Introduction
Grilled lemon herb chicken is an easy and healthy meal, which is a combination of fresh herbs, citrus flavor, and soft chicken. The light ingredients and small amount of oil used in the recipe make it an assumed healthy option of meal.
When people need to have a good and healthy meal, they opt to grill chicken. The grilling procedure improves the natural taste of the chicken and retains its juiciness. Moreover, lemon and herbs give the dish freshness which makes it even more delicious.
The other benefit of this recipe is that it is versatile. Lemon herb grilled chicken may be accompanied with vegetables, rice, salads, or roasted potatoes. Consequently, it is suitable in numerous dinner menus. This tutorial will teach you a trick on how to cook grilled lemon herb chicken with the help of straightforward ingredients and simple cooking methods.
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The health benefits of Grilled Chicken.
Grilled chicken is generally regarded as one of the best protein sources of health. Chicken breast is also rich in protein and low in fat levels. Protein is also significant in terms of muscle development and energy level. Thus, one of the ways to maintain overall health is to include chicken in your diet. The other advantage of grilling is that the amount of oil added to it is very minimal.
Therefore, grilled chicken is, in most cases, not as many calories as fried food. In the meantime, herbs and lemon juice are added, without additional fat and sugar. Due to these advantages, one can use grilled lemon herb chicken as a fine choice of healthy meals.
Lemon Herb Chicken Ingredients
Simple ingredients are used in this recipe, and therefore, it has a light and fresh taste.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Optional ingredients
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon slices
- Cherry tomatoes
These are ingredients producing a light marinade which improves on the flavor of the chicken.
Preparing the Marinade
Begin by marinating the marinade in a small bowl. Add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and black pepper. Bake the mixture in a light manner until the ingredients mix. In the meantime the lemon juice aides in tenderizing the chicken with the herbs providing fragrance and taste. This marinade will add the fresh Mediterranean-style flavor to the chicken.
Marinating the Chicken
Put the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a bowl. Sprinkle the chicken with the marinade. Ensure that every piece gets covered with the mixture completely. Cover the dish and refrigerate it (30minutes). It is in the process of this time that the chicken absorbs the flavors of the herbs and lemon. Even greater length of marinating can result in even stronger flavor.
Preparing the Grill
You must preheat your grill or grill pan before cooking the chicken. Chicken grilling is best done under medium heat since the meat can cook evenly. Meanwhile, lightly coat the grill surface, so that the chicken does not stick. When the grill is hot the chicken will attain a nice golden sear.
Grilling the Chicken
Put the chicken under marination into the grill. The time taken to cook the chicken is approximately 6 to 7 minutes per side. When the surface is cooked it turns a little bit golden and grill marks are formed. At the same time the interior of the chicken is still juicy and soft. Use a thermometer where possible. The internal temperature is supposed to be 165 deg F (75 deg C). After completion of cooking, get the chicken out of the grill.
Resting the Chicken
Give the chicken that is grilled to rest or have a break of approximately five minutes then slice. This action aids in redistributing of the juices in the meat. Consequently, the chicken is not dry and tasteless. In the meantime rest also enhances the meat texture. When it is ready, cut the chicken into thin slices.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled lemon herb chicken has a good match with various side dishes. As an example, it may be accompanied by such roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or zucchini. In the meantime brown rice or quinoa forms a healthy and nutritious dish. Another ideal choice is fresh salad with olive oil dressing. The chicken is light and flavorful; hence, it can be combined with most of the healthy sides.
How to cook Chicken perfectly
Fresh lemon juice will give one the best flavor. Do not cook the chicken at a very high temperature. Give the chicken time to marinate so as to develop the flavors. Cooking is to be checked by use of a meat thermometer. Immediately rest then serve the chicken. These are the tips that assist in making tasty and juicy grilled chicken.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Failure to marinate could lead to dry chicken. The chicken can be overcooked rendering it dry. Refrigerator chicken can be cooked directly and this can lead to uneven cooking. Excessive consumption of oil can diminish the healthy value of grilling. These errors are very detrimental and need to be avoided to make the dish better.
Conclusion
Lemon herb grilled chicken is a healthy and tasty dinner meal that incorporates fresh herbs, citrus and tender chicken. The plain marinade adds extra natural flavor to the meat and makes the meal light.
Moreover, the recipe is fast and simple to cook. Due to its varieties, it goes well with most healthy side meals. This recipe will allow you to create a very good and nutritious grilled chicken dinner.
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