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Sweet and Savory Citrus Grilled Chicken

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Sweet and Savory Citrus Grilled Chicken

One of the things on my summer bucket list each year is to grill outside. It’s fun, delicious, and gives me a break from the hot kitchen! This grilled citrus chicken recipe is a great addition to the grilling repertoire. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor that the whole family loves.

Why Sweet and Savory?

The combination of sweet citrus and honey with the savory flavors of herbs and spices give this dish the classic combination that everyone loves. It turns out there is a scientific reason for this! According to a Delish article, researchers have discovered that salt enhances the absorption of the sugar in a food, making the combination of biological benefit to the body.

Chefs also find that flavor layering (which is what you do when you add more than one flavor to a dish) is a great way to make the meal more satisfying.

Tips for Marinating Chicken

Some people have a concern about whether grilling food is safe. But there are many things you can do to reduce or eliminate any risk, including marinating your food! Here are some tips for great marinating:

  • Marinate chicken in the refrigerator.
  • Flip or stir meat at least once while marinating.
  • Never use marinade that has had raw meat in it. If you want to save some as a dipping sauce separate it before adding the meat to marinade. You can also bring marinade to a boil to kill any bacteria.
  • Add chicken and marinade to a non-reactive container. Stay away from metal and use glass instead (plastic will also work).
  • To avoid flare-ups on the grill, allow the marinade to drip off the chicken before cooking.

A great marinade has a combination of an acid and a fat plus the herbs and spices you choose. The fat helps flavors absorb into the meat and the acid helps tenderize and flavor the meat. If you want to adapt this recipe, just remember that the acids (citrus) and fats (olive oil) are important! Marinating chicken is an easy way to add lots of flavor and make a dish really pop.

Want More? Try These Grilling Recipes

Grilling is a staple of summer meals. Whether it’s too hot to cook inside, or you’re feeding a crowd, grilling is fun and functional! Here are some recipes to get you started:

Add a garden salad and you have a delicious meal that doesn’t heat up the house.

Grilled Citrus Chicken Recipe (Sweet and Savory)

Grill a delicious citrus and herb marinated chicken. Perfect for salads and tacos.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Calories 253kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Zest and juice the oranges, lemons, and limes.
  • In a medium size bowl, combine the orange, lemon, and lime juice and zest.
  • Whisk in the coriander, pepper, onion salt, parsley, basil, olive oil, and honey.
  • Remove about ¼ cup of the mixture and save for later.
  • Add the pounded chicken to the remaining marinade and make sure it is evenly coated.
  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill to about 400°F (high heat).
  • Cook the chicken on the preheated grill until cooked through, basting every few minutes with the remaining marinade.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Grilled Citrus Chicken Recipe (Sweet and Savory)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 253 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 521mg23%
Potassium 577mg16%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 145IU3%
Vitamin C 50.2mg61%
Calcium 45mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

This chicken is delicious on top of salads or wrapped in a tortilla with homemade guacamole.

What is your favorite way to grill chicken?

Sources

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

One response to “Sweet and Savory Citrus Grilled Chicken”

  1. Beth Avatar

    Can this chicken be cooked in the oven instead of the grill? If yes, what temp and how long. Thanks!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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