Grilling dinner is one of the things that we dream about during long Cleveland winters.   We’ve even been known to fire our Weber back up on some February nights (“It’s above 30 today?  PERFECT!  Let’s grill some pizza!”).  Now that it’s summer, we’re using our grill almost every weekend.  Veg, pizza, protein….you name it and we’ve probably tried to grill it.   We even use it as a smoker for brisket, chicken, pork, fish, and vegetables (Which just reminded me to post our recipe for smoked corn on the cob. Stay tuned).  

I work most weeknights coaching a running group, meeting with clients, or as sports medicine staff at a local high school.   Once I get home, I don’t have much of an opportunity to cook dinner those evenings.  Grilling a large amount of protein like chicken allows us to freeze the leftovers for weeknight meals.  This gives us a portion-controlled, healthier option for dinner instead of the carry-out we’d otherwise be eating.  

We often buy a pound of chicken tenders at Cleveland’s West Side Market and pick 3-4 different marinades for them.   Here’s our favorite summer varieties-  enjoy!

Chimichurri is a sauce traditional to Argentina or Uruguay made of fresh herbs.  It’s used as a marinade in this recipe, but also makes for a fantastic fresh topping for practically anything. In fact, the first time I had it was as a side for my Happy Dog tots. 

This marinade packs a flavor punch from the fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon.  You can use it on literally any protein, but the chicken pairs nicely on the grill.   

*Note-  We used avocado oil for both the chimichurri and the tomato basil marinades.  That’s because both will be heated on the grill with the chicken. 

Olive oil is a source of healthy fats; however cooking it removes some it’s benefits.  In fact, cooking with olive oil at a temperature over 220 degrees can be harmful. 

Avocado oil is also a healthy fat that has a higher smoke point (520 degrees) and can be used safely on the high heat of the grill. 

Olive oil has better flavor and would be a much better choice if you are making the chimichurri as a fresh (raw) dipping sauce.    

Tomato basil is a flavor that screams summer.  We used fresh herbs from our garden in this one.  If you have oregano, rosemary, or thyme on hand, use them to add depth to this marinade.  If you don’t- no worries – perfectly ok to let the basil be the star of this show. 

Lastly, this cayenne and sugar combination is the perfect sweet and spicy mix.  The sugar caramelizes on the grill perfectly.  Eat this chicken by itself or in a recipe that our friend calls the “ultimate summer sandwich” with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, goat cheese, and arugula – coming soon to the blog.

Always remember to try to choose organic when buying chicken or any type of meat.   Organic means the animal was raised on a farm without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or other forms of poisonous substances/pollutants.   It’s also important to choose meat that is antibiotic and hormone free as those substances will be passed to you or whoever is eating your food.  

Sometimes buying organic is not always possible, but it’s important to do it as often as you can.   If you can’t buy organic or hormone/antibiotic free meat, buying local is another great option.  Often, local or smaller-scale farmers don’t go through the process to be certified organic due to the cost, but they still raise their animals organically and humanely.  Plus, buying local means a decreased carbon footprint from decreased mileage your food has to travel.  It also helps to support responsible use of land in your own hometown-  something that we Clevelanders try to do at every chance.   Because Northeast Ohio is a pretty awesome place to live and many of us would like to keep it that way 🙂

These foods are good sources of: 

1. Lean protein 

2. Potassium  

3. Lycopene 

4. Vitamins A, B, K

*Scroll down for to learn why these vitamins and minerals can help you feel your best!

THE GOOD STUFF :  nutrients your body needs to be it’s best