Delicious and Easy Greek Chicken Tenders Recipe
This recipe for Delicious and Easy Greek Chicken Tenders features tender chicken marinated in a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and traditional Mediterranean herbs. Grilled or pan-seared to juicy perfection, these chicken tenders are bursting with fresh citrus and savory flavors, making for a quick and flavorful meal inspired by Greek cuisine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (including minimum marination time)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (approximately 1 lemon)
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders or sliced chicken breasts
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or dill (optional)
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy, creating a refreshing citrus base for the chicken.
- Add seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional ground cumin. Mix well to combine all the robust flavors and aromas uniformly throughout the marinade.
- Marinate chicken: Add the chicken tenders to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Prepare to cook: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat and add a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking and promote caramelization.
- Cook chicken: Place the marinated chicken tenders onto the hot grill or skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms and the chicken is cooked through and juicy inside.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the chicken from heat and let rest for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or dill for a bright and fresh finishing touch before serving warm.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken breasts sliced into tenders instead of pre-cut chicken tenders.
- Ground cumin is optional but adds a lovely earthy depth to the marinade.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on thickness of chicken pieces and your cooking equipment.
- Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
