Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken With Mediterranean Rice Recipe

About this recipe

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Mediterranean Rice is a flavorful and nutritious lunch that blends Italian-inspired zest with the bright textures of fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs. The marinated chicken is grilled to perfection in the air fryer, delivering tender, juicy pieces. Meanwhile, the rice mixture combines hearty oats with sautéed carrots, cucumber, and parsley for a refreshing twist. Packed with 28g of protein per serving, this dish fuels your energy while keeping calories in check. Whether it's a weekday meal or a special lunch, this recipe is sure to delight your taste buds and keep you energized for the day ahead.

Ingredients

• 1 Piece Cucumber 1Pc
• 1 Kg Carrots - 1kg
• 1 Piece Red Bell Pepper, 1pcs | Gopuff
• 750 G Top-Op Table Salt Drums
• 500G Tropical Sun Basmati Rice 500g
• 100G Heera Black Pepper Powder 100g
• - Schwartz Italian Seasoning
• 350G Frohweins Chicken Breast Fillets Supremes Skinless
• 1 Lemon - 1 Each
• 1 Garlic Bulb - 1 Each
• 50G Natoora Fresh Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
• 500 ml Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500 Ml

Instructions

1. 1. Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, the juice of half the lemon, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl to make a marinade.
2. 2. Cut the chicken breast fillets (350 g in total) into 2 portions, coat evenly with the marinade and let them rest for 10 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.
3. 3. Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through with no pink.
4. 4. Meanwhile, peel and dice the cucumber and 150 g carrots into small cubes, and dice the red pepper.
5. 5. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan and sauté the diced carrots and red pepper for 5 minutes.
6. 6. Add 150 g rinsed basmati rice to the pan and stir for 1 minute to toast slightly.
7. 7. Pour in 300 ml water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes until the rice is tender and the water absorbed.
8. 8. Fluff the rice and mix in the diced cucumber and 15 g freshly chopped parsley.
9. 9. Once the chicken is cooked through, let it rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing into strips.
10. 10. Assemble the dish by plating the Mediterranean rice and topping it with the sliced grilled chicken.
11. 11. Garnish with additional parsley or a drizzle of lemon juice from the other lemon half.

How to make Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken With Mediterranean Rice

1. Marinate the chicken. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper into a marinade, coat the chicken breasts evenly and leave them to rest for 10 minutes.
2. Sauté the carrots. Meanwhile, peel and dice the cucumber and carrots into small cubes. Heat rapeseed oil in a pan and sauté the diced carrots for about 5 minutes until tender.
3. Cook the masala oats. Add the masala oats and stir for 1 minute to toast. Pour in water, bring to the boil, then simmer until the oats absorb the liquid and turn fluffy, and mix in the cucumber and chopped parsley.
4. Air fry the chicken. Cook the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once it is cooked through, let it rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing into strips.
5. Assemble and garnish. Plate the Mediterranean rice and top it with the sliced grilled chicken. Garnish with extra parsley or a drizzle of lemon juice for an extra burst of flavour.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Mediterranean Rice take to make?

About 35 minutes, split into 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking for the chicken and the grain side.

What gives Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Mediterranean Rice its flavour?

A marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mixed herbs, salt and red pepper. Letting the chicken sit in it for a short while before air frying helps the flavour cling.

How do I stop lemon herb chicken drying out in the air fryer?

Flip it halfway through and take it out as soon as it is cooked through, then let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing so the juices stay in the meat.

What can I use instead of flat leaf parsley in the side dish?

Swap it for fresh coriander or a little chopped mint. Stir it through at the end with the diced cucumber so it stays fresh and green.

What else can I serve with lemon herb chicken?

A salad of tomato, cucumber and olives, or a spoonful of garlicky yoghurt, suits the lemon and herbs. Warm pitta also works for mopping up the juices.