Description
Lemon Herb Chicken brings zesty Mediterranean flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum taste. Tender grilled chicken marinated in fresh herbs and tangy citrus creates a simple yet delicious meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Liquid Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1.5 teaspoons onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Whisk ⅓ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and all spices in a large freezer bag until completely blended.
- Add 1½ lbs chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 12 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate your chicken deeply.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator 15-30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
- For grilling, heat grates to 400°F and clean thoroughly with a wire brush.
- Place marinated chicken on preheated grill, cooking 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean plate and let rest 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- If using stovetop, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and reduce heat to medium.
- Cover skillet and cook another 5-7 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- For oven method, preheat to 425°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Place drained chicken in prepared dish and bake 16-18 minutes until internal temperature hits 165°F.
Notes
- Always let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the herbs and lemon to penetrate the meat and enhance flavor.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F without overcooking, which keeps the meat juicy and safe to eat.
- For gluten-free or low-carb diets, swap out any marinades with wheat-based ingredients and use alternative herbs and spices that complement the chicken.
- If grilling isn’t possible, the stovetop or oven methods work perfectly and still deliver delicious, tender chicken with the same herb and lemon profile.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 303 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 353 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg