Lemon Chicken Marinade

This lemon chicken marinade is a simple way to ensure your grilled chicken breasts are flavor-packed and juicy. This grilled lemon chicken pairs really well with a range of side dishes and is a perfect summer weeknight dinner. It is also great to cook on the BBQ or grill, just be careful to not have the heat too high. We love to have leftover lemon marinated chicken on a wrap or sandwich with tzatziki and salad for an easy lunch. Give this easy chicken marinade a try this week.

What you will need to make this recipe

This lemon chicken marinade uses simple ingredients, but they really combine to add a delicious flavor to your grilled chicken. you may even have these ingredients already at home in your fridge and pantry.

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe;

• Lemon juice and zest – We prefer to use fresh lemon juice and zest in this recipe for the best flavor.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil gives a delicious citrussy and peppery flavor to this marinade. If you only have regular olive oil, that will work too.
• Honey – We use pure runny honey in this marinade, as it combines well.
• Garlic – We like to use freshly minced garlic, using a microplane in this recipe. You can also use store-bought garlic paste.
• Thyme – We use fresh thyme leaves in this recipe, but dried thyme leaves will also work if that is all you have access to.
• Salt & pepper
• Chicken breast – We like to use skinless, boneless chicken breast in this recipe, but you can also use chicken tenderloins or skinless and boneless chicken thighs if you prefer.

Equipment

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You may need;

• Skillet
• Microplane

Steps by step instructions

This lemon chicken marinade is very quick to throw together, and then it just needs to sit in the fridge to marinate for 2-4 hours. Once the chicken is marinated you can then cook it in a skillet or on the grill.

1. Prepare the chicken breasts by slicing them in half down the middle, so you end up with 2 thinner chicken breast-shaped pieces.
2. Place all the marinade ingredients in a bowl or container and mix to combine. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to ensure all the chicken pieces are coated in the marinade. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for 2-4 hours.
3. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and then cook the chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through. Be sure not to have your heat too high when grilling the chicken as the marinade may burn while the chicken is still undercooked.

What to serve with lemon marinated chicken

Grilled chicken with this lemon marinade is pretty versatile and would work with most of your favorite side salad or vegetables. It would be delicious with Caesar salad, Greek salad, potato salad, coleslaw, or roasted veggies. The lemon flavor works really well with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Asian flavors.

Here are some of our favorite side dishes to serve with this lemon marinated chicken;

• roasted pepper salad
• Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes
• roast pumpkin salad
• cheesy cauliflower bake

Our favorite chicken marinades

Chicken is really perfect for marinating as it takes on flavors really well and only has a mild flavor itself. We love to marinate chicken to give it loads of flavor and also to ensure it is juicy and succulent when cooked. Most cuts of chicken are suitable for marinating, we prefer skinless, boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, but you can also easily marinate chicken wings and drumsticks.

Here are two of our favorite chicken marinade recipes;

• Mexican chicken marinade
• Tandoori chicken salad

Expert Tips & Suggestions

• Chicken cut alternatives – We like to use chicken breast with this lemon chicken marinade, but it would also work well with skinless, boneless chicken thighs.
• Serving suggestions – You can serve this grilled lemon marinated chicken with your favorite side salads of vegetables. It would be delicious with a Caesar or Greek salad, coleslaw, potato salad, or roasted vegetables.
• Cooking tip – Be sure not to have your heat too high when grilling the chicken as the marinade may burn while the chicken is still undercooked.
• Storage – The cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
• Lemons – Make sure you zest the lemon before juicing it as it is much easier! We like to use a Microplane to zest the lemon, you only want the yellow part of the skin, not the white part.

Make it Low Carb

• This recipe is already low carb. Serve it will your favorite salad or veggies for a delicious low carb meal.

Lemon Chicken Marinade FAQ’s

If you like this recipe you may also like…

• Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
• Mexican Chicken Salad
• Mexican tuna salad
• Tuna Salad without Mayo
• Panko Chicken
• Cream Cheese Pasta
• Lemon Chicken Marinade
• Mexican chicken marinade
• Smoked Chicken Salad
• Tandoori Chicken Salad