Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Looking for an easy summer dinner that feels a little more exciting than plain grilled chicken? These honey mustard chicken tenders are sweet, tangy, juicy, and made for those nights when the grill is already hot and you just need something everyone will actually eat.

This recipe feels like the kind of thing you make once and then keep on repeat all summer. As a Southern dietitian and mom, I love a meal that can go from weeknight dinner to cookout platter without making life harder. The whole grain mustard gives the marinade a little texture, the honey brings that sweet golden flavor, and the grill adds just enough smoky char to make it feel special.

If you're looking for more easy dinner favorites, try my cornflake chicken tenders or hot honey salmon bites next.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for summer grilling: These grilled honey mustard chicken tenders are easy enough for a weeknight but still feel right at home at a backyard BBQ or picnic.
• Simple but flavorful: Honey, whole grain mustard, garlic, vinegar, and paprika come together for a sweet and tangy marinade that makes the chicken taste anything but boring.
• Fast dinner option: This family-favorite recipe is great when you want grilled chicken without waiting forever for thick chicken breasts to cook through.
• Can be used so many ways: Serve these chicken tenders with summer sides, slice them over salads, tuck them into wraps, or make easy chicken sliders.

Ingredients for Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

This recipe uses simple ingredients to make juicy grilled chicken tenderloins with a sweet and tangy honey mustard marinade.

• Chicken tenderloins: Chicken tenderloins are smaller than chicken breasts, so they cook quickly and work really well for grilling. Try to choose tenderloins that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
• Olive oil: Olive oil helps the marinade coat the chicken and keeps the tenderloins from sticking to the grill.
• White wine vinegar: White wine vinegar adds brightness and balances the sweetness from the honey. It gives the marinade that tangy flavor you want in honey mustard chicken tenders.
• Whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard adds texture and a bold mustard flavor without making the marinade too sharp. It also gives the chicken a pretty speckled look after grilling.
• Honey: Honey adds sweetness and helps the chicken caramelize on the grill. Since honey can burn over high heat, medium heat works best for this recipe.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a savory flavor that balances the sweet honey and tangy mustard. You can also use garlic powder if that's what you have on hand!
• Spices: A simple blend of paprika, salt and pepper help bring the marinade together so the chicken tastes balanced and flavorful. 

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

This honey mustard chicken tenderloin recipe is easy to adjust based on what you have on hand!

• You can use Dijon mustard instead of whole grain mustard if you want a smoother marinade with a slightly sharper mustard flavor.
• Apple cider vinegar works well as a white wine vinegar substitute if that's what you already keep in your pantry.
• Slice chicken breasts into even strips if you want to use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins for this recipe.
• Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you want a juicier grilled chicken option with a little more richness.
• Add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce if you want to turn these into spicy honey mustard chicken tenders for a cookout or tailgate.
• Stir in fresh rosemary or thyme if you want an herby honey mustard marinade that feels a little more dressed up.
• Thread the tenderloins onto skewers if you want honey mustard chicken skewers that are easy to serve for summer parties or backyard BBQs.
• Mix a little extra mustard, honey, and Greek yogurt or mayo in a separate bowl if you want a homemade honey mustard sauce on the side.

How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

These chicken tenders come together with a quick marinade, a hot grill, and just a few simple steps.

Step 1: Add the olive oil, white wine vinegar, whole grain mustard, honey, garlic, paprika,salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Whisk the marinade until it is smooth and well combined. 

Step 2: Add the chicken tenderloins to the bowl and toss until each piece is well coated.

Step 4: Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 400°F, and lightly oil the grates so the chicken does not stick.

Step 5: Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off before placing the tenderloins on the grill.

Step 6: Grill the chicken tenders for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until they are golden, lightly charred, and cooked through.

Step 7: Transfer the grilled honey mustard chicken tenders to a plate and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips For Best Honey Mustard Chicken

A few small steps make a big difference when grilling chicken tenderloins, especially with a honey-based marinade.

• Keep the grill at medium heat so the honey in the marinade caramelizes without burning too quickly.
• Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes so the honey mustard marinade has time to flavor every piece.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest piece so the grilled chicken tenders reach 165°F without overcooking.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling so the juices stay in the chicken when you slice or serve it.
• Grill the tenderloins in a single layer so the chicken cooks evenly and gets those pretty golden grill marks!

What to Serve with Honey Mustard Chicken Strips

These grilled dijon mustard chicken tenders go with so many summer sides, from cookout classics to lighter produce-packed dishes.

• A side of corn on the cob always pairs well with sweet and tangy grilled chicken.
• Add Cajun coleslaw to the plate for crunch, creaminess, and a little Southern cookout flavor.
• Serve these with strawberry pasta salad for a fresh summer side that works for BBQs, picnics, or porch dinners.
• A bowl of summer berry salad keeps the meal fresh, juicy, and perfect for hot weather.
• Spoon some baked beans on the side if you want this to feel like a classic summer BBQ plate.
• Add twice baked mashed potatoes or potato salad when you want to turn these chicken tenders into a more filling family dinner.
• Use Hawaiian rolls or slider buns to turn the chicken into little honey mustard chicken sliders.

Storage

These delicious chicken tenders store well, which makes them great for meal prep, leftovers, or easy lunches the next day.

• Leftovers: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer, oven, skillet, or microwave until warmed through.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken tenders in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.