Description
Savor Mediterranean grilled chicken breasts, a culinary journey through sun-drenched landscapes and bold flavors. Marinated in herbs and olive oil, this dish delivers a perfect balance of zesty and tender goodness that will transport you to coastal Greece with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon (3 grams) fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
- 1 tablespoon (3 grams) fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, parsley, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Transfer chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, then generously coat with the prepared marinade, ensuring complete coverage.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for a minimum of 1 hour, though 4-8 hours will intensify the flavor profile.
- Preheat outdoor grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375-400°F.
- Remove chicken from marinade, discarding remaining liquid, and place directly on clean grill grates.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, rotating once to create beautiful cross-hatch grill marks.
- Verify chicken’s doneness by confirming internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- Transfer grilled chicken from grates and allow to rest for 5 minutes, which helps retain essential moisture.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving alongside complementary Mediterranean-inspired sides like roasted vegetables or crisp salad.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken breasts before marinating to ensure even more succulent results by gently pounding them to uniform thickness.
- Skip the oil if watching calories; replace with fresh lemon juice and herbs for a lighter, zesty marinade that still delivers incredible flavor.
- Transform this recipe into a gluten-free, dairy-free option by verifying all marinade ingredients are certified allergen-free and using alternative herbs.
- Enhance meal prep by doubling the recipe and storing extra grilled chicken in airtight containers for quick protein additions to salads, wraps, or grain bowls throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (or up to overnight)
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg