Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken
If you're looking for a new go-to grilled chicken recipe, this Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is IT! This recipe is full of so much flavor from the fresh lemon juice and zest, fresh garlic, and fresh OR dried herbs. Bonus: it can be a freezer meal, meaning you can prep this way ahead of time, and pull it out of the freezer for an easy weeknight meal option.
Grilled chicken can either be really good or really bad, ya feel me? It's either super juicy and flavorful, or chewy and overcooked. I hate to admit this, but both versions of grilled chicken have come from my grill. This recipe results in the most tender and juicy grilled chicken, which is really what we all want when we grill chicken, right?!
Ingredients in Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - this recipe really works with any cut of chicken, but I like using chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
Olive Oil
Lemon Juice - fresh squeezed! I usually get ⅓ cup from 2 lemons.
Lemon Zest - adding lemon zest enhances the lemon flavor in this grilled chicken recipe.
Fresh Garlic - fresh minced garlic gives this chicken a ton of flavor.
Dried Herbs - you can use fresh or dried herbs, but I typically use dried because that's what I usually have on hand.
Salt and Pepper
How to Make Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken
This recipe is so simple to make. To start, zest and juice the lemons. I find it's easiest to zest the lemon first and then juice it.
Next, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper, in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Add the marinade to the chicken breasts in a tuppeware or Ziploc bag. At this point, you can either marinate for 30 minutes to 8 hours, or place in the freezer until you're ready to cook it. If freezing it, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw overnight prior to cooking.
Once you're ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grease the grates. Once the grill is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness. I HIGHLY recommend using a meat thermometer when grilling, especially when grilling chicken, to ensure proper temperature of the meat. You want the chicken to reach 165 degrees F.
Then, serve! I love grilling this chicken for salads, or as a main dish with Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, potato salad, or pasta salad!
Like this recipe? Check these out, too!
Grilled Caprese Chicken Sandwich
Grilled Lemon Herb Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 chicken breast halves)
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large tupperware or plastic Ziploc.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, rosemary, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Add the lemon garlic herb marinade to the chicken, making sure to coat each chicken breast in the marinade.
- Marinate at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours. Alternately, you can freeze the chicken and marinade at this point. If you freeze it, be sure to remove it from the freezer the evening prior to cooking, to thaw in fridge.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grill grates.
- Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until an internal thermometer reads 165 degrees F. Because of the difference in sizes of chicken breasts, I highly recommend using a meat thermometer to determine when the chicken breasts are done cooking - it's the most accurate way!
- Serve and enjoy!
Perhaps a question that reveals I'm a grill novice: what do you use to grease the grill grates and how?