honey; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

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You know those perfect summer evenings that just feel like a deep, happy sigh? The sun dips low, painting everything in that beautiful golden light, and the last thing I want to do is stand over a hot stove and miss a minute of it.

I want to be on the porch, listening to the cicadas tune-up. Those are the nights this recipe for Grilled Chicken Tenderloins was made for.

For our family, this became my secret weapon for a “no-fuss” dinner that still feels special. It’s really more of a simple method than a big, complicated production, and the result is always the same: wonderfully juicy grilled chicken tenderloins that bring everyone to the table with a smile.

It’s the taste of a relaxed, happy Tuesday night, and it’s just proof that the most wonderful memories so often come from the simplest dinners. 💛

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 💛

This recipe has become an absolute staple in my kitchen, and I just know you’re going to love it, too. It’s one of those little gems I turn to all summer long. Here’s why:

Ready in a Flash! This is my lifesaver for those busy “what’s for dinner?” nights. The grilled chicken tenders marinade uses just a few pantry staples, and the chicken only needs to soak for 15 minutes!
Always Juicy and Tender Chicken tenderloins are just wonderful, aren’t they? They cook up so quickly on the grill and stay so moist. It takes all the guesswork out of grilling chicken, I promise!
Simple, Sunshine Flavor That bright, simple lemon and herb marinade gives the chicken such a fresh, savory flavor. It’s a light, healthy grilled chicken tenderloins recipe that just tastes like summer on a plate.
Wonderfully Versatile We love these right off the grill for dinner, but I always try to make a few extra! They are just perfect for slicing over a fresh salad or tucking into a wrap for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

Oh, this is the best kind of ingredient list! No fussy, hard-to-find items here. The beauty of this easy grilled chicken recipe is that it uses simple pantry staples to create such a wonderful flavor.

Chicken Tenderloins: You’ll need about 1.5 pounds. I just love using tenderloins because they truly live up to their name, they’re always tender and cook so quickly and evenly.
Olive Oil: 1/4 cup. This is the heart of our grilled chicken tenders marinade and keeps everything moist.
Lemon Juice: 1/4 cup, which is usually the juice from one large, fresh lemon. I promise, the fresh juice makes all the difference!
Honey: Just 1 tablespoon. This adds a tiny touch of sweetness to balance the zippy lemon and helps the chicken get those beautiful, golden grill marks.
Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon. (Or you can use Italian seasoning!)
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon.
Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the Marinade

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

Ellie’s Tip: I often just use a large, resealable plastic bag for this! I can mix the grilled chicken tenders marinade right in the bag, add the chicken, and have the easiest cleanup in the world.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Add your chicken tenderloins to the bowl (or the bag!) with the marinade. Give them a gentle toss to make sure every single piece is nicely coated.

Now, here’s my favorite part: You only need to let them sit for 15 minutes!

Ellie’s Tip: Because tenderloins are so naturally tender, they don’t need hours to soak up all that flavor. Just 15-20 minutes on the counter while your grill heats up is truly all you need.

Raw grilled chicken tenders marinade being mixed with fresh chicken tenderloins in a bowl.

3. Preheat Your Grill

While the chicken is marinating, go ahead and preheat your grill. You want it at a good, medium-high heat, right around 400°F to 450°F.

Ellie’s Tip: My best tip for a grilled chicken on gas grill is to make sure your grates are nice and clean! I always give them a good scrape and then carefully wipe them with a paper towel dipped in a little oil (holding it with long tongs, of course!). This is the secret to preventing that pretty chicken from sticking.

4. Grill to Perfection

Place your marinated tenderloins right on the hot grill. Be sure to leave a little space between each one. This helps them sear and get those beautiful grill marks, instead of just steaming!

Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side. You’ll know they’re ready to flip when they release easily from the grates.

Flip them over and let them cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (an internal thermometer should read 165°F). It’s that fast!

Grilled Chicken Tenderloins cooking on the hot grates of a gas grill.

5. Let It Rest! (My Most Important Tip!)

Please don’t skip this part! Transfer your cooked chicken to a clean plate and just let it be for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Ellie’s Tip: This little bit of patience is my secret to juicy grilled chicken tenderloins every single time. It allows all those wonderful juices to settle back into the meat instead of running out onto the plate. It’s worth the wait, I promise!

What to Serve With Grilled Chicken Tenderloins

Because this chicken is so simple and fresh, it’s like a good friend that gets along with everything! It’s so easy to turn this into a full, satisfying meal.

Some of our family’s favorites are:

A Fresh Garden Salad A crisp salad with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers with a simple vinaigrette is a perfect, light partner.
Classic Cookout Sides You can never go wrong with a scoop of creamy potato salad, or, in the peak of summer, some sweet corn on the cob!
Grilled Vegetables This is my favorite “no-fuss” tip! Since you already have the grilled chicken on gas grill going, why not use it for your veggies, too? Just toss some asparagus spears, zucchini planks, or sliced bell peppers in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grill them right alongside the chicken.
Fluffy Rice or Potatoes: A simple side of white rice is wonderful, but these are heavenly served next to a scoop of my Best Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes to soak up any of those extra delicious juices!

Storing & Reheating

To Store: Just let your healthy grilled chicken tenderloins cool down completely. Then, pop them into an airtight container and they’ll keep beautifully in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To Reheat: The secret to reheating is to be gentle so they stay juicy!
- In the Microwave: This is the fastest! Just place them on a plate, cover them with a damp paper towel (this is my little trick!), and heat them in 30-second bursts until they’re just warm.
- My Favorite Way (Stovetop): I like to warm them in a little skillet over low heat. I add just a splash of water or chicken broth to the pan and cover it. This steams them a little and makes them so tender!

Of course, my easiest way to use them is to not reheat them at all! They are just wonderful served cold and sliced right over a salad.

Common Questions

Can I make these on an indoor grill pan?

Absolutely! I do this all the time on rainy days. Just preheat your stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat, brush it with a little oil, and grill the tenderloins for the same 3-4 minutes per side.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?

You bet! This marinade is lovely on all cuts. For the best results, I’d suggest slicing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch thick strips. This way, they’ll cook just as quickly and evenly as the tenderloins.

How do I keep my grilled chicken from drying out?

This is my favorite question! This easy grilled chicken recipe has three little secrets to guarantee juicy grilled chicken tenderloins:

The Marinade: The olive oil in the marinade is our first step, as it helps lock in moisture.
Don’t Overcook! This is the biggest culprit of dry chicken. Pull the tenderloins off the grill the second your thermometer reads 165°F.
Let It Rest! This is my most important tip. Always let your chicken rest on a clean plate for 5 minutes before you slice it. This lets all those wonderful juices settle back into the meat.

The Easiest Way to a Happy Dinner Table

A white plate of the best juicy grilled chicken tenderloins with lemon and herbs.

I truly hope this simple, easy grilled chicken recipe brings a little ease and a lot of joy to your dinner table.

There is something so special about a meal that doesn’t ask too much of you but gives back so much in comfort and flavor. It’s a reminder that nourishing our families doesn’t have to be complicated to be wonderful. If you loved this, you can find even more simple supper ideas in my Grilled Recipes category!.

If you try these Grilled Chicken Tenderloins, I would be so happy to hear how you liked them! Please come back and leave me a comment and a rating below. I just love hearing how it went!

And, of course, if you want to save this recipe for your next busy weeknight, please pin it to your favorite board on Pinterest!

Happy grilling! 😊