5 from 45 votes
Italian Marinated Chicken Recipe
This Italian Marinated Chicken features a blend of fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, and rosemary combined with lemon zest, juice, and garlic, all emulsified in extra virgin olive oil. The chicken soaks in this vibrant marinade for 12 to 48 hours, allowing the citrus and herb flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. This preparation tenderizes the chicken while imparting a bright, savory profile.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
12 hrs
Servings:
6
Calories:
340 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 3 thyme sprigs, finely minced, fresh
- 3 oregano sprigs, finely minced, fresh
- 3 parsley sprigs, finely minced, fresh
- 6 basil finely minced fresh leaves
- 1 rosemary sprig, finely minced, fresh
- lemon zest of 1
- lemon about 1/3 cup, juice of 2
- 5 garlic finely grated, cloves
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- chicken breast up to 3 pounds
Instructions
- Finely grate the garlic into a large bowl.
- Next, zest in 1 lemon and squeeze in the juice of 2 lemons. Feel free to slice one of the lemons and add it to the bowl as well.
- Pour in the olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk the ingredients together until they are combined and emulsified.
- Add the chicken to the bowl with marinade and mix thoroughly until it is completely coated in it.
- Cover with plastic and marinate it in the refrigerator for 12 to 48 hours.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The marinade can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and kept refrigerated, but avoid freezing it to maintain quality.
- Marinated chicken can be refrigerated up to 48 hours or frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before cooking.
- If chicken starts to burn on the grill or stovetop, transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and finish baking at 350°F until it reaches 165°F internally.
- This marinade also works well with pork, beef, or vegetables, offering flexible use beyond chicken.
- You can substitute 2 teaspoons of dried herbs if fresh herbs aren't available.
Nutrition Information
Calories
340kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
48g
(96%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Trans Fat
0.03g
(2%)
Cholesterol
145mg
(48%)
Sodium
264mg
(11%)
Potassium
848mg
(18%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
0.02g
(0%)
Vitamin A
102IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
17mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 340
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 340kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 48g | 96% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 145mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 264mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 848mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0.02g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 102IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.