Charcoal Grilled Lemon Oregano Chicken with Feta Brine
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 cups warm water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare the Feta Brine
- In a medium bowl, dissolve the crumbled feta cheese into 2 cups of warm water. Stir until the cheese is mostly broken down, creating a cloudy brine.
- Submerge the chicken breasts in the feta brine, ensuring they are fully covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours for a deeper flavor.
2. Marinade Preparation
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Set aside for marination.
3. Prepare the Charcoal Grill
- Light the charcoal and allow it to burn until the coals are covered with a light gray ash, which should take approximately 25-30 minutes. Arrange the coals for indirect grilling by pushing them to one side of the grill to create a hot and cooler side.
4. Marinate the Chicken
- After brining, remove the chicken breasts, rinse off excess brine, and pat dry with paper towels. Place the chicken in a shallow dish and pour the prepared lemon-oil marinade over them. Ensure each piece is well-coated. Allow the chicken to marinate as the grill heats up.
5. Grill the Chicken
- Place the marinated chicken breasts over the cooler side of the grill to gradually cook through without direct flame contact. Grill for about 5-6 minutes on each side.
- Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, move them over the hot side of the grill for 1-2 minutes on each side to create a beautiful sear and enhance the smoky flavor.
6. Serve
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Preparation & Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: PT2H
2 hours
- Cooking Time: PT1H
1 hour
Total Time
- PT3H
3 hours
Type of Dish
- Dinner
Keywords
- Charcoal grilled chicken
- Lemon chicken
- Feta brine
- Oregano marinade
- Easy chicken recipe
- Dinner recipe
- Grilled chicken
- BBQ chicken
- Summer grilling
- Mediterranean chicken
Recipe Yield
- Feeds 4 adults
Calories
- Total Calories: 1,200
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