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Healthy Summer Cutting Phase BBQ Recipes for High Protein Meals

Healthy Summer Cutting Phase BBQ - featured image

A flavorful, high-protein grilled chicken recipe perfect for summer cutting phases, combining a tangy Greek yogurt marinade with smoky spices for juicy, lean BBQ meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • Lemon wedges (for squeezing over after grilling, optional)
  • Low-fat tzatziki or cucumber yogurt sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, sea salt, and olive oil (optional). Whisk until smooth and well blended.
  2. Cut the chicken: Trim any excess fat from chicken breasts or thighs. Cut into 1.5-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
  3. Marinate the chicken: Add chicken pieces to the marinade bowl, stirring gently to coat every piece thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-3 hours.
  4. Soak wooden skewers (if using) in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent charring.
  5. Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400Β°F or 204Β°C).
  6. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving space between each piece for even heat circulation.
  7. Grill the skewers for about 4-5 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs, until nicely charred and internal temperature reaches 165Β°F (74Β°C).
  8. Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with lemon wedges and low-fat tzatziki if desired.

Notes

Marinate chicken longer (up to 4 hours) for deeper flavor and tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Soak wooden skewers before grilling to prevent burning. Let chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy. If no grill is available, broil in oven or use air fryer with adjusted cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy BBQ, high protein, grilled chicken, cutting phase, summer recipes, lean protein, Greek yogurt marinade, low carb, gluten free