Description
This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders recipe features tender chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of Dijon mustard, honey, fresh rosemary, shallots, and lemon juice. The chicken is grilled to perfection, resulting in a juicy, slightly charred, and sweet-savory dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a summer cookout.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/4 cup coarse ground Dijon mustard
- 1/2 shallot, diced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon plus more to taste
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, diced shallot, honey, olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Set aside half of this mixture in the refrigerator to be used later for brushing the cooked chicken.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken tenderloins in a gallon-size Ziploc bag or a large bowl. Pour in the remaining marinade, ensuring the chicken is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours, turning occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly. When ready, drain the chicken from the marinade.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium heat, preparing it for cooking the chicken tenders.
- Grill the chicken: Brush the chicken tenderloins lightly with canola oil and season with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Place the chicken on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), approximately 8 minutes.
- Brush with reserved marinade: During the last 1-2 minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with the reserved Dijon mustard mixture to add extra flavor and a glossy finish. Continue cooking briefly to warm the glaze without burning it.
- Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the grill and serve immediately while hot and juicy, ideal for pairing with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken for at least 2 hours but no longer than 8 hours to avoid overpowering the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption.
- If you don’t have a grill, the chicken can be cooked on a grill pan or skillet over medium heat.
- Leftover marinade that has not touched the raw chicken can be used as a sauce or dip.
- Fresh rosemary can be substituted with thyme or oregano if preferred.
- Serve with grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or rice for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
