Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Hummus (Printable Version)

Tender grilled chicken paired with creamy hummus and fresh tabbouleh bursting with herbs and flavor.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly with marinade. Cover bowl and refrigerate for minimum 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
02 - Place bulgur in a bowl and pour 1 cup boiling water over it. Cover and allow to soak for 15 to 20 minutes until tender, then fluff with a fork. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped parsley, mint, diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, and sliced green onions. Add the softened bulgur, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - In a food processor, combine drained chickpeas, tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and salt. Blend until smooth consistency is achieved, adding cold water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach desired texture. Transfer to serving bowl and drizzle lightly with additional olive oil.
04 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from refrigerator and grill for 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Allow cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into serving portions.
05 - Arrange sliced chicken on serving plates alongside portions of hummus and tabbouleh. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken stays juicy because the marinade actually works—cumin and smoked paprika create depth while lemon keeps everything bright and tender.
  • You're making three components that actually belong on the same plate instead of feeling like separate dishes forced together.
  • It's the kind of meal that feels fancy enough for guests but casual enough for a weeknight, with zero pretension.
02 -
  • Pounding out your chicken breasts to an even thickness sounds tedious, but it's the difference between some pieces drying out while others are still cooking—place them between plastic wrap or in a bag and use the flat side of a meat mallet or even a rolling pin.
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned chickpeas; that starchy liquid is why store-bought hummus sometimes tastes grainy instead of silky smooth.
  • Tabbouleh is better served chilled or at room temperature, so prep it before you grill the chicken and let it sit in the refrigerator while everything else comes together.
03 -
  • Slice the chicken against the grain instead of with it—this sounds technical but just means looking at which direction the muscle fibers run and cutting perpendicular to them, which makes every bite more tender.
  • Make the hummus and tabbouleh ahead of time and keep them separately covered in the refrigerator; they actually taste better the next day once the flavors have settled, so this is meal prep that gets better with time.
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