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Fresh Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken

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A quick and easy grilled chicken recipe featuring a zesty lemon and fresh herb marinade that delivers juicy, flavorful results perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 2 large fresh lemons (juice and zest)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon kosher salt)
  • Black pepper to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the juice and zest of 2 lemons, 1/4 cup olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, black pepper, and honey or maple syrup if using. Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours. Avoid marinating longer than 4 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down the meat too much.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (around 400°F / 205°C). Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Place on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, flipping once. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You should see nice grill marks and the chicken should feel firm but still juicy.
  5. Rest the chicken: Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This step helps keep the juices locked in.
  6. Serve: Slice against the grain and garnish with additional fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not marinate longer than 4 hours to avoid mushy texture from lemon acid. Pat chicken dry before grilling to prevent steaming. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. Let chicken rest 5 minutes after grilling to keep it juicy. If grill flares up, move chicken to cooler spot after searing. Flipping only once helps get nice grill marks.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, lemon herb chicken, easy grilled chicken, healthy chicken recipe, summer BBQ, quick dinner, zesty chicken

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/fresh-lemon-herb-grilled-chicken-recipe-easy-zesty-flavor-guide/