Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tenders
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Make these flavorful Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tenders in less than 30 minutes! Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or on top of a salad.
Add this Grilled Buffalo Chicken tender recipe to your meal prep
In the summer I do as much meal prep as possible out on the grill to keep the kitchen cool. I love to prep proteins on the grill that I can enjoy many different ways.
These buffalo chicken tenders are delicious on their own with a dip like homemade ranch or on a salad. They are also good sliced down on a sandwich or wrap!
Do I need to prep these ahead of time?
Nope! These buffalo chicken tenders do not need to be marinated ahead of time so they will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- Baking sheet or large place
- Tongs
- Grill
- Meat thermometer
Can I make these inside if I don’t have a grill?
Yes! It is just as easy to make these buffalo chicken tenders inside on a grill pan or regular cast iron skillet. You can follow the same steps as below and baste the chicken tenders with buffalo sauce as you flip them, but just cook them indoors on the stove instead.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast tenderloins
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Hot sauce – I like Frank’s Red Hot for this recipe
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
What if i can’t find chicken tenderloins at the grocery store?
If you don’t have chicken tenderloins at the grocery store, you can cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into tender shape for this buffalo chicken tender recipe. Take each breast and cut in half horizontally.
Then, cut each piece in half or thirds depending on the size of the breasts. You should be able to get 4-6 tenders from each chicken breasts.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes! I love chicken thighs and sometimes prefers them to chicken breasts.
You can use chicken thighs and follow the same instructions for the grilled buffalo chicken tenders except you may need to grill them for longer. Just be sure to leave them on the grill or grill pan until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
How to make grilled buffalo chicken tenders
Step 1: Preheat grill and season chicken tenders
To begin, preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Then, place chicken tenders on a baking sheet or large plate.
Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne in a small bowl. Season chicken tenders on all sides with the seasoning blend.
Step 2: Prepare buffalo sauce
Next, melt butter in the microwave or on the stove top. While the butter is still warm, whisk in the hot sauce and brown sugar.
Set this sauce to the side with a basting brush.
Step 3: Grill, flip and baste chicken tenders with buffalos sauce
Once the grill is warm, bring the buffalo sauce and chicken tenders outside. Then, place the seasoned chicken tenders on the grill and cook for 2 minutes before flipping.
Next, flip the tenders and brush the top with the buffalo sauce. Close the grill and cook 2 minutes.
Repeat the process of flip, baste and grill 2 minutes until you have cooked the chicken tenders for 8 minutes total.
The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165F. Remove the chicken tenders from the grill, allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
Storage and reheating
Store this buffalo chicken tender recipe in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 to days. They will dry out easily when reheated so I like to eat the leftovers cold on a salad.
What should i eat with grilled buffalo chicken?
Serve these buffalo chicken tenders with any of the side dishes below for a delicious meal.
- Air Fryer Seasoned Sweet Potato Wedges
- Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
- Crispy Baked French Fries
- One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Make delicious buffalo chicken tenders on the grill!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast tenderloins
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Place chicken tenders on a baking sheet or large plate. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne in a small bowl. Season chicken tenders on all sides with the seasoning blend.
- Melt butter in the microwave or on the stove top. While the butter is still warm, whisk in the hot sauce and brown sugar. Set this sauce to the side with a basting brush.
- Once the grill is warm, bring the buffalo sauce and chicken tenders outside. Place the seasoned chicken tenders on the grill and cook for 2 minutes before flipping.
- Flip the tenders and brush the top with the buffalo sauce. Close the grill and cook 2 minutes. Repeat the process of flip, baste and grill 2 minutes until you have cooked the chicken tenders for 8 minutes total.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165F. Remove the chicken tenders from the grill, allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
Huda says
My husband made this tenders one day and omg they were delicious. We ended up making them in an air frier instead of on the grill. We just continued to baste the tenders every few mins and they turned out really nice and crispy and juicy. Would definitely make them again!
★★★★★
Madeline says
oooo love the air fryer idea!!
Rachel says
So easy and delicious!! A good alternative to breading, bc that takes forever and it’s messy. A weekly staple in my house!! 😋
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful! Thank you!!
Shelley says
We tried this recipe at the last minute and WOW! This wull be a staple in my recipe box and definitely a go to recipe. Chicken was perfect. I think this would be amazing on grilled wings.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Love to hear this. It would also be a good recipe on wings, I agree. Thanks, Shelley!