Description
Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken makes dinner feel like a Mediterranean vacation right at your table. Tender chicken marinated with zesty herbs and lemon delivers a simple, fresh meal your family will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Liquids and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons thyme, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
- Transfer your chicken into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the entire marinade mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly coated.
- Refrigerate your marinated chicken for at least 30 minutes and no longer than 2 hours to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Prepare your outdoor grill, heating it to 400-425°F with clean, oiled grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. For chicken breasts, grill 5-6 minutes per side. For thighs, grill 6-8 minutes per side.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part using an instant-read meat thermometer.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean platter and let rest 5 minutes before serving. Optional: Garnish with fresh herb sprigs or lemon wedges.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe cooking without drying out.
- For gluten-free diets, confirm all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and check seasoning labels carefully.
- Fresh herbs make a significant difference, so use them when possible instead of dried herbs for brighter, more vibrant taste.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 272 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg