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Flavorful Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe Easy Herb Oil Marinade

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A quick and easy grilled chicken breast recipe featuring a tangy lemon garlic herb oil marinade that keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful with a subtle char.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (450-680g)
  • 2 fresh lemons (zest and juice)
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  1. Prep the Herb Oil Marinade (10 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil with minced garlic, finely chopped parsley, thyme, and rosemary (2 tablespoons each). Add the zest of 2 lemons and the juice from 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons / 45ml). Whisk everything together until well blended. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of honey to balance acidity.
  2. Marinate the Chicken (at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours): Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour the herb oil marinade over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated. Refrigerate while marinating. If short on time, even 20 minutes imparts good flavor, but longer marinating deepens the taste and tenderness. Don’t marinate longer than 2 hours to avoid the lemon juice breaking down the meat too much.
  3. Preheat the Grill (10 minutes): Get your grill hot — medium-high heat works best (around 400°F / 200°C). If using charcoal, wait until the coals are covered with white ash. Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the Chicken (6-8 minutes per side): Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place breasts on the grill and close the lid. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, flipping once. Use tongs to turn, and avoid piercing the meat to keep juices sealed in. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part to check—juices should run clear, not pink.
  5. Rest and Serve (5 minutes): Transfer grilled chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Do not marinate longer than 2 hours to avoid the lemon juice breaking down the meat too much. Rest the chicken after grilling for 5 minutes to keep it juicy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Oil grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to a cooler spot on the grill.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic grilled chicken, herb oil marinade, grilled chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, healthy grilled chicken, quick dinner, outdoor grilling, low-carb, gluten-free

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/flavorful-lemon-garlic-grilled-chicken-breast-recipe-easy-herb-oil-marinade/