Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards a delicious meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a hint of spice
If you’re missing any ingredients, don’t worry. Feel free to substitute fresh herbs if you have them on hand, or adjust the spices to suit your palate. The key is to create a marinade that excites your senses, much like how my abuela taught me to cook by feel and taste.
Instructions
Let’s dive into the cooking process, which is straightforward and rewarding:
- Start by prepping your chicken tenders. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure they absorb the marinade well.
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This mix is where the magic begins.
- Add the chicken tenders to the bowl, ensuring they are evenly coated with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours if you have time. This step reminds me of watching my mother marinate meat for our Sunday cookouts, an art in itself.
- Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken tenders. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Look for those lovely grill marks that signal perfection.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
And there you have it, a dish that’s as simple as it is delightful. The key is to let the ingredients shine, much like my abuela’s approach to cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International