This delightful grilled chicken breasts dish is elevated with a tangy and sweet grapefruit glaze. Perfect for a summer barbecue, the refreshing citrus notes complement the savory chicken beautifully, creating a mouthwatering meal that's both healthy and delicious.
When preparing this recipe, you might need to take note of grapefruit zest and grapefruit juice, which are not always common pantry staples. Ensure you have fresh grapefruits on hand to extract the zest and juice. Additionally, using fresh garlic rather than pre-minced will provide a more robust flavor.
Ingredients For Grilled Chicken Breasts With Grapefruit Glaze
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the glaze.
Grapefruit zest: The outer peel of the grapefruit, grated finely for a burst of citrus aroma.
Grapefruit juice: Freshly squeezed juice gives the glaze its tangy and refreshing taste.
Cooking oil: Helps the glaze adhere to the chicken breasts while grilling.
Honey: Adds sweetness and helps to caramelize the glaze on the chicken.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the glaze.
Fresh ground black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the glaze.
Chicken breasts: The main protein, which is juicy and tender when grilled.
One reader, Haily Hooker says:
The grilled chicken breasts with grapefruit glaze were absolutely delicious! The citrusy sweetness of the glaze perfectly complemented the juicy chicken. It was easy to make and a hit with the whole family. Definitely adding this to our regular meal rotation!
Cooking Techniques for Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
How to light the grill: Ensure the grill is clean and has enough fuel. Light the grill according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically by igniting the gas or charcoal and allowing it to reach a moderately high heat.
How to zest grapefruit: Use a microplane or a fine grater to remove the outermost layer of the grapefruit peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
How to juice grapefruit: Cut the grapefruit in half and use a juicer or reamer to extract the juice, straining out any seeds or pulp if necessary.
How to brush with glaze: Use a basting brush to apply the glaze evenly over the chicken breasts while grilling, ensuring they are well-coated.
How to bring to a boil: Heat the remaining glaze in a small stainless-steel saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches a rolling boil, then maintain the boil for about 1 minute before removing from heat.
How To Make Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
A touch of honeyed grapefruit sauce gives these grilled chicken breasts a sweet glazed exterior and bright flavors for a fingerlicking dinner!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2clovesgarlic
- 1½tspgrapefruit zest,(from about ½ grapefruit)
- ½cupgrapefruit juice,(from 1 grapefruit)
- 1tbspcooking oil
- 2tbsphoney
- ½tspsalt
- ¼tspfresh ground black pepper
- 2¼lbschicken breasts,bone in
Instructions
-
Light the grill.
-
In a small bowl, combine the garlic, grapefruit zest, grapefruit juice, oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
-
Grill the chicken breasts over moderately high heat for 8 minutes, brushing frequently with the glaze.
-
Turn and cook for 10 to 12 minutes longer, brushing with more glaze until the chicken is just done. Remove.
-
In a small stainless-steel saucepan, bring the remaining glaze to a boil.
-
Boil for about 1 minute, remove from the heat and pour over the grilled chicken.
Nutrition
- Calories: 517.17kcal
- Fat: 27.15g
- Saturated Fat: 7.05g
- Trans Fat: 0.28g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.97g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 6.00g
- Carbohydrates: 12.29g
- Fiber: 0.21g
- Sugar: 11.45g
- Protein: 53.51g
- Cholesterol: 163.29mg
- Sodium: 452.47mg
- Calcium: 36.38mg
- Potassium: 626.87mg
- Iron: 2.05mg
- Vitamin A: 61.75µg
- Vitamin C: 13.27mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
To ensure the chicken breasts remain juicy and flavorful, marinate them in the grapefruit glaze for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This allows the garlic, grapefruit zest, and honey to penetrate the meat, enhancing its taste and tenderness.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Grilled Chicken Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Mince the garlic and zest the grapefruit ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use a marinade bag: Combine the glaze ingredients in a resealable bag and marinate the chicken breasts for a few hours to enhance flavor and save time.
Preheat the grill: Ensure the grill is hot and ready before you start cooking to reduce waiting time.
Double the glaze: Make extra glaze and store it in the fridge for future use, cutting down on prep time for your next meal.
Substitute Ingredients For Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze Recipe
2 cloves garlic - Substitute with 1 tsp garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a similar flavor and is a convenient alternative.
1½ tsp grapefruit zest - Substitute with 1½ tsp lemon zest: Lemon zest offers a comparable citrus aroma and flavor.
½ cup grapefruit juice - Substitute with ½ cup orange juice: Orange juice has a similar sweetness and acidity, making it a good alternative.
1 tbsp cooking oil - Substitute with 1 tbsp olive oil: Olive oil is a versatile cooking oil that can replace most other oils.
2 tbsp honey - Substitute with 2 tbsp maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and consistency.
½ tsp salt - Substitute with ½ tsp soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper - Substitute with ¼ tsp white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness but with a slightly different flavor profile.
2¼ lbs chicken breasts - Substitute with 2¼ lbs turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and can be grilled in the same manner.
Plating Ideas for Grilled Chicken with Grapefruit Glaze
Marinate the chicken: Ensure the chicken breasts are well-coated with the grapefruit glaze mixture. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Preheat the grill: Light the grill and let it reach a moderately high heat. This ensures even cooking and beautiful grill marks on the chicken breasts.
Grill with precision: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 8 minutes, brushing frequently with the grapefruit glaze. Turn the chicken and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, continuing to brush with the glaze until the chicken is just done.
Prepare the glaze: In a small stainless-steel saucepan, bring the remaining grapefruit glaze to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Plate with elegance: Arrange the grilled chicken breasts on a pristine white plate. Drizzle the boiled grapefruit glaze over the top for a glossy finish.
Garnish thoughtfully: Add a sprinkle of fresh grapefruit zest and a few sprigs of fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to enhance the presentation and add a pop of color.
Serve with sides: Complement the dish with a side of grilled vegetables or a light citrus salad to balance the flavors and create a complete meal.
Final touch: Finish with a light dusting of sea salt and a crack of fresh ground black pepper to elevate the taste and presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
Grill: Used to cook the chicken breasts over moderately high heat, giving them a delicious smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks.
Small bowl: Utilized to combine the garlic, grapefruit zest, grapefruit juice, oil, honey, salt, and pepper to create the glaze.
Basting brush: Essential for brushing the chicken breasts frequently with the grapefruit glaze while grilling.
Tongs: Handy for turning the chicken breasts on the grill to ensure even cooking on both sides.
Small stainless-steel saucepan: Needed to bring the remaining glaze to a boil, intensifying its flavors before pouring it over the grilled chicken.
Garlic press: Useful for mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.
Zester: Required to obtain the grapefruit zest, which adds a burst of citrus flavor to the glaze.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the grapefruit zest, oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the grapefruit juice precisely.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for preparing the garlic and zesting the grapefruit.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the garlic cloves finely.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
Let the grilled chicken breasts cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and affecting the texture of the chicken.
To store in the refrigerator, place the cooled chicken breasts in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
If you want to freeze the grilled chicken breasts, wrap each breast individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Then, place the wrapped chicken breasts in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
Frozen grilled chicken breasts can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat them, transfer the frozen chicken to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
To reheat the grilled chicken breasts, you can either microwave them or heat them in a skillet over medium heat until they are warmed through. If you're using the microwave, be sure to cover the chicken with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.
If you have leftover grapefruit glaze, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can reheat the glaze in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave before serving it over the reheated chicken breasts.
How To Reheat Leftover Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover grilled chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Brush the chicken with a thin layer of the reserved grapefruit glaze to help retain moisture. Cover the chicken loosely with another piece of foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
For a quicker reheating method, use the microwave. Place the chicken breasts in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. This will help keep the chicken moist during the reheating process. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken and the power of your microwave. Check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
If you have a bit more time and want to infuse extra flavor into your leftover grilled chicken, consider slicing it and sautéing it in a pan with a little olive oil or butter. Add a splash of the grapefruit glaze to the pan and toss the chicken until it's heated through and the glaze is slightly caramelized. This method works well if you plan to use the chicken in salads, wraps, or tacos.
For a delightful twist, transform your leftover grilled chicken breasts with grapefruit glaze into a refreshing chicken salad. Shred or chop the cold chicken and mix it with mayonnaise, diced celery, red onion, and a squeeze of fresh grapefruit juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the salad on a bed of mixed greens or as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
Interesting Trivia About Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
A unique aspect of this recipe is the use of grapefruit in both its zest and juice forms, which adds a refreshing citrus flavor to the grilled chicken breasts.
Budget-Friendly: Is Making Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze at Home Cost-Effective?
This grilled chicken breasts with grapefruit glaze recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are simple and mostly pantry staples, with the exception of the grapefruit. The chicken breasts are a versatile and affordable protein. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost in USD for a household of 4 people: $12-$15.
Is This Grilled Chicken Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The grilled chicken breasts with grapefruit glaze recipe is a relatively healthy dish with some room for improvement. Here's why:
Positives:
- Chicken breasts are a lean protein source, low in fat and high in essential amino acids
- Grapefruit provides vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants
- Honey offers some beneficial antioxidants and can be a healthier alternative to refined sugar
Negatives:
- The recipe doesn't include any vegetables or complex carbohydrates, which are important for a balanced meal
- Depending on the amount of glaze used, the dish may be higher in sugar than desired
- The cooking oil used may be a source of unhealthy fats, depending on the type
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Serve the grilled chicken with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers, to increase the fiber and nutrient content of the meal
- Opt for a healthier cooking oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, which are rich in monounsaturated fats and have anti-inflammatory properties
- Reduce the amount of honey in the glaze to lower the overall sugar content, or replace it with a natural sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- Add some fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, to the glaze for extra flavor and potential health benefits
- Consider using a salt substitute or reducing the amount of salt to make the dish more suitable for those watching their sodium intake
Editor's Opinion on Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze
This recipe offers a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors with the grapefruit glaze, enhancing the grilled chicken breasts beautifully. The use of fresh garlic and grapefruit zest adds a vibrant aroma and depth to the dish. Brushing the glaze during grilling ensures the chicken remains moist and flavorful. Boiling the remaining glaze and pouring it over the chicken at the end is a brilliant touch, intensifying the citrusy sweetness. Overall, it's a simple yet sophisticated dish that can easily impress at any dinner gathering.
Enhance Your Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze Recipe:
This recipe combines the tangy sweetness of grapefruit juice and honey with the savory flavors of garlic and black pepper. The grapefruit glaze not only enhances the taste but also keeps the chicken breasts moist and flavorful. Grilling adds a smoky depth, making this dish a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. Trust this recipe for its unique flavor profile and straightforward instructions, ensuring a delicious meal every time.
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