Description
Zesty Mediterranean Grilled Citrus Chicken elevates summer dinner with tangy marinades and bold herb notes. Fresh lemon, garlic, and olive oil create a quick weeknight meal that sparks global flavor in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Citrus Juices:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lime juice
Marinade and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (Optional):
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lemon slices
- Lime slices
- Orange slices
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil, citrus juices, soy sauce, garlic, honey, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly integrated.
- Submerge chicken breasts in the marinade within a sealed container or plastic bag, ensuring complete coating. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours, periodically rotating to guarantee uniform flavor absorption.
- Configure grill to medium-high temperature around 400°F, preparing cooking surfaces by lightly oiling grates to prevent protein adherence.
- Extract chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drain. Discard remaining marinade for food safety.
- Position chicken breasts on heated grill, cooking approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Monitor internal temperature, targeting 165°F for complete doneness. Look for attractive caramelized exterior and consistent golden-brown grill marks.
- Transfer grilled chicken from heat, letting proteins rest 3-5 minutes to redistribute internal moisture and maintain tenderness.
- Present chicken adorned with freshly chopped cilantro, accompanied by optional citrus wedges for enhanced aromatic garnishing and serving presentation.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help marinade adhere better and create more flavorful caramelization.
- Reserve small amount of marinade before adding raw chicken to use as a fresh sauce or drizzle after grilling.
- Reduce honey content for low-sugar diets or substitute with maple syrup for alternative sweetness.
- Use meat thermometer to guarantee precise doneness without overcooking delicate chicken breast.
- Allow extra marinating time for deeper flavor penetration, but avoid exceeding 8 hours to prevent protein breakdown.
- Create a quick glaze by reducing remaining marinade in saucepan for additional serving option.
- Consider using boneless chicken thighs for more moisture and richer taste if preferring darker meat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg