Description
Juicy and tender grilled chicken marinated with fresh herbs, lemon zest, garlic, and olive oil. This Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken is perfect for weeknight dinners, summer barbecues, or meal prep, delivering bold, fresh flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4–5 small) or boneless, skinless chicken thighs (6–8 pieces)
2 Tbsp fresh oregano, rosemary, thyme, or sage, finely chopped (or a combination)
Zest from 1 medium lemon (about 2 Tbsp) – reserve lemon for grilling/juicing
1 Tbsp granulated garlic or 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp cracked pepper
1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional – Aleppo or Urfa Biber work well)
1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Pound chicken to about 3/4 inch thickness for even cooking. If large, cut into 5–6 oz portions.
- In a small bowl, combine herbs, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper, chili flakes (if using), and olive oil. Reserve 2 Tbsp of the marinade for later.
- Place chicken in a dish, bowl, or zip-top bag. Coat with marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Preheat grill to medium-high. Let excess marinade drip off chicken. Place halved zested lemons on grill, cut side down.
- Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden with grill marks. Lower heat if needed and cook until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for breasts or 170°F (77°C) for thighs.
- Rest chicken for 5–10 minutes. Squeeze grilled lemon over the top, garnish with herbs, and drizzle with reserved marinade.
Notes
- Add feta and serve with Greek salad for a Mediterranean twist.
- Increase chili flakes or use hot chili oil for extra heat.
- Swap half the lemon zest for orange or lime zest for a citrus blend.
- Use basil, tarragon, or cilantro for a different herb profile.
- If grilling isn’t possible, bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (including marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
