The “Taste of Summer”: The Best Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Tenders!

Is there any better sign that the weekend is here than the incredible, smoky aroma of a barbecue fired up and ready to go? It’s a scent that promises delicious food, good times, and relaxed, happy meals with friends and family. It is the very essence of perfect summer cooking.

While burgers and hot dogs are always a classic choice, sometimes you crave something a little bit lighter, fresher, and more vibrant from the grill. A dish that is absolutely packed with the sunny, zesty flavors of the Mediterranean. It’s the perfect way to elevate your backyard grilling game.

Today, we are making this incredible recipe for Flavorful Lemon Herb Grilled Tenderloins. The simple, fresh marinade makes the chicken unbelievably juicy and completely packed with flavor. Get ready to discover your new favorite thing to grill this season.

The Ultimate Summer Meal: Greek Grilled Chicken

This Greek Grilled Chicken is the perfect summer meal. The classic and beloved Mediterranean combination of bright lemon, pungent garlic, savory oregano, and a good quality olive oil creates a marinade that is both incredibly fresh and deeply flavourful. It’s a light, healthy, and wonderfully satisfying dish that is perfect for any warm evening.

A Perfect Healthy Chicken Recipe for Easy Grilling Dinners

You will find that this is a fantastic healthy chicken recipe. It uses naturally lean chicken tenderloins and a wholesome, olive oil-based marinade instead of heavy sauces. This dish is also one of the absolute best easy grilling dinners you can possibly make, as the tenderloins cook on the hot grill in just a matter of minutes, making it a super fast and delicious weeknight option.

Your Guide: How Do You Marinate Chicken So It’s Not Tough?

For anyone wondering how do you marinate chicken so it’s not tough, the secret is to use a marinade that has a good balance of fat, acid, and flavor, and to not marinate it for too long. A fat like the olive oil in our recipe helps to keep the chicken incredibly moist as it cooks. The acid from the lemon juice works to tenderize the meat, but for tender cuts like chicken tenderloins, a short marinating time of 30 minutes to a few hours is all you need to get the job done.

Why You’ll Love These Lemon Herb Grilled Tenderloins

You are going to love this recipe because the chicken turns out unbelievably juicy, tender, and absolutely bursting with fresh lemon and herb flavor. It’s an incredibly quick and easy meal that is perfect for a summer barbecue or a simple and healthy weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s a light, versatile, and delicious dish that everyone in your family will enjoy.

Nutritional Benefits

This beautiful grilled chicken is a wonderfully nourishing and healthy meal. The chicken tenderloins are a fantastic source of high-quality, lean protein, which is essential for keeping you full and supporting muscle health. The simple marinade uses heart-healthy olive oil, and the fresh lemon and garlic also add a great dose of Vitamin C and beneficial, immune-boosting antioxidants to the dish.

Full Recipe

Are you ready to bring the fresh, sunny flavours of the Mediterranean to your own backyard barbecue? This comprehensive guide will walk you through every simple step, from whisking together the vibrant marinade to grilling the chicken tenders to juicy perfection. Get ready to master a new grilling favorite that will transport your taste buds straight to a Greek island.

A fresh, healthy, and incredibly easy recipe for Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Tenderloins. This perfect summer meal features tender chicken tenders marinated in a zesty Greek-style blend of lemon, garlic, and herbs, then grilled until juicy and flavourful. This is the ultimate quick and delicious dinner for a barbecue or a busy weeknight.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Marinating Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes | Yield: 4-6 servings | Category: Dinner, Main Course | Method: Grilling | Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean | Diet: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low-Carb

Essential Ingredients for Lemon Herb Grilled Tenderloins

This fresh and flavourful grilled chicken recipe comes together with a handful of simple, aromatic ingredients.

• Chicken: 2 lbs (about 1 kg) of chicken tenderloins
• For the Lemon Herb Marinade:
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients Notes

A little more detail on our key ingredients will ensure your grilled chicken is a spectacular success.

• The Chicken Tenderloins: Chicken tenderloins are the perfect cut for this recipe because they are naturally very tender and they cook incredibly quickly on the grill. Before you add them to the marinade, it’s a great idea to pat them completely dry with a paper towel. This helps the marinade to adhere to the chicken more effectively.
• The Marinade: The heart and soul of this dish is the fresh and zesty marinade. Using a good quality extra virgin olive oil will provide a beautiful, fruity flavour. For the brightest and most vibrant taste, it is absolutely essential to use both the zest and the juice of fresh lemons, as well as freshly minced garlic.
• The Herbs: A classic Greek and Mediterranean flavour combination comes from the simple pairing of savory dried oregano and fresh, bright parsley. The dried oregano has a robust, earthy flavour that stands up well to the heat of the grill. The fresh parsley is added for a final burst of clean, green flavour.

How to Make Flavorful Lemon Herb Grilled Tenderloins

Let’s walk through the simple steps to marinate and grill this perfect summer chicken dish.

• Step 1: Create the Lemon Herb Marinade. In a large bowl or a large zip-top bag, combine all the ingredients for the marinade. Add the olive oil, the lemon zest and juice, the minced garlic, the chopped fresh parsley, the dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or seal the bag and shake until everything is well combined.
• Step 2: Marinate the Chicken. Add your chicken tenderloins to the bowl or bag with the marinade. Toss or massage the bag until every single tenderloin is completely and generously coated. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
• Step 3: Prepare the Grill. When you are ready to cook, preheat your outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan to a medium-high heat. Make sure your grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Step 4: Grill to Perfection. Remove the chicken tenderloins from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the marinated tenderloins directly on the hot grill grates. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
• Step 5: Serve and Enjoy. The chicken is done when it is cooked all the way through and has beautiful, dark char marks on both sides. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean platter and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve hot with your favorite summer side dishes.

Storage Options

Leftover grilled chicken tenders make for a fantastic and healthy lunch the next day. Once the chicken has cooled completely, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can enjoy the leftovers cold and sliced on top of a fresh salad, or you can reheat them gently in a skillet or microwave.

Variations and Substitutions

This simple and fresh recipe is a wonderful template that you can easily adapt to your tastes. For a different flavour, you can add other fresh herbs to the marinade, such as chopped fresh mint or dill. If you don’t have chicken tenderloins, this marinade is also absolutely fantastic on boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. You can also thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers with chunks of bell pepper and red onion for a delicious chicken kebab.

Practical & Valuable Tips

For the most flavourful result, be sure not to marinate the chicken for too long; the acid in the lemon juice can start to change the texture of the meat if it is left for more than a few hours. Because chicken tenderloins are small and cook very quickly, it is important to keep a close eye on them on the grill to prevent them from overcooking and drying out. Finally, always let your cooked chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before you serve it, as this is the key to ensuring it is as juicy as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I bake these chicken tenderloins in the oven instead of grilling them? Yes, absolutely! To bake them, you would arrange the marinated tenderloins in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake them in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden.
2. My chicken stuck to the grill. How do I prevent that? The keys to preventing sticking are to make sure your grill is very clean and properly preheated, and to lightly oil the grill grates right before you add the chicken. You should also make sure you allow the chicken to get a good sear and release naturally from the grates before you try to flip it.
3. How do I know for sure when the chicken is cooked through? The chicken is done when the meat is opaque with no pink remaining in the center. However, the only 100% reliable way to know your chicken is safely cooked is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. The chicken should register an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
4. Can I make the marinade ahead of time? Yes, you can whisk together all the marinade ingredients and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This can be a great time-saving step for a busy weeknight.
5. What are the best side dishes to serve with this Greek-style chicken? This fresh and zesty chicken is fantastic served with a variety of classic Mediterranean side dishes. It is wonderful with some warm pita bread and a side of creamy tzatziki sauce for dipping. It also pairs beautifully with a simple Greek salad or some fluffy lemon rice.

Conclusion

This recipe for Flavorful Lemon Herb Grilled Tenderloins is your ultimate ticket to a fresh, healthy, and incredibly delicious summer meal. It’s a dish that takes a handful of simple, vibrant ingredients and transforms them into a juicy and flavour-packed main course. It’s a foolproof, quick-cooking recipe that is guaranteed to be a new favorite at your next barbecue. This is a Greek Chicken Recipe that truly tastes like sunshine. If you love this easy and healthy grilling recipe, don’t forget to share it and save it to your favorite summer dinners board on Pinterest!