Best 8 Smoky Barbecue Chicken Tenders Recipes

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Indulge in a tantalizing culinary journey with our irresistible Smoky Barbecue Chicken Tenders. These succulent chicken tenders are coated in a symphony of smoky and tangy flavors, tantalizing your taste buds with every bite. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these chicken tenders are elevated to new heights with a homemade barbecue sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and smokiness.

This versatile recipe offers three cooking methods to suit your convenience: air fryer, oven, or skillet. Whether you prefer the crispy crunch of air-fried chicken or the classic comfort of oven-baked tenders, this recipe has you covered. And for those who love the sizzle of a skillet, you'll be delighted with the golden-brown sear that adds an extra layer of flavor to these chicken tenders.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with this crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect for any occasion. Serve these Smoky Barbecue Chicken Tenders as an appetizer, main course, or even as a party snack. Pair them with your favorite sides, such as crispy fries, creamy mashed potatoes, or a refreshing coleslaw, to complete the ultimate comfort food experience.

So, fire up your air fryer, preheat your oven, or heat your skillet, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving for more.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

SMOKY BARBECUE CHICKEN TENDERS



Smoky Barbecue Chicken Tenders image

Smokey barbecue flavor for an easy chicken tender.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/2 cup smoky barbecue sauce
1 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
1 package (14 oz) uncooked chicken tenders (not breaded)
Additional barbecue sauce, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  • In shallow bowl, place 1/2 cup barbecue sauce. In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, place bread crumbs. Dip chicken into barbecue sauce. Place in bread crumb bag; seal and shake to coat. Place chicken on cookie sheet.
  • Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink in center and bread crumbs are golden brown. Serve with additional barbecue sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 440 mg, Sugar 11 g, TransFat 0 g

SMOKED CHICKEN TENDERS



Smoked Chicken Tenders image

This recipe takes tender chicken and adds tons of flavor. It is great with any starch, and it doesn't take much to put a mexican spin on it and eat it in tacos or with rice and beans. We always make extra and use it for wraps and on salads for weekday lunches!

Provided by Scott Holmes

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1½ lbs Chicken Tenders
¼ C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1 tbsp Spicy Brown Mustard (Creole Mustard also works great)
¼ tsp Black Pepper (Ground)
1 tbsp Honey
1 Pn Kosher Salt
1 tsp Oregano

Steps:

  • Place the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl and use a whisk to combine.
  • Place the chicken tenders into a large bowl or ziplock bag and cover with marinade.
  • Marinade for 1-4 hours.
  • Prepare grill or smoker with a mild fruit wood or hickory chunks for flavor.
  • When temp is 250°F add tenders to grill or smoker and cook indirect with a mild fruit wood or hickory to smoke.
  • Smoke around 250°F for approximately 45 minutes.
  • If desired allow grill to heat up and cook tenders over direct flame for a few minutes to add color.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Sodium 226 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SMOKY GRILLED CHICKEN



Smoky Grilled Chicken image

Instant coffee is the "secret" ingredient in this sweet and spicy sauce. Don't be surprised when folks tell you this is the best chicken they've ever had! -Kathy Whipple, Twin Falls, Idaho

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1/2 cup hot water
1 bottle (14 ounces) ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 to 4 pounds), quartered

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve sugar, mustard and coffee in hot water. Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke if desired. Reserve 1 cup for basting; refrigerate remaining sauce. , Grill chicken, covered, on an oiled rack over medium heat for 30 minutes, turning and basting with sauce frequently. Grill, covered, 15 minutes longer, turning and basting occasionally or until juices run clear. Serve with reserved sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516 calories, Fat 25g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 153mg cholesterol, Sodium 744mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 50g protein.

BBQ CHICKEN TENDERS



BBQ Chicken Tenders image

Barbecue sauces range from mild and sweet to fiery hot. For this recipe, a mild variety works best. Try these with our savory Corn Fritters.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 4

Vegetable oil, for the grates
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3/4 cup store-bought barbecue sauce

Steps:

  • Heat grill to medium-high; lightly oil grates. Place chicken in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over chicken, and toss to coat. Divide remaining barbecue sauce between two bowls (1/4 cup each); use one for basting and the other for serving.
  • Grill chicken, turning and basting occasionally with reserved basting sauce, 8 to 10 minutes total. Remove chicken from grill; serve with reserved serving sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 222 g, Fat 3 g, Protein 40 g

SMOKED BBQ CHICKEN



Smoked BBQ Chicken image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

4 to 5 pounds chicken parts
16 ounces Italian salad dressing (recommended: Newman's Own)
5 ounces spice rub (recommended: BBQ- N- Fools BBQ Rub)

Steps:

  • Place the chicken parts in a plastic bag and pour in salad dressing. Let marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.
  • Remove the chicken from the plastic bag and coat with the spice rub. Place the chicken into a preheated 250 to 300 F degree smoker and cook for 2 to 3 hours, depending on the type and size of the chicken pieces.
  • Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 180 degrees F, or the juices run clear, the chicken is finished cooking and ready to serve. Enjoy!

CRISPY BARBECUE CHICKEN TENDERS



Crispy Barbecue Chicken Tenders image

These crunch-coated chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. -Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup minced fresh chives
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
CHICKEN:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground mustard
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups coarsely crushed barbecue potato chips
1-1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins
Oil for frying

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix sour cream, chives, garlic and salt. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and seasonings. Place eggs and potato chips in separate shallow bowls. Dip chicken in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in eggs, then in potato chips, patting to help coating adhere., In a deep skillet, heat 1/4 in. oil to 375°. Fry chicken, a few strips at a time, until golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 27g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 109mg cholesterol, Sodium 492mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

SLOW-SMOKED BARBECUE CHICKEN



Slow-Smoked Barbecue Chicken image

Provided by Joe Carroll

Categories     Chicken     Low Fat     Kid-Friendly     Grill/Barbecue     Low Cholesterol     Cinnamon     Cumin     Small Plates

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup ground espresso beans
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), giblets removed
Special equipment:
Charcoal kettle grill, chimney starter, heavy-duty fireproof gloves, disposable aluminum tray, instant-read thermometer, hardwood charcoal, wood chunks or soaked wood chips, large non-reactive 5-gallon container.

Steps:

  • First, make the dry rub:
  • Combine all the ingredients except for the chicken in a resealable container, cover tightly, and shake well to combine. (Dry rub can be stored, covered, in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months.)
  • If brining:
  • In a stockpot, bring 1 gallon water and 1 cup dry rub to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Let the brine cool to room temperature, then transfer to a nonreactive container and refrigerate until chilled. Add the chicken to the cold brine and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.
  • Set a wire rack on a baking sheet. Remove the chicken from the brine, pat dry with paper towels, and place on the wire rack. Discard the brine. Refrigerate for 6 hours.
  • If using the dry rub instead of brining:
  • Put the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and coat the chicken lightly all over with 1/2 cup dry rub (you may not need all of the rub) and set aside.
  • Prep your kettle grill:
  • Remove any ash and debris if the smoker has been previously used and clean the grates. Fill a chimney starter about halfway with hardwood charcoal. Loosely crumple a couple of pieces of newspaper and drizzle or spray them with vegetable oil (this helps the paper burn longer and speeds up the charcoal-lighting process). Stuff the paper into the chimney's lower chamber place the chimney on the smoker's top grate, and light it. Let the charcoal burn until the coals are glowing red and coated in gray ash, about 15 minutes. Put on a pair of heavy-duty fireproof gloves and carefully dump the charcoal into one side of the grill-over the bottom air vent if your grill has one-leaving the other half free of coals. Place a disposable aluminum tray on the other side to use as a drip pan.
  • Place a few hardwood chunks or a foil packet of wood chips over the coals. Add the top grate and put your meat over the drip pan. Cover the grill, placing the air vents in the lid over the meat. Open both vents about halfway.
  • Place the chicken in the smoker and smoke, maintaining a smoker temperature of between 200° and 225°F, replenishing the wood chunks or chips as needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a leg registers 165°F, 3 to 5 hours. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • At this point, you can cut the chicken into quarters or tear the meat into shreds to make pulled chicken. Or, if you want extra-crispy skin, you can briefly roast the chicken in a 450°F oven, or prepare a grill with hot and cool sides, put the chicken over the cool side, cover the grill, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.

SPICED SMOKY BARBECUED CHICKEN



Spiced smoky barbecued chicken image

Try Aussie chef Ben O'Donoghue's bonza barbecued chook - it really is finger licking good

Provided by Ben O'Donoghue

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 garlic cloves , peeled finely
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp Kashmiri spice mix, or good-quality curry powder
1 dried bird's-eye chilli , seeded and crushed, or a pinch of chilli flakes
3 tbsp olive oil
12 chicken thighs , bone in, skin on
2 large bunches each rosemary and thyme
2 branches fresh bay leaves

Steps:

  • Make the marinade. Smash the garlic with a little salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the lemon zest and juice, the spice mix, chilli, oil and a good grinding of black pepper. Mix to a paste. This can be done in a mini food processor.
  • Toss the chicken in the marinade and set aside while you light the barbecue. When the barbecue's hot, lay the bunches of herbs on the grid and put the chicken, skin side up, on top. Close the lid, if your barbecue has one, and cook the chicken on the smouldering herbs for about 10 minutes until the meat starts to colour. Turn the chicken and continue to cook for a further 20-30 minutes, turning as necessary, until it is slightly charred from the burnt herbs and cooked through to the bone.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 628 calories, Fat 48 grams fat, SaturatedFat 13 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 2 grams carbohydrates, Protein 47 grams protein, Sodium 0.58 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use a quality barbecue sauce. This is the key ingredient that will give your chicken tenders their smoky flavor. Look for a sauce that is thick and flavorful, with a good balance of sweet and tangy.
  • Don't overcook the chicken. Chicken tenders are best when they are cooked through but still juicy. Overcooking will make them tough and dry.
  • Serve the chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. Ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, and honey mustard are all popular choices.
  • Garnish the chicken tenders with fresh herbs or vegetables. This will add a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Smoky barbecue chicken tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a casual weeknight dinner. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a dish that your family and friends will love.

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