Low-Carb Mediterranean Grilled Chicken

This low-carb Mediterranean grilled chicken is the perfect grilling recipe. Simple and fresh ingredients help to create this delicious dish!

LOW-CARB MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

Before you try to make this recipe, make sure you have the following ingredients on hand.

• 2 lbs chicken breast, tenderloins, or thighs
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tbsp garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tsp paprika
• fresh ground black pepper
• pink Himalayan salt

When you have these, you’re set and ready to go!

HOW TO MAKE LOW-CARB MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED CHICKEN

1. If using chicken thighs (boneless and skinless) or chicken tenderloins, skip to step 3
2. Otherwise, if you are using chicken breasts, you’ll want to cut them in half lengthwise to make them thinner
3. Combining all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl
4. Gently mix all ingredients so all chicken is coated with the marinade
5. Using a fork, poke each piece of chicken a few times to allow the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat
6. Let marinade for at least 2 hours (less if time doesn’t allow), all day, or overnight
7. Gently stir the chicken every few hours to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed
8. Preheat your stove or grill to medium heat
9. Place the chicken (marinade and all) on (in a skillet if stove top) and cook slowly
10. Cook until chicken is cooked through
11. Remove from heat and enjoy!

THE KEY TO THE BEST MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED CHICKEN

We often hear the saying “time is of the essence.” While that may be true in most of our day-to-day lives, in cooking time is very important too.

For this recipe, the time the chicken spends marinating is very important. The longer you can let the chicken marinade, the better it will taste. Time allows the different flavors to seep into the chicken.

It also allows for the acidity of the lemon juice to tenderize the chicken, which will pay off come cook time.

If you don’t have a lot of time to let it marinade, that’s perfectly fine. But if you have a couple hours, all day, or overnight, you won’t be sorry for letting it sit for longer!

WHAT ABOUT USING CHICKEN THIGHS INSTEAD?

Using chicken thighs in this recipe instead of chicken breasts would be a totally acceptable substitution!

However, if you’re looking to maximize your fats and limit your protein intake (aka making this dish more keto instead of low-carb), substituting chicken thighs for breasts is a great idea.

Let’s take a look at a few difference in the two cuts of chicken in case you are having a hard time deciding which would be best for you.

THE CHICKEN THIGH VS. CHICKEN BREAST DIFFERENCE

While it might not seem like a big deal, there is actually quite a bit of difference in chicken thigh and chicken breast.

The first and most notable difference for anyone aiming to eat more fat in their diet, is that chicken thigh has a much higher fat content than breast.

In fact, thighs contain about 2x more fat than chicken breasts. They also contain a slightly (around 4g less) smaller amount of protein, helping to make them a better keto option for those aiming for certain macros.

The second difference has to do with the taste. For clarification, we aren’t suggesting that chicken breast and chicken thighs taste much different than one another, but there is a slight, yet noticeable difference in texture alone.

Due to its higher fat content, thigh meat has a juicier, sometimes considered more “soft” texture than breast meat.

This makes it great for use in a lot of Asian-inspired cuisine, since lots of Chinese dishes use thigh meat to start with.

If chicken thigh is your preferred cut of chicken for cooking, feel free to use it. It certainly won’t hurt the dish and will help make the dish more your own.

On the flip side, if chicken thigh is just not something you are able to get behind for whatever reason, using chicken breast is always a great go to!

CHOOSING A GOOD GARLIC

When it comes to cooking with garlic, you have several different options. Choosing the one that best suites you is very important.

Most importantly, however, is choosing the option that will give you the best garlic taste for the dish at hand.

Of course, the best choice for garlic is to use fresh garlic you mince yourself. This is by far the most work intensive choice, since it requires skinning the cloves and then mincing them.

However, there truly is no substitute for fresh garlic when cooking. The taste isn’t quite as strong as the type in the jar, but it is often a hint of a richer, sweeter taste.

Next on the list is the minced garlic in a jar. This garlic is often found right next to the fresh garlic, but provides a pre-minced option that is ready to use right out of the gate.

To be honest, this is the kind of garlic we use a lot, since time is often an issue.

The jar is also full of oil, which helps to keep the garlic fresher for longer. It is stored in the refrigerator for up to several weeks, and makes for an incredibly convenient source of garlic.

Jarred garlic is not quite as flavorful as fresh, but it still offers that nice garlic taste you are looking for.

And last, but not least, there is the powdered garlic option. While not the best option, it is certainly the one most people have already sitting in their cabinet or pantry.

The bad news is, powdered garlic can often have added ingredients that can work against a low-carb lifestyle. These normally include, or are limited to anti-caking agents that keep the garlic powder from sticking together.

Anti-caking agents contain carbs, though in small amounts, but are not recommended if they can be avoided.

Make sure to check whatever garlic powder you buy for added ingredients before selecting it!

WHAT SIDES GO GREAT WITH THIS DISH?

This recipe make an absolutely perfect main course that is sure to please anyone and everyone. But even the most delicious of dishes needs a great side (or two) to make it an unforgettable meal.

Here are some of our favorite sides to go with this recipe!

• Keto Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
• Low-Carb Spicy Roasted Broccoli
• Keto Cauliflower White Rice
• Keto Garlic Butter Brussel Sprouts

For more ideas, you can check out our recipe index.

TOOLS TO MAKE THIS LOW-CARB MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED CHICKEN

Click on the links to see the items used in making this recipe. You can also find these products linked in the recipe below.

• Propane Grill – Yes, yes, the age-old debate of propane versus charcoal. But, we prefer propane grills because they are quick and easy to use, requiring very little prep time to get them hot and ready to cook. A propane grill is not only a great summertime cooking tool, but it is also an investment for your outdoor cooking for years to come. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good quality grill that will last and require as little upkeep and maintenance work.

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