Grilled Chicken with Dijon and Meyer Lemon

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Low Fod Map
Health score
43%
Grilled Chicken with Dijon and Meyer Lemon
155 min.
4
1225kcal

Suggestions

Transform your outdoor cooking game with this exquisite Grilled Chicken with Dijon and Meyer Lemon, a dish that perfectly balances bold flavors with a touch of citrus elegance. By removing the backbone and splitting whole chickens, you get larger, more impressive halves that cook evenly and develop a stunningly crispy, golden-brown skin when grilled to perfection. This recipe is a true celebration of simple yet sophisticated ingredients, where the tangy kick of Dijon mustard harmonizes beautifully with the floral, aromatic notes of fresh Meyer lemons and earthy rosemary.

What makes this preparation truly special is the careful marination process. Allowing the chicken to rest in a rich mixture of lemon zest, juice, mustard, and red pepper flakes for up to two hours ensures that every bite is infused with zesty brightness and subtle heat. The result is not just a meal, but an experience that elevates any dinner table, whether you are hosting a summer barbecue or enjoying a cozy evening indoors. Plus, it is thoughtfully crafted to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and low FODMAP, making it accessible for those with dietary restrictions without compromising on flavor or quality.

Grilling the chicken skin-side down first is key to achieving that restaurant-quality texture, locking in juices while creating a shatteringly crisp exterior. As the chicken cooks, you can simultaneously caramelize fresh lemon halves right on the grill, adding an extra layer of aromatic complexity to the plate. Serve these succulent chicken halves alongside their grilled lemon companions for a burst of freshness that cuts through the richness of the mustard glaze. With a moderate calorie count and a high protein profile, this dish is not only delicious but also satisfying and balanced, proving that healthy eating can be incredibly flavorful and indulgent.

Ingredients

  • pound chickens split
  • cup dijon mustard 
  • servings kosher salt 
  •  lemon zest juiced halved
  • servings olive oil extra-virgin
  • teaspoon pepper flakes red crushed
  • tablespoons rosemary leaves finely chopped

Equipment

  • bowl
  • oven
  • grill
  • kitchen thermometer
  • grill pan

Directions

  1. Watch how to make this recipe.
  2. Combine the lemon juice, zest, mustard, rosemary and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the mustard mixture to loosen it. Paint this mixture generously all over the chicken and let sit for up to 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. If you have any of the mustard mixture left over, save it for repainting while the chicken is cooking.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium (you want the chicken to cook on the grill as long as possible without burning to develop lovely crispy, tasty skin).
  5. Brush off any crud on the grill with a wire grill brush and run an oiled towel over the grill to pick up any bits of loosened crud. Season the chicken lightly with salt and arrange gently on the grill,skin side down, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.If the chicken flares up, move it to a cooler part of the grill; you don't want sooty film on the chicken (it won't taste good).
  6. Once the chicken has started to brown and crisp, it's a good idea to close the grill to allow the heat to cook the chicken from all directions. You want to cook the chicken skin side down for a total of 10 to 12 minutes, then turn it over and cook it for another 10 to 12 minutes. If you're using a grill pan, you can transfer the chicken to a 375 degree F oven when it's ready to flip so it can finish cooking. If there is leftover mustard mixture, use it to paint the skin of the chicken on the second side. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees F.
  7. When the chicken is nearly done, place the lemon halves on the grill cut side down and leave them alone until brown and caramelized, 5 to 6 minutes. (These will smell great while they're grilling!)
  8. Remove the chicken from the heat and serve with the grilled lemon for extra lemony goodness.

Nutrition Facts

Calories1225kcal
Protein29.03%
Fat69.4%
Carbs1.57%

Properties

Glycemic Index
31.88
Glycemic Load
0.37
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
42.086521895035%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
0.21mg
Hesperetin
0.28mg
Naringenin
0.01mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.04mg
Quercetin
0.01mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:1224.68kcal
61.23%
Fat:93.12g
143.26%
Saturated Fat:24.08g
150.49%
Carbohydrates:4.73g
1.58%
Net Carbohydrates:1.42g
0.52%
Sugar:0.94g
1.05%
Cholesterol:427.15mg
142.38%
Sodium:1230.25mg
53.49%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:87.66g
175.31%
Vitamin B3:32.34mg
161.7%
Selenium:78.93µg
112.76%
Phosphorus:889.12mg
88.91%
Vitamin A:4410.99IU
88.22%
Vitamin B6:1.66mg
83.05%
Vitamin B12:4.92µg
81.95%
Vitamin B2:0.9mg
52.92%
Vitamin B5:5.25mg
52.54%
Iron:8.26mg
45.89%
Zinc:6.81mg
45.41%
Folate:136.82µg
34.2%
Magnesium:127.28mg
31.82%
Potassium:1087.74mg
31.08%
Vitamin B1:0.42mg
27.83%
Manganese:0.42mg
21.08%
Copper:0.36mg
17.75%
Vitamin E:2.43mg
16.17%
Vitamin C:13.31mg
16.14%
Fiber:3.3g
13.22%
Calcium:103.86mg
10.39%
Vitamin K:9.89µg
9.42%