Mojito Chicken On The Grill

I love cooking on the grill when the weather is nice, (which is most of the year here in Southern California), and am constantly looking for new marinades for chicken or shrimp.  This Mojito Style Marinade would work well for either.  I use chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) but you can use chicken breasts.  I use jumbo raw, de-veined, shelled shrimp.  This marinade will be plenty to handle 6 servings of chicken or shrimp.  (1 breast each, two thighs each, 4 ounces shrimp each)

Ingredients: (Protein Source)

• 6 Chicken Breasts
  or
• 12 Chicken Thighs
  or
• 1 1/2 pounds of Shrimp - raw, shelled, de-veined

Ingredients: (Mojito marinade)

• 1/2 cup Lime Juice
• 1/4 cup Rum (Or, if you must - Red Wine Vinegar can be substituted)
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup Finely Chopped Mint Leaves
• 1/4 cup Splenda
• 1 tablespoon Grated Lime Zest
• 1 Clove Fresh Garlic Minced
• 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• Lime Slices For Garnish
• Mint Leaves For Garnish

Directions:

1. Whisk together all of the ingredients above with the exception of the lime and mint for garnish
2. In a 1 gallon zip loc bag place either 6 chicken breasts, 12 chicken thighs, or 1 1/2 pounds of raw, shelled, de-veined shrimp
3. Add the marinade to the zip loc bag and seal and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
   1. NOTE: do not marinate overnight because lime juice will “cook” and break down the chicken or shrimp
4. Once marinated place the chicken or shrimp on the grill and cook 5-10 minutes on each side until done
5. Remove from grill and serve garnished with lime slices and mint sprigs

Nutrition:  The entire recipe of marinade is about

• 50 calories to each serving of chicken or shrimp.
  plus
• 124 calories/26 grams protein per each 4 ounce chicken breast
  or
• 164 calories/27.2 grams protein for two 2.4 ounce chicken thighs
  or
• 120 calories/23 grams protein for four ounces of jumbo shrimp
  
  

Pro-Tip:  I would probably grill fresh corn that I have sprayed with olive oil, (using my Misto) sprinkled with kosher salt, pepper and some chili powder to serve with this.  1 ear of corn is about 60 calories/2 grams protein