Grilled Chicken with Mediterranean Chickpea Salad and Lemon Herb Yogurt Sauce
This Mediterranean dish features juicy grilled herbed chicken breasts, paired with a refreshing chickpea salad full of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and olives—all tossed in a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Served with a cooling lemon herb yogurt sauce, it’s high in protein, fiber, and flavor. Ideal for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!
⏱️ Time:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
Total Time: 35–40 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
2 large chicken breasts (butterflied or pounded thin)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Chickpea Salad:
1 can chickpeas (15 oz), drained and rinsed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, chopped
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup pitted Kalamata or green olives, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or mint
Juice of ½ lemon
1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lemon Herb Yogurt Sauce:
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and coat well. Let it marinate for 15–30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).
2. Make the Yogurt Sauce:
Combine yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs in a small bowl. Mix and season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
3. Prepare Chickpea Salad:
In a large bowl, toss together chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Let it sit to absorb flavors.
4. Grill the Chicken:
Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and charred. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
5. Assemble and Serve:
Plate chickpea salad, top with sliced grilled chicken, and drizzle with yogurt sauce. Garnish with extra herbs or lemon zest.
Notes & Tips:
Swap chicken with grilled halloumi or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Add avocado or crumbled feta for extra creaminess.
Great for meal prep: store components separately and assemble when serving.
❓ frequently asked questions FAQs
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?
Yes! Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18–20 minutes or until cooked through.
Q: What can I use instead of yogurt?
Use a dairy-free coconut yogurt or a drizzle of tahini lemon sauce.
Q: Can I use canned chicken or rotisserie chicken?
Definitely! Just skip the marinade and grilling steps.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 410 kcal
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 7g
Total Fat :20g
Sodium: 400mg