Grilled Citrus-Honey Chicken with Spiced Chickpea Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender grilled chicken marinated in a bright citrus-honey glaze, served alongside a warm spiced chickpea and vegetable salad. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe (high protein, gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, fresh orange juice, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 3 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil to form the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours to soak up the flavors.
  3. Step 3: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is nicely charred.
  4. Step 4: While the chicken grills, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped red onion and 1 diced medium red bell pepper, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas to the skillet, along with 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, and salt to taste. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas are warm and spices fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp lemon juice to brighten the salad.
  7. Step 7: Serve the grilled chicken breasts over a bed of the warm spiced chickpea salad for a balanced and flavorful meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Honey Chicken with Spiced Chickpea Salad take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Citrus-Honey Chicken with Spiced Chickpea Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Honey Chicken with Spiced Chickpea Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Citrus-Honey Chicken with Spiced Chickpea Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Grilled Citrus-Honey Chicken with Spiced Chickpea Salad high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.