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Spring is in the air. Summer is quickly approaching. So for those of us trying to eat lighter and healthier, that can mean only one thing: Grilled Chicken.
To prevent boredom from setting in here is a roundup of 27 light and luscious low calorie recipes for grilled chicken, from my favorite recipe sites all with Weight Watchers Points Values to help you keep your meals sizzling all summer long.
If you are like me and prefer to grill indoors with your trusty grill pan (affiliate link) or George Foreman Indoor Grill you are in luck. All of these recipes can be grilled indoors or out. And perfectly okay with grill pans and electric grilling devices that allow me to cook indoors.
Recipe Notes
I’m kicking this collection of grilled chicken recipes off with one of my all time favorites: Ina Garten’s Grilled Lemon Chicken from her original The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.
I’ve been making this recipe forever, only skinnier. I love Ina and olive oil, but it’s pricey in more ways than one. So, if you’re watching your pocketbook and/or your Weight Watchers points, do what I do, use a whole lot less.
All you need to do is marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a bowl or zipper-lock plastic bag, let it sit in all that lemon-herb goodness and well, that’s pretty much it.
The longer you marinate the chicken in this simple combination of lemon, olive oil and herbs the more tender and flavorful it will be.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Grilled Chicken?
Now that boneless, skinless chicken breasts are zero points on WW Program, according to my calculations this now only has about 253 calories and 1 WW Point.
2 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app! (You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
Recipe Variations
- Different Meats/Fish: Chicken thighs, shrimp, swordfish, halibut, tuna, etc.
- Different Spices: Basil, rosemary, tarragon, herbs de provence would be nice.
- Zestier: Add Dijon mustard, chopped garlic, dried red pepper flakes.
- No Lemon Juice? Substitute 1/4 – 1/2 cup of vinegar for the lemon juice. Red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, etc.
- Sweeter? Add a tablespoon or two of your favorite sweetener. Honey or maple syrup are two of my favorites. Your favorite low calorie sweetener – monkfruit, erythritol, sucralose, etc. as would brown or white sugar.
If you’ve made this Easy Lemon Grilled Chicken, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, halved and skin removed (about 8 4-ounce chicken breasts)
Instructions
- Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Pour over the chicken breasts in a non-reactive bowl.
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight. (Alternatively I place the chicken and marinade in a plastic zipper-lock bag before refrigerating.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry. (Discard the marinade.)
- Heat a grill, broiler or grill pan (affiliate link) and cook the chicken breasts for 5 to 10 minutes on each side (depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts), until just cooked through.
- Serve warm, chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Different meats/fish: Chicken thighs, shrimp, swordfish, halibut, tuna, etc.
- Different spices: basil, rosemary, tarragon, herbs de provence would be nice.
- Zestier: add Dijon mustard, chopped garlic, dried red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
More Grilled Chicken Recipes from my favorite Weight Watchers sites:
Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs
(Simple Nourished Living)
176 calories | *5 PointsPlus, *3 Freestyle SmartPoints
WW Grilled Lemon Chicken Breasts with Tarragon
(Simple Nourished Living)
141 calories | *3 PointsPlus | *0 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Greek Salad
(Simple Nourished Living)
235 calories | *6 PointsPlus | *5 Freestyle SmartPoints
WW Grilled Ginger Lime Chicken
(Simple Nourished Living)
229 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *5 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Bruschetta
(SkinnyTaste)
282 calories | *7 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
Korean Grilled Chicken Breasts
(SkinnyTaste)
180 calories | *3 PointsPlus | *2 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Lettuce Slaw, Avocado and Cotija
(SkinnyTaste)
326 calories | *9 PointsPlus, *8 Freestyle SmartPoints
Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
(SkinnyTaste)
273 calories | *7 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
Cilantro Grilled Chicken Breasts
(LaaLoosh)
141 calories | *3 PointsPlus | *1 WW Freestyle SmartPoint
Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto
(Cookin’Canuck)
213 calories | *6 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
(SkinnyTaste)
147 calories | *4 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
(DashingDish)
160 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Lemon Dijon chicken Skewers
(SkinnyTaste)
164 calories | *4 PointsPlus | *1 Freestyle SmartPoint
Grilled Sriracha Barbecue Chicken
(SlenderKitchen)
210 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *5 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Pesto Wraps
(Emily Bites)
259 calories | *7 PointsPlus | *5 Freestyle SmartPoints
Honey Soy Parmesan Grilled Chicken
(DashingDish)
191 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Tenders with Chipotle Lime Yogurt
(Cookin’Canuck)
180 calories | *4 PointsPlus | *2 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Greek Chicken
(LaaLoosh)
204 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *2 Freestyle SmartPoints
Pesto Grilled Chicken
(SlenderKitchen)
236 calories | *6 PointsPlus | *2 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Chicken Zucchini and Quinoa Salad
(SlenderKitchen)
329 calories | *9 PointsPlus | *7 Freestyle SmartPoints
Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken
(HungryGirl)
220 calories | *4 PointsPlus | *0 Freestyle SmartPoints
Grilled Basil Lime Chicken
(SlenderKitchen)
202 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *1 Freestyle SmartPoint
Grilled Tandoori Chicken
(SlenderKitchen)
203 calories | *4 PointsPlus | *1 Freestyle SmartPoint
Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
(EmilyBites)
220 calories | *5 PointsPlus | *1 Freestyle SmartPoint
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
(SlenderKitchen)
232 calories | *6 PointsPlus | *4 Freestyle SmartPoints
I would like to try the Grilled Chicken, Zucchini, & Quinoa Salad first. It sounds delicious and a fairly quick fix, but filling and healthful. I love chicken in just about any way it can be fixed.
I’ve never had an indoor grill and this photo of yummy looking Foreman Grilled
Chicken is the best ad for considering one. I’m impressed with
it being – All Weather Friendly – Easy Clean-Up – and Low Calorie Healthy Meals
from this “Can Do” menu. Also, I’ve recently moved to where I can’t have an outdoor
grill.
Grilled Sriracha Barbecue Chicken sounds very good to me. I love anything with a little heat…the hotter the better. I am with you, no outside grilling. I would love to try it on an indoor grill.
The Lemon Grilled Chicken would be the first recipe I would try. My husband HATES grilling outdoors even though we have a new grill that has been used once by my son! Would love to cook it on the George Foreman Grill!
I’d make the Taco Soup. Anything and everything Mexican food for our house hold. I’ve always wanted a George Foreman grill.
Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
My husband has been asking me for a WW recipe just like this.
Looks like it’s tasty and easy to make.
Can’t wait to try this.
This recipe is my Number Two. Peanut Sauce is almost like having dessert with
the entree. Powdered Peanut Butter is a pantry staple for the best reason – DELICIOUSNESS!
I would make the Thai chicken skewers with satay sauce. Actually all of those chicken recipes seem tempting to me.
I would make the Korean Chicken Breasts. I love the flavor of Asian cooking and this recipe looks easy and is low in WW points.
Grilled chicken bruschetta. I love bruscheta and using chicken instead of bread is such a great idea! I am always looking for low carb meals 6 Smart Points is awesome, protein is superb and sugar 0.5 WOW! What a great combo.
I would make the Grilled Ginger Lime Chicken,ginger is one of my favorite spices! Plus Lime always makes me think of summer. Maybe enjoy a margarita with this chicken on my patio! I live in an apt and we aren’t allowed to have outdoor grills!