Grilled Mediterranean Chicken – A Cozy Kitchen

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Grilled Mediterranean Chicken – A Cozy Kitchen

This Grilled Mediterranean Chicken is a perfectly juicy, super flavorful chicken recipe that is easy to throw together on a weeknight. Inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, with sweet and fruity paprika, tangy and smooth yogurt, bold and peppery oregano, fresh parsley, lemon, and lots of garlic, this chicken dish has been on repeat lately in my house. I like to serve it with fluffy pita, a fresh Israeli salad, and creamy hummus. 

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken

It feels like everyone on the internet is somewhere in the Mediterranean and I’ve been dreaming about taking a summer trip over too. Since a trip to the Mediterranean is not in the cards this summer, I wanted to transport myself with a dish inspired by that dreamy locale. 

With summery vibes, this Grilled Mediterranean Chicken is the perfect way to channel the bright and bold flavors of the Mediterranean.

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Breast on Grill Pan

WHAT ARE MEDITERRANEAN FLAVORS

When I think of the Mediterranean, there are a few regions or areas that come to mind. The South of Italy, the South of France, Spain, Greece, and Morocco are the places I think of and all of these cultures use a ton of olive oil. I drew inspiration from all of these areas pulling in the garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, lemon, and even yogurt to infuse tons of flavor into each bite. 

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Marinade

TIPS ON GRILLING CHICKEN BREAST

There are a few things you can do to maximize your grilling efforts. 

  1. Be sure to preheat your grill to around medium or 375 degrees F well before you set your meat on it. I like to clean it before preheating and preheat it for at least 10 minutes to ensure it’s evenly heated.
  2. Close your lid when while your chicken is cooking. This allows for even heating. If the lid is off/open, the heat escapes, meaning it will take longer for your chicken breast to cook. 
  3. Cook for 6-9 minutes on each side. You can use your tongs to check if it’s time to flip by gently trying to flip–if it doesn’t easily release, it’s not time to flip. If you notice that your chicken is charring too quickly, simply reduce the heat a bit. 
  4. Don’t flip your chicken too many times. If you only flip it once, you’re gonna have great grill marks. 
  5. 165 degrees F is the internal temp that the USDA deems cooked when it comes to chicken, so use a thermometer to check the internal temp. 
  6. Chilling/resting time is important. I like to let my chicken rest in a bowl for 10 minutes, covered with a plate. This makes for the juiciest chicken breast!
Chicken in Mediterranean Marinade
Sliced Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Breast

HOW TO MAKE GRILLED MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN

  1. Make the marinade by whisking together the greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, parsley, and dried oregano . Set aside a bit to brush on at the end of grilling. Add the chicken and make sure it’s well coated. Marinate in the fridge for 3 hours. 
  2. Heat your grill to medium. Add the chicken to the grill for 7 to 9 minutes on each side with the lid on. Or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Heat the reserved marinade in a small saucepan while the chicken is cooking. 
  3. Once the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F, rest the chicken in a bowl, covered, for 10 minutes. Brush on some sauce and slice and serve! 
Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Breast with Sides

TIPS AND TRICKS

  • Can I make this in the oven? You can also bake this in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F. If you do, you won’t get those beautiful char marks, but it’ll still be good!
  • Can I make these on skewers? Yes! Cut them into chunks and add them to skewers.
Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Plate

If you make this Grilled Mediterranean Chicken, let me know on Instagram!

Looking for more recipes? Here are a few I love: