Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is the recipe that Lucia made on a warm summer evening when the grill was hot and the kitchen held a bag of lemons and a collection of dried herbs and she wanted something that tasted genuinely bright and fresh and completely satisfying without requiring any complicated preparation. She squeezed the lemons into the bag with the olive oil and dried basil and parsley and garlic powder and sealed the chicken inside and left it to marinate all morning.
When she pulled the breasts from the bag and laid them on the hot grill and the lemon and herb fragrance immediately filled the porch she knew she had found something that was going to become a permanent fixture in the warm-weather recipe collection.
Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is the summer dinner that proves the simplest marinades are almost always the most deeply and completely flavorful ones. Chicken breasts or thighs marinated in a generous combination of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried basil and parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for anywhere from one hour to twelve, and then grilled over medium heat to a beautiful golden brown. Come follow us on Pinterest where we share beautiful summer dinner recipes and easy grilled chicken favorites from our kitchen every single week.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken recipe is the summer dinner that delivers a genuinely bright and vibrant flavor from one of the most accessible and pantry-friendly ingredient lists imaginable. Every ingredient in this marinade is a long-shelf-life pantry staple with the exception of the fresh lemon juice, meaning this is a dinner that can be started at a moment’s notice from what is already in the kitchen without a special trip to the supermarket.
The use of dried herbs rather than fresh is the deliberate choice that makes this marinade so reliably flavorful. Dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh and pack significantly more flavor punch per teaspoon, particularly when used in a marinade where they have hours to hydrate and distribute their flavor throughout the chicken. The dried basil and parsley in this recipe fully hydrate in the lemon juice and olive oil during the marinating time and produce a more uniformly herb-flavored result throughout every bite of the finished chicken than fresh herbs would provide. Our Greek Chicken and Potatoes makes a wonderfully robust and equally lemon-forward companion dinner for a complete and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired summer spread.
Ingredients Needed for This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
- 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, trimmed
For the Lemon Herb Marinade:
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Fresh Lemon Juice (add lemon zest for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp Dried Basil
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
How to Make This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Place the chicken breasts in a gallon zip-lock bag. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried basil, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Pour the marinade into the zip-lock bag with the chicken. Seal the bag, pressing out all the excess air, and massage the marinade into the chicken through the bag until every surface is completely coated. Refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 12 hours, cara mia.
The longer the chicken marinates the more pronounced and deeply penetrating the lemon and herb flavor will be. The ideal marinating time for the most vibrant and complete flavor is 8 to 10 hours, which means putting the chicken in the marinade in the morning and having it ready to grill by dinner time. Never marinate longer than 12 hours as the acid in the lemon juice will begin to break down the protein structure of the chicken and the texture becomes unpleasantly soft and mealy.
When ready to grill, preheat the grill to medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow any excess to drip back into the bag. Place the chicken on the hot grill over medium heat. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes on the first side without moving until the chicken releases naturally from the grill grates with a beautiful golden sear. If the chicken sticks when you try to flip it, give it another minute and it will usually release on its own once the sear is properly developed.
Flip and grill for another 5 to 7 minutes on the second side until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking time varies with the thickness of the breasts. Juices should run clear when the thickest part is pierced.
To sauté on the stovetop, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F.
How to Serve This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Plate this chicken on a large serving platter with fresh lemon slices arranged alongside and a scatter of fresh basil or fresh parsley over the top for a presentation that is both beautiful and completely inviting. The visual of golden grilled chicken with bright yellow lemon and vibrant green herbs is one of the most appetizing and summery presentations imaginable.
Serve alongside grilled zucchini and summer squash, garlic green beans, or a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette for a complete and balanced summer dinner. Our Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas make a wonderfully easy and equally lemon-herb-forward companion for a complete and varied summer chicken dinner rotation.
How to Store This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This chicken makes exceptional leftovers and is particularly wonderful sliced cold over salads or tucked into sandwiches and wraps. Reheat in the microwave or gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until just warmed through without overcooking.
The uncooked marinated chicken in its bag can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. For a complete make-ahead meal, place the raw chicken in the marinade in the morning and it will be ready to grill without any further preparation by dinner time.
Tips to Make This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Marinate for the full morning if at all possible. The difference between one hour of marinating and eight hours of marinating in this specific recipe is dramatic and clearly tasted. One hour produces a chicken with a pleasant lemon and herb surface coating. Eight hours produces a chicken where the lemon and herb flavor has penetrated all the way through the meat and every bite tastes completely seasoned from edge to center.
If the chicken is sticking to the grill during cooking, do not force the flip. Chicken naturally releases from a hot grill surface when the sear on the bottom is complete and the protein has cooked enough to detach cleanly. Forcing the flip before this point tears the crust and leaves it on the grill. Wait an additional minute and attempt the flip again.
Helpful Notes for This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Adding lemon zest to the marinade alongside the fresh lemon juice amplifies the lemon flavor significantly. Lemon zest contains the essential oils and aromatic compounds from the outer skin of the lemon that are separate from and more fragrant than the juice alone. A teaspoon of lemon zest added to the marinade produces a noticeably more vibrant and perfumed lemon character in the finished chicken that is completely worth the extra thirty seconds of zesting.
Preventing the chicken from sticking to the grill is primarily a matter of proper heat management and adequate oil in the marinade. This recipe includes olive oil in the marinade which provides a meaningful amount of lubrication between the chicken surface and the grill grates. If you have a history of sticking problems, additionally brush the grill grates directly with a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil immediately before placing the chicken on the grill.
Variation of This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Maria made a version replacing the dried basil and parsley with dried oregano and dried thyme for a more Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that was completely extraordinary alongside a simple Greek salad. Teresa tried adding a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the marinade for an additional tangy depth and emulsifying quality that helped the marinade cling more evenly and thickly to the chicken surface during grilling.
For a spicier and more boldly flavored version, double the crushed red pepper flakes and add half a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the marinade for a warmly spiced and smoky lemon herb chicken that is completely extraordinary alongside roasted vegetables. Our Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet makes a wonderfully tangy and bold companion skillet dinner for any evening when the grill is not an option.
FAQs About This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully with this marinade and are actually more forgiving on the grill than chicken breasts because their higher fat content keeps them moist and juicy even if they spend a few extra minutes on the heat. Bone-in thighs also work but require a longer cooking time, typically 10 to 12 minutes per side, to cook through to 165°F at the bone.
How long is too long to marinate in lemon juice?
The maximum recommended marinating time for this recipe is 12 hours. The acid in fresh lemon juice denatures the proteins on the surface of the chicken over time and marinades longer than 12 hours produce a mushy and unpleasant texture on the outermost layer of the meat. For the very best result marinate for 8 to 10 hours.
Can I bake this chicken instead of grilling?
Yes. Place the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in a greased baking dish and bake at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For a more golden and slightly caramelized exterior similar to the grill, broil for the final 2 to 3 minutes watching closely. The baked version is equally delicious and appropriate for any weather.
Conclusion
This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is the summer dinner that makes every grill evening feel like a genuinely special occasion and leaves every person at the table asking what is in the marinade before the first serving is even finished. Bright, vibrant, deeply herby, and completely wonderful in every golden and juicy bite. We hope it brings the same fragrant summer evening energy and the same deeply satisfied dinner table to your home that it has always brought to ours. Make it, share it, and come back to tell us all about it. With all our love, Maria, Lucia, and Teresa.
Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken The Most Bright and Juicy Dinner You Will Ever Make
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
The most bright and juicy Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken made with chicken breasts marinated in fresh lemon juice extra virgin olive oil dried basil dried parsley garlic powder and herbs for 1 to 12 hours then grilled to a beautiful golden perfection. A completely easy and vibrant summer dinner recipe.
Ingredients
2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts trimmed
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Dried Basil
1 tbsp Dried Parsley
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
1. Place chicken breasts in a gallon zip-lock bag.
2. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
3. Pour marinade into bag with chicken. Seal pressing out air. Massage to coat completely.
4. Refrigerate minimum 1 hour and up to 12 hours. 8 to 10 hours is ideal.
5. Preheat grill to medium heat.
6. Remove chicken from marinade allowing excess to drip off.
7. Grill 5 to 7 minutes on first side without moving until chicken releases naturally.
8. Flip and grill 5 to 7 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
9. Juices should run clear when thickest part is pierced.
10. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
11. Plate with fresh lemon slices and fresh herbs for serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour marinating
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Grilling, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 49g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: lemon herb grilled chicken, lemon chicken marinade, easy grilled chicken recipe, herb marinated chicken breast
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