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Marinated in a garlicky lemon blend, this grilled chicken recipe is not only delicious but incredibly easy to make. Ideal for summer grilling, this simple yet bright recipe will quickly become a staple in your household.
After you’ve made this grilled lemon chicken, make sure to check out some of my other favorite grilling recipes, such as grilled scallops, grilled lobster, and grilled flank steak. Each one is packed with flavor and perfect for your next barbecue!
Grilled Chicken Recipe
A family favorite, this grilled lemon chicken is packed with fresh lemon flavor and is also healthy, tender, and incredibly juicy! We have this meal twice a week during the summer, and no one ever complains because it’s beyond delicious. Simple and bright, this is the kind of main that puts us all in that summer grilling mood.
This grilled chicken recipe takes me back to my childhood in Macedonia. Every May Day, which is Europe’s Labor Day, celebrated on the 1st of May, my mom would prepare a feast for our picnic. The day off from work meant a 24-hour celebration with portable grills, grill-friendly food, a shopska salad, and all the soccer gear my dad could fit in the trunk.
My mom’s Grilled Lemon Chicken was always a highlight of that day, bringing joy and deliciousness to our family gatherings.
Lemon Marinade Ingredients
So, in honor of those picnics and May Day, today we’re marinating chicken in lots of lemons and throwing it on the grill. I will even tell you how to make it perfect on an indoor cast iron grill pan.
Let’s start with the marinade. It involves olive oil, lemons, and garlic, along with 2 pounds of chicken breasts. Also, bonus… you can choose whatever herb makes you feel good. If parsley ain’t your thing, go with rosemary. Or thyme. Whatever floats your boat. And then grill it!
How To Make The Best Grilled Chicken
This grilled lemon chicken is a major flavor bomb, you guys. I don’t know what I like more; the taste or the juiciness OR the tenderness. It’s all in there.
- Place marinated chicken on the hot grill; cook without touching it until the chicken breasts start getting some grill marks, about 5 minutes.
- Turn the chicken breasts over, cover the grill, and let finish cooking, about 7 more minutes.
That’s it. You’ve done it. Now EAT IT! If you need a grilling recipe for thighs, grab this delicious and easy Grilled Chicken Thighs recipe.
How To Grill Chicken On A Grill Pan
Grease a cast iron grill pan with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook it for 4 minutes; flip, and continue to cook for 2 more minutes or until lightly browned. Place the grill pan in the oven and cook for 18 to 20 minutes at 350˚F until the chicken is cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you’re having a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue, this grilled chicken brings the fresh, vibrant flavors of warm weather to your table.
Enjoy it with your favorite sides, and get ready for compliments all around! I suggest serving it alongside this grilled zucchini salad or a quinoa southwestern salad. Crispy Cajun fries are always a hit and make a great side for chicken. Pair it with a bowl of fragrant rice, like my Mediterranean rice, to soak up all the delicious marinade flavors.
ENJOY!
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The Best Grilled Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- zest of 2 lemons
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice, (zest the lemons before juicing)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 1 whole lemon, cut into slices
Instructions
- In a large ziploc bag, combine chicken, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and shake it all up until well combined.
- Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate for about 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the grill to about 375˚F to 400˚F.
- Brush the grill grates with olive oil.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and place them on the hot grill; cook without touching the grill until they start to get grill marks, about 5 minutes.
- Turn the chicken breasts over, cover the grill, and let them finish cooking, about 7 more minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove chicken from grill; cover and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Grill Pan Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Grease a grill pan with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes; flip, and continue to cook for 2 more minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Place the grill pan in the oven and cook for 18 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5 to 8 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- If you do not want a strong lemon taste, use less lemon zest and less lemon juice.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Very good! The lemon was a subtle taste but you could still definitely taste it. Will be making these again!
Totally DELICIOUS! I used a cast iron skillet. After removing chicken, I made a lemon ‘gravy’ in same pan with the drippings, leftover marinade, chicken stock mixed with flours. It was so tasrty with the chicken and the roasted sliced potatoes/red onion I made as a side.
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This was delicious. I used my cast iron pan. Just used 2 chicken breasts and let it marinate for I believe 6 hours. Due to the acid I presume, the chicken did get a bit “cooked” while marinating but didn’t affect the taste or texture. Definitely will make again. Thank you for sharing!
Are the lemon slices used as a garnish, or are they cooked with the chicken?
Hi! Yes, the lemon slices are for garnish.