Smoked Chicken Tenders

If you recently have purchased a smoker, then these Smoked Chicken Tenders are the perfect smoker recipe to start with. We love using our smoker for many recipes and have even made Smoked Queso Recipe, Smoked Stuffed Peppers and Smoked Meatballs at our last family gathering.

You will love how quick and easy these chicken tenders cook in the smoker. They are definitely a lot quicker then cooking a Smoked Whole Chicken. The best part is you can choose your favorite seasoning and wood type for the best flavor!

Make sure to check out all of our Smoker Recipes for Beginners and the The Best Meats to Smoke to impress your family all year long.

Why You’ll Love Smoked Chicken Tenders

• Juicy, Tender and Never Dry
• Ready to Eat in about 1 Hour
• Serve in Many Different Ways
• Cook in a Pellet Smoker, Electric Smoker or Offset Smoker

Ingredients

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenders – You can also smoke chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken breast with this seasoning blend.
• Olive Oil – You can also use avocado oil or vegetable oil
• Soy Sauce – Substitute with coconut aminos for a gluten free option
• Minced Garlic – Substitute with garlic powder
• Cajun Seasoning – Add the smoky flavor to the chicken

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Chicken Tenders in the Smoker

Step 1 – Place all the ingredients except for the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Stir to thoroughly combine the marinade ingredients.

Step 2 – Then add in the chicken and make sure it’s coated with the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinade for at least 20 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Step 3 – Preheat a smoker with a water pan to 225 degrees F. Place the chicken directly on the smoker racks or grill grates in the smoker.

Step 4 – Cook the chicken for 45-60 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the smoker.  Let it sit for 5 minutes and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Meat Thermometer – Use an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure that the chicken is cooked to the current temperature.
• Brined Chicken – In this smoker recipe, we did not do the brining process. We allowed the chicken to marinate for about 30 minutes but you could marinate for up to 8 hours. This will help to keep the chicken moist and full of flavor.

Seasoning Variations

The best part of smoking chicken tenderloins is the different ways to seasoning them. We used a simple marinade but you can easily use a dry rub to give them flavor. Try adding in about ½ teaspoon of these spices for a delicious variation.

• Salt and Pepper
• Brown Sugar
• Chili Powder
• BBQ Rub Recipe

Best Wood to Smoke Chicken Tenders

Depending on what flavor your prefer these are our recommendations.

• Applewood – Mild with a slightly sweet flavor
• Hickory – Smoking and strong BBQ Flavor
• Pecan – Warm buttery and nutty flavor
• Maple – Mild with a hint of sweetness

Make sure to add chips to the smoker every 15 minutes if your smoker does not have an automatic feature.    

Serving Ideas

Smoked Chicken Tenders make a delicious weeknight meal. We love to serve with our favorite Smoked or Grilled Sides. Try these family favorites for a complete meal idea.

• Smoked Mashed Potatoes
• Smoked Asparagus
• Grilled Broccolini
• Smoked Baked Potatoes
• Grilled Vegetables in Foil
• Smoked Mac and Cheese
• Smoked Green Beans

My kids love when I make their favorite dipping sauce such as Honey BBQ Sauce, Hot Honey BBQ Sauce, Homemade Ranch Dip or Yum Yum Sauce.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Storing – Store the any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Use your leftovers to make a chicken wraps, tacos or to top your favorite salads.
• Freezer – Place the leftovers in a freezer safe container or ziplock freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge when ready to serve.
• Reheating – We like to reheat the leftovers in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 3 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave.