Grilled Lemon Chicken

This lemon garlic grilled chicken recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your proverbial back pocket after you try it once. Quick and easy but flavorful enough to impress, lemon grilled chicken is a great entree in itself, and it can also be worked into so many different recipes, from a Mediterranean pasta salad to wrap sandwiches and more.

Not counting the marinating time, this grilled lemon chicken takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and well under 15 minutes on the grill. As long as you marinate the meat ahead of time, this grilled lemon chicken recipe is perfect for those nights when you want to get dinner on the table fast but still have a meal everyone can well enjoy.

Grilled Lemon Chicken Ingredients

• Lemon juice: No surprise, this lemon chicken recipe uses a lot of lemon juice. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is ideal here, but store-bought bottled juice is perfectly OK if that’s what you have on hand.
• Olive oil: The olive oil adds flavor, helps the other marinade ingredients combine and also helps keep the chicken moist. Dried-out chicken is a common problem on the grill, but plenty of marinating time and careful management of the grill’s heat can help.
• Fresh parsley: Freshly minced parsley will give a pleasant flavor to the chicken via the marinade, and a few reserved leaves sprinkled over the top of the cooked meat can give a welcome pop of color too.
• Lemon zest: Freshly grated lemon zest is even more potent as a flavoring agent than lemon juice. Just 3 tablespoons of zest are plenty for this tangy recipe.
• Minced garlic: Make sure the garlic is truly finely minced, so its taste can mingle throughout the marinade. If need be, use a bit less than 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the minced garlic.
• Dried thyme: Thyme adds a wonderfully earthy and almost floral flavor profile to the marinade, balancing out the sharper tang of the lemon juice and lemon zest.
• Dried marjoram: Marjoram has a unique flavor profile that’s earthy and warm, almost piney, and a bit minty too. It’s also slightly sharp and bitter, and is rather like a milder, smoother version of oregano. Like the thyme, it balances the lemon taste.
• Chicken breasts: The chicken is the star here. You’ll use six boneless skinless chicken breast halves, each weighing about 6 ounces.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the marinade

In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, salt, thyme, marjoram and pepper, stirring well.

Step 2: Marinate the chicken

Pour 1/3 cup of the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag, then add the chicken. Seal the bag and turn it to coat the meat, then place it in the fridge to marinate for an hour, turning the bag at least once. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade.

Step 3: Grill the chicken

Drain and discard the marinade from the bag. Grill the chicken, covered, over medium heat for five to seven minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°F internally. Baste the meat occasionally with the reserved marinade as it cooks.

Grilled Lemon Chicken Variations

• Try it with chicken thighs: You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe. In fact, they’re easier for beginner grillers, because they’re harder to overcook.
• Add different herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like basil or tarragon would be delicious with this grilled lemon chicken. You can also add red pepper flakes if you like heat, or some paprika for a smoky taste without the spice.
• Cook it in the pan: You can follow this same recipe and cook the chicken in a pan instead of on the grill. Ideally, you’ll use a good cast-iron pan for stovetop cooking.

How to Store Grilled Lemon Chicken

Let the chicken cool to room temperature, then promptly refrigerate it in a covered container or airtight baggie and use it within three days.

Can you freeze grilled lemon chicken?

Yes, you can freeze this lemon chicken for two to three months in an airtight bag or freezer-safe container. It’s best to thaw cooked frozen chicken in the fridge.

Grilled Lemon Chicken Tips

How can you avoid drying out the lemon chicken while grilling?

Be careful not to overcook the chicken. Because chicken breasts are naturally low in fat, they tend to dry out more easily. So keep a careful eye on the grill, and don’t cook the chicken any more than necessary, checking the internal temperature several times and marinating the meat often. Also, make sure your grill is not so hot that flames are licking the meat.

What other ingredients can you add to grilled lemon chicken for more flavor?

Different herbs can change the flavor profile, as noted, as can pairing this meat well with other foods. Make a classic Mediterranean recipe by adding chopped roasted red peppers, cubed feta cheese and olives, or make extra marinade to toss with chilled pasta as a side.

What can I use leftover lemon chicken for?

This chicken is great in all sorts of dishes, so think of leftovers as the base for new dishes, like soups, wraps, salads, gyros and more. Any dish that uses chicken meat and needs a pop of flavor will benefit.