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Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

grilled lemon herb chicken - featured image

A quick and easy grilled chicken recipe featuring fresh lemon juice, zest, and a blend of herbs for a flavorful and juicy summer dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice (from about 2 medium lemons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, and honey or maple syrup if using. Whisk together until well blended (about 5 minutes).
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated evenly. Massage marinade into chicken gently. Seal bag or cover dish and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Do not marinate longer than 2 hours.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 204°C). If using charcoal, coals should be glowing red with a light layer of ash. Lightly oil grill grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place chicken on hot grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once. Avoid moving chicken too much to get nice grill marks. Use a meat thermometer to check for internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Total grilling time about 12-15 minutes.
  5. Rest the chicken: Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Rest for 5 minutes to let juices redistribute.
  6. Serve and garnish: Slice chicken against the grain and garnish with extra chopped parsley or lemon wedges if desired. Serve with fresh summer sides or a crisp salad.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken longer than 2 hours to avoid mushy texture. Pat chicken dry before grilling for better grill marks. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest chicken after grilling to keep it juicy. If grill gets too hot, move chicken to cooler area to prevent charring.

Nutrition

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