Mediterranean Grilled Chicken (Printable)

Juicy grilled chicken paired with creamy hummus and refreshing herb-packed tabbouleh salad bursting with flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Grilled Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Hummus

11 - 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
12 - 3 tablespoons tahini
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
17 - Salt to taste
18 - 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water

→ Tabbouleh

19 - ½ cup fine bulgur wheat (or quinoa for gluten-free option)
20 - 1 cup boiling water
21 - 2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
22 - ½ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
23 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
24 - ½ English cucumber, diced
25 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced
26 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
27 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
28 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly with marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
02 - Place bulgur wheat in a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Cover and allow to steep for 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped parsley, mint, diced tomatoes, cucumber, and green onions. Add the softened bulgur, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine and refrigerate until service.
03 - In a food processor, combine drained chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and salt. Blend until completely smooth, adding cold water one tablespoon at a time to achieve desired consistency. Transfer to a serving vessel and drizzle with additional olive oil.
04 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place marinated chicken breasts on grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
05 - Arrange sliced grilled chicken on serving plates alongside hummus and tabbouleh. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken comes out impossibly juicy because the lemon juice in the marinade works magic on the proteins while you're not even thinking about it.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, yet tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen.
  • It's naturally gluten-free friendly and works just as beautifully for dairy-free eating without any fussy substitutions.
02 -
  • Don't skip marinating the chicken—it's not extra fuss, it's the difference between ordinary and absolutely craveable.
  • Chill the tabbouleh before serving; cold salad alongside warm chicken is part of what makes this meal feel balanced and refreshing.
  • Room-temperature or slightly warm hummus tastes better than cold hummus, so pull it out of the fridge a few minutes before you plate everything.
03 -
  • Buy pre-minced garlic if you're short on time; it's not cheating, it's being realistic about a weeknight.
  • Toast your spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding them to the marinade if you want the flavors to sing even louder.
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