Description
Lemon herb grilled chicken delivers a zesty punch of flavor straight from your backyard grill. Marinated with fresh herbs and tangy citrus, this chicken recipe turns an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy meal that everyone will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Fresh Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Liquids and Oils:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Whisk ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes into a smooth, fragrant marinade.
- Place 4 chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag and pour the entire marinade over them. Seal and massage the bag to ensure every inch of chicken gets coated.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes, though letting it sit overnight will maximize flavor absorption.
- Preheat your grill to 400°F, ensuring grates are clean and lightly brushed with oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off completely.
- Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes on the first side, creating beautiful golden-brown grill marks.
- Flip chicken and cook another 6-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean platter and let it rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Slice chicken and garnish with fresh chopped herbs or a quick squeeze of lemon if desired.
Notes
- Get the best flavor by marinating the chicken overnight, which allows the herbs and lemon to deeply penetrate the meat.
- For a tender result, let the chicken come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before grilling to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid cross-contamination by using separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked chicken, and always clean surfaces thoroughly.
- Gluten-free diets can follow this recipe exactly, and those wanting less heat can simply omit the red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-16 minutes (6-8 minutes per side)
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg