Cumin and Citrus Marinated Chicken
Wow…it’s been a while since I’ve posted any recipes, huh? Hopefully, this will mark the beginning of a comeback into the foodblogosphere!
Southwestern flavors, summer grillin’. It’s been hotter than demons around here this summer, which means lots of grilling to keep the house cool. After a while, though, it seems like we eat the same thing over and over. So, I went digging into my old recipes and found this one, revamped it some and wondered why on Earth I haven’t made it recently. It’s really quick and easy, too. Paired with a little side of rice and a white bean salad, this was a perfect summer lunch. The chicken is great this way, but would also be great on a salad, or in fajitas, or even chopped up for nachos.
Chicken breasts on the grill can be a tricky sort of business, I usually wind up overcooking them for fear of contracting salmonella, so they tend to be dry. Not these, though! The citrus in the marinade really keeps the meat juicy. I think I figured out the trick to not over-grilling them, too…sear the breasts on both sides over fairly high heat, then reduce the heat to low and raise them up higher for the remainder of the cooking time.
Ingredients (for 6-8):
2 pounds (1 kilo) whole, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
juice of 2 lemons
juice of 1 orange
1 red onion, minced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
5 cloves garlic, minced (or more)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
2 tablespoons chili powder
cayenne pepper to taste
salt and pepper
Preparation:
Mix together marinade ingredients in a large bowl or Tupperware.
Add in chicken and coat with marinade.
Cover and refrigerate for about an hour, turning chicken periodically.
Heat grill to fairly high heat and sear chicken on both sides (about 2 minutes per side).
Reduce heat to low and place chicken on upper rack to cook through. This should take about 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken.
To serve, top with cheese, sour cream and lettuce.
I have the same issue with cooking chicken so I leave it to the hubs. That chicken sounds so great
Yum!! That looks amazing! Is that sour cream in your pic or something else?
Welcome back Nik we have missed you. Great comeback recipe. I knwo you have been enjoying a summer of beach excursions in the islands….sigh..
Coming back with a bang, hey!! Wow, what a recipe!!! We have missed you so!!!
Welcome back, Nikki! This looks delicious. I hope to see more posts from you!
Nikki!! Im so happy!!! You come back again I missed you a lot!!!! hurrah!!!
Lovely recipe and beauty pictures as always, kissess,
bienvenida cariño, gloria
i’ve missed you, nikki, and your gorgeous, delicious food. i’m crazy about the presence of orange in this–great plate!
Nikki!!! Yay!!!
Hi everybody! Thank you all so much for such a warm welcome back!
I’ve missed you all, too.
Molli, that’s actually fat free plain yogurt and low cal cheese (I’m trying to lighten up a little), but yeah, sour cream would work, too.
Thanks so much for your sweet comments, I really appreciate them.
This looks wonderful! I love those flavors together, and yogurt…mmm…
Making this tonight. Looks delicious!
I’m so glad you are back! I don’t know that I’ve ever posted a comment before, but I have read and enjoyed your blog and your wonderful recipes for quite some time! Welcome back!
Welcome back, indeed! You were missed! I’ve done something similar for bone-in chicken, that I’ll post about in the near future, but I never thought of doing something like this for grilled chicken breast. Yum!
Ooooh, nice way to make a comeback! Looks awesome, as usual!
Hope we see more from you!
Hi Nikki– been a while, so just dropping by to let you know I’m alive.
Starting to get cold here, which is good soup weather. Made some pozole a few weeks ago– everyone seems to like it that tries it, so I must be doing something right. Would love to see some more soup recipes.
Hi Nikki……….Like everyone else, REALLY missed your presence……..I was beginning to get worried something serious had happened between you and the nosy neighbour, and I bet I wasn´t the only one! I checked every so often to see if you were back and just resigned myself to you being a “desaparecida” and thinking my kitchen (and me) will be all the worse for you not being around. I checked this morning and THERE YOU WERE!!!!!!!!!!! Great that you´re back.
Loadsalove
Colleen (vecina de Tenerife)
Great recipe. Thank you so much for posting.
I thought you were making a comeback?!
We are still patiently waiting for more Canary Girl recipes!
Looks and sounds great. This recipe was worth waiting for.
Nikkiii donde estás cariño!!! I missed so much, I hope you are well my friend , huggssssss gloria
come on baby!!! besoosssssss
Wait a sec, what happened?? A nosy neighbor ruined her blog? That is so sad!!!
So much for this recipe marking your triumphant return to the blogosphere. I’ve been somewhat absent as well…hope all is fine in your world.
Where did the General Tso’s Chicken recipe go? It was delicious!!!
Looks delicious … great marinade!
I just came across your blog. There are so many great recipes here! This marinate chicken looks sooo good!!
It’s really my first time to see your blog but welcome back! this recipe looks great, might try this out myself next time. thanks for sharing! I sure will be coming back to your blog for more
My name is Sarah and I am a classical singer and teacher in Kansas City. This is an ADORABLE blog. My colleague told me about it when we were discussing food and blogs, instead of teaching bratty music students.
I hope it’s okay for me to stop by every once in a while and get some cooking inspiration!
Love your funny writing too!
Oh, and I’m getting fatter too, for the same delicious reason. Wine. And I LOVE IT. You should leave a bottle of wine on her doorstep, thanking her for the compliment.
Hello Nikki,
I love the combo – chicken, rice and white beans – yummyyy! I would love to come and visit some more and see more of your cooking.
Love
Kathy
I LOVE cumin with chicken! this dish is wonderful!
Hi Nikki,
I am from Minnesota, too! I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1988. Then I got married and we have since lived in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle area and Boise, Idaho) and now we live in Virginia. I love your blog and hope you come back to the web. You have a delightfully engaging style, beautiful photography and yummy recipes!
Where did you go? Come baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
Looks like your public need you Nikki…….
When i see the first picture ,i thought it was toasted bread.This marinated chicken must be delicious.
That chicken looks ungodly good. I love the combination of cumin and citrus. Sounds tasty!
Sadly I think Canary Girl flew away.