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5.0 from 27 votes

Simple Grilled Chicken Marinade

Lemon, garlic, and herbs make this easy marinade the perfect companion for grilled chicken!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 264 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
For the Marinade
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh herbs (I used a combination of rosemary, thyme and parsley, but fresh basil, chives, oregano or cilantro will all work well)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag or bowl. Set aside. In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients until completely combined.
  2. Pour marinade into the bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and gently toss to make sure that the chicken is completely coated in marinade. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight.
  3. When ready to cook, remove chicken from the bag and discard the marinade. Heat a nonstick pan, grill pan, or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Coat the grill grates or pan with about a teaspoon of oil so that the chicken doesn’t stick. Sear or grill the chicken on each side until golden, crispy, and cooked through (about 5 minutes per side for small, thin chicken breasts, up to 10-12 minutes per side for larger, thick chicken breasts, or about 6-7 minutes for chicken thighs). The meat is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow the meat to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For a hint of sweetness in the marinade, add 2 tablespoons of honey. If you prefer a less-acidic marinade, use just 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
  • For a hint of sweetness in the marinade, add 2 tablespoons of honey.
  • If you prefer a less-acidic marinade, use just 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
  • When zesting the lemon, be careful that you only scrape off the outer layer of the peel. Do not scrape off any of the bitter white pith. To bake the chicken in the oven, remove the chicken from the marinade and bake in a 425°F oven for 20-30 minutes for thin, small chicken breasts, about 30-45 minutes for thick, large chicken breasts, or about 20 minutes for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Prepare this grilled chicken breast on the stove by using a nonstick skillet or griddle, or an indoor grill pan. Heat the pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat and cook the chicken according to the instructions below.
  • When zesting the lemon, be careful that you only scrape off the outer layer of the peel. Do not scrape off any of the bitter white pith.
  • To bake the chicken in the oven, remove the chicken from the marinade and bake in a 425°F oven for 20-30 minutes for thin, small chicken breasts, about 30-45 minutes for thick, large chicken breasts, or about 20 minutes for boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
  • Prepare this grilled chicken breast on the stove by using a nonstick skillet or griddle, or an indoor grill pan. Heat the pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat and cook the chicken according to the instructions below.
  •  

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/6 of the chicken and marinade Calories 264kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 96mg (32%) Sodium 682mg (28%) Potassium 598mg (17%) Vitamin A 255IU (5%) Vitamin C 11mg (12%) Calcium 19mg (2%) Iron 0.9mg (5%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 264

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/6 of the chicken and marinade
Calories 264kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 96mg 32%
Sodium 682mg 28%
Potassium 598mg 13%
Vitamin A 255IU 5%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 19mg 2%
Iron 0.9mg 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.