The Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe Everyone Loves

Succulent lemon garlic chicken brings zesty Mediterranean flavors right to your dinner table.

My grandmother first shared this recipe during summer gatherings in her sunny kitchen.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together creating magic on your plate.

Simple ingredients combine effortlessly to produce restaurant-quality results.

Each bite promises tender meat infused with bright citrus and robust garlic notes.

Fresh herbs and minimal preparation make this dish incredibly approachable for home cooks.

Easy and Bright Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Savor Quick Preparation: This recipe offers a speedy solution for busy home cooks, requiring minimal ingredients and simple steps that anyone can master.
• Boost Flavor Explosion: Combining zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs creates a mouthwatering marinade that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Meals: Versatile enough for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or casual potlucks, this chicken recipe satisfies diverse taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Maximize Healthy Cooking: Lean protein packed with vibrant herbs and citrus makes this dish a nutritious option for health-conscious individuals seeking delicious, wholesome meals.

Ingredients Needed for Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Chicken: A lean and versatile protein that absorbs the zesty marinade beautifully.

• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Garlic, Minced: Adds robust, aromatic flavor and enhances the overall taste profile.
• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth base for the marinade and helps prevent the chicken from sticking.

• Fresh Herbs, Chopped: Brings fresh, herbaceous notes to complement the chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance and balance the dish's flavors.

How to Cook Lemon Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Craft Vibrant Marinade

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Crushed garlic cloves
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Finely chopped fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Stir everything until the ingredients create a harmonious, aromatic mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Infuse Chicken with Flavor

Nestle your chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring every nook and cranny gets coated. Let the chicken soak up all those incredible flavors for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

The longer it sits, the more delicious it becomes.

Step 3: Prepare Cooking Surface

Heat up your grill or skillet to medium-high temperature.

You want a nice sizzling surface that’ll create a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Place the marinated chicken on the hot surface.

Cook each side for approximately 6 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This magical pause allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is incredibly succulent.

Plate up and enjoy your flavor-packed chicken masterpiece!

Tips to Perfect Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Pat chicken dry before marinating to help the seasoning stick better and create a crispier exterior.
• Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor instead of bottled juice.
• Try different herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to add complexity to the marinade.
• Let the chicken rest for 5-7 minutes after cooking to keep the meat juicy and prevent moisture loss.
• For a gluten-free option, ensure all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and use tamari instead of soy sauce if needed.

Flavor Variations on Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Mediterranean Herb Swap: Replace chopped herbs with oregano, thyme, and rosemary for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Cayenne Version: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne powder to the marinade for a zesty, heat-packed chicken dish.
• Dairy-Free Herb Chicken: Use coconut oil instead of olive oil for those with dairy sensitivities, maintaining the same bright lemon-garlic essence.
• Oven-Roasted Alternative: Bake chicken in a preheated 425F oven for 25-30 minutes instead of grilling, perfect for indoor cooking.

Pairings to Elevate Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that complements the bright lemon and garlic notes, cutting through the chicken's richness with refreshing acidity.
• Create a light, fluffy couscous with fresh parsley and mint that echoes the herb flavors in the chicken marinade, providing a complementary texture and taste.
• Prepare a salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese, dressed in olive oil and lemon juice to enhance the dish's Mediterranean profile and add crisp, cool elements.
• Offer extra lemon wedges on the side, allowing diners to squeeze additional citrus over the chicken for an extra bright, tangy burst of flavor.

Storage Tips for Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping it moist and fresh by adding a splash of chicken broth before sealing.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to preserve for 2-3 months, ensuring no freezer burn by removing excess air.
• Microwave Reheat: Warm chicken on 50% power in 30-second intervals, drizzling a little olive oil or broth to prevent drying, stopping when internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat to 350F, place chicken in a baking dish with a few tablespoons of broth, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

• Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended for better flavor, but bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch. Just ensure it’s 100% pure lemon juice without added preservatives.

• What herbs work best in this marinade?

Rosemary, thyme, and parsley are excellent choices. These herbs complement the lemon and garlic perfectly and add depth to the chicken’s flavor.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C). This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and prevents overcooking.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic Lemon Garlic Chicken delivers Mediterranean flavors straight from Greek kitchens. Succulent chicken marinated in zesty citrus and aromatic garlic creates a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 to 2 lbs (680 to 907 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 large fresh lemons (zested and juiced)
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup (15 g) chopped fresh herbs (parsley or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Create a zesty marinade by whisking together tangy citrus extract, aromatic crushed garlic cloves, fragrant olive oil, freshly chopped herbaceous leaves, and seasoning.
2. Submerge poultry pieces completely in the vibrant liquid mixture, ensuring thorough coating for maximum flavor infusion. Refrigerate for 30-120 minutes to allow deep flavor penetration.
3. Heat cooking surface to medium-high temperature, preparing a grill pan or skillet with light oil coating to prevent sticking.
4. Carefully transfer marinated chicken onto hot cooking surface, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown caramelized exterior. Rotate protein midway through cooking process to ensure even heat distribution.
5. Monitor internal temperature using meat thermometer, cooking until poultry reaches safe 165°F (74°C). This typically requires approximately 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness.
6. Remove chicken from heat source, allowing protein to rest for 3-5 minutes. This crucial resting period helps redistribute internal juices, ensuring a tender and succulent final dish.
7. Plate the aromatic chicken, garnishing with additional fresh herb sprigs or citrus wedges for enhanced visual appeal and complementary flavor profile.

Notes

• Marinate chicken longer for deeper, more vibrant flavor profiles that penetrate every fiber of the meat.
• Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme instead of dried to enhance the aromatic quality and brightness of the dish.
• For gluten-free option, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and avoid cross-contamination during preparation.
• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking plant-based proteins.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 0.6 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg