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Grilled lemon herb chicken served with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.

Grilled Lemon Chicken with Herbs

A delightful dish combining juicy chicken with vibrant flavors from lemon and fresh herbs, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Grilling
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (4-5 small breasts or 6-8 pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme, or sage), finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons zest from one medium lemon save the lemon for grilling or juicing
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic or 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon cracked pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) consider using Aleppo or Urfa Biber
  • 0.25 cup olive oil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Use a meat mallet to pound the thickest part of the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness, aiming for about 3/4 inch thick.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients: fresh herbs, lemon zest, garlic, kosher salt, cracked pepper, chili flakes, and olive oil. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this marinade for garnish later.
  3. Place the chicken in a bowl, baking dish, or large zip-lock bag, and pour the marinade over the top. Massage the chicken to coat all sides thoroughly; let it marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Grilling
  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Lift the chicken breasts out of the bowl, allowing excess oil to drip off before placing them carefully onto the grill. Cut the zested lemons in half and place them open-side down on the grill alongside the chicken.
  3. Close the grill lid and cook for 5-6 minutes or until deep golden grill marks appear, then flip the chicken over.
  4. Cook the other side for 5-7 minutes, reducing the heat if necessary. The chicken is done when the thickest part registers at 160°F.
  5. Once fully cooked, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Serving
  1. Arrange the grilled chicken on a serving platter, squeeze the grilled lemon generously over the top, and tuck in the fresh herbs for a delightful garnish.
  2. Spoon the reserved marinade over the chicken before serving.

Notes

For even more flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect cooking. Experiment with grilling different seasonal vegetables, like bell peppers and zucchini.