Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Couscous
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in lemon and herbs, served over fluffy couscous with a side of roasted vegetables. This mediterranean-inspired grilling (mediterranean) ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken breasts, lemon juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, fresh thyme
- 1 tsp, fresh rosemary
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup, diced carrots
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 1 medium, diced bell peppers
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Marinate chicken breasts for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a pot, bring 1 cup couscous and 1.5 cups boiling water to a boil. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Step 4: Toss carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until tender.
- Step 5: Serve grilled chicken over couscous, topped with roasted vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Couscous take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Lemon-Herb Chicken with Couscous?
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 Lemon-Herb Chicken with Couscous?
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 Lemon-Herb Chicken with Couscous for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
What goes well with Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Couscous?
Mediterranean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
