Description

There’s something so satisfying about a simple, perfectly grilled piece of chicken—especially when it’s soaked in lemony, herb-packed marinade and kissed by the grill until golden and juicy. This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes: quick to prep, packed with fresh flavor, and versatile enough to go with just about anything.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Make the marinade
In a bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Marinate the chicken
Place chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2–4 hours. (Overnight is fine, too!)
Preheat the grill
Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates if needed.
Grill the chicken
Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for 6–8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest and serve
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with extra herbs or a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

Fresh lemon juice and zest make all the difference—don’t skip the zest!

If you’re using dried herbs, reduce the amount to one-third (dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh).

Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but 2–4 hours is ideal for deeper flavor.

Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for an even juicier result.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired, American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 grilled chicken breast
Calories: 290
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 90mg