Description
Whipping up Mediterranean Herb Crusted Grilled Chicken brings fresh Mediterranean flavors straight to your dinner table. Tender chicken gets a fragrant herb coating that turns your weeknight meal into a delightful culinary escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Supporting Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced fine
Instructions
- Create a flavor-packed marinade by whisking 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl.
- Transfer your 4 chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag and pour the entire marinade over them. Gently massage the chicken to ensure every surface gets coated with herbs and seasonings.
- Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours, allowing the herbs to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Heat your outdoor grill to 400°F. Clean the grates thoroughly and brush them with a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Discard the remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
- Place chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, carefully monitoring to achieve beautiful golden-brown grill marks.
- Check that the internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F using a meat thermometer. This ensures your chicken is perfectly safe and juicy.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean plate. Let it rest for 5 minutes, which helps redistribute the juices and keeps the meat tender.
- Slice chicken against the grain and serve immediately with a fresh lemon wedge for an extra burst of brightness.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the herb mixture for at least 2 hours, which allows the herbs and lemon to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked, juicy chicken without drying out the meat.
- Pat the chicken dry before grilling to help create a beautiful golden-brown crust that seals in the Mediterranean herb flavors.
- For a lower-carb or gluten-free option, this marinade works wonderfully with other proteins like fish or tofu, giving you versatile meal options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg