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Easy Juicy Grilled Chicken Lemon Herbs Recipe Perfect for Summer BBQs

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A quick and easy grilled chicken recipe featuring fresh lemon juice and herbs for a juicy, flavorful dish perfect for summer BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Juice and zest of 2 medium fresh lemons
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped thyme, rosemary, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help marinade stick and promote browning.
  3. Place chicken in the bowl or a resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over, coating all pieces. Let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours. Do not marinate longer than 2 hours.
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 205°C). Clean and oil grates to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill chicken breasts for 5–7 minutes on the first side without moving to develop char marks. Flip and grill for another 5–6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Transfer chicken to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
  7. Slice against the grain and garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken longer than 2 hours to avoid mushy texture from lemon acidity. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Flip chicken only once to keep it juicy and get good grill marks. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to a cooler part of the grill. For smoky flavor without charcoal, add soaked wood chips to gas grill. Rest chicken after grilling to redistribute juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, lemon herbs, summer BBQ, easy chicken recipe, juicy grilled chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken