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Flavorful Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Breast

grilled lemon herb chicken breast - featured image

A simple and delicious grilled lemon herb chicken breast recipe that delivers juicy, tender chicken with fresh lemon and herbs. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or weekend barbecues.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz or 170 g each)
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt, and black pepper. (5 minutes)
  2. Trim the chicken breasts: Remove any excess fat or tendons. Pound thicker parts to about 1 inch thickness for even cooking. (10 minutes)
  3. Marinate the chicken: Place chicken breasts in the bowl with marinade. Toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. (30 minutes minimum)
  4. Preheat grill or grill pan: Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F / 200°C). If using grill pan, heat on stovetop over medium-high and lightly oil surface. (5 minutes)
  5. Cook the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid pressing chicken. (12-15 minutes)
  6. Rest the chicken: Transfer to plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
  7. Serve: Slice against the grain and serve with your favorite sides or fresh salad.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours; avoid over-marinating to prevent mushy texture. Use tongs to flip chicken to retain juices. Preheat grill properly to avoid sticking. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Pounding chicken to even thickness ensures uniform cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, lemon herb chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken, grilled chicken breast, summer grilling, backyard barbecue