This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken recipe is your ticket to a delicious and healthy summer dinner on the grill.

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe for Delicious Summer Dinners 16

It’s truly one of the best summer chicken recipes out there, perfect for those warm evenings when you want something flavorful but also light and easy. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or simply enjoying a weeknight meal with your family, this dish is a fantastic main course that everyone will love.

Get ready to fire up the grill and impress your taste buds with this simple yet incredibly satisfying recipe. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create perfectly juicy and tender lemon herb grilled chicken that will become a staple in your summer cooking rotation.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken recipe is a true winner for so many reasons, making it an ideal choice for busy families and anyone looking for a stress-free meal. First and foremost, it’s incredibly quick to prepare. With minimal hands-on time, you can have a delicious and healthy dinner on the table in under an hour, which is perfect for those hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. The simple marinade does most of the work, infusing the chicken with bright, fresh flavors without requiring hours of marinating.

Secondly, this recipe is inherently healthy. Lean chicken breast, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon combine to create a meal that’s packed with flavor but low in calories and fat. It’s a fantastic option for those who are conscious about their diet but don’t want to sacrifice taste. Grilling also adds a wonderful smoky char without the need for extra oils, further enhancing its healthy appeal. This makes it a great choice for meal prepping or for anyone looking to incorporate more lean protein into their diet.

Furthermore, this grilled chicken is incredibly versatile. It’s a fantastic main dish for any summer BBQ, easily scaling up to feed a crowd. The vibrant flavors of lemon and herbs pair beautifully with a wide variety of side dishes, from simple salads and grilled vegetables to rice or quinoa. It’s also a very family-friendly meal; the flavors are appealing to most palates, even picky eaters, and the tender chicken is easy to cut and chew. You can serve it as whole pieces, slice it for sandwiches, or chop it for salads, making it adaptable to different preferences and occasions. This recipe truly shines when you want a flavorful, healthy, and easy-to-make meal that everyone will enjoy, especially during the warmer months when grilling is a must.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Making this Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is incredibly straightforward, and you likely have many of the ingredients already in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the fresh, vibrant flavors that come from just a few key components. We’re focusing on readily available items that won’t require a special trip to a gourmet store, ensuring that anyone can whip this up without any fuss.

INGREDIENTS:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Fresh parsley sprigs, for garnish (optional)

For the chicken breasts, aim for pieces that are relatively uniform in thickness. This helps them cook evenly on the grill. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, you can butterfly them or pound them slightly to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch. This prevents the outside from drying out before the inside is cooked through. When it comes to olive oil, a good quality extra virgin olive oil will add a richer flavor to the marinade, but any standard olive oil will work perfectly fine.

Fresh lemon juice is key for that bright, zesty flavor. While bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, fresh squeezed will always yield the best results. For the herbs, using fresh parsley, oregano, and thyme truly elevates the dish. If fresh herbs aren’t available, you can substitute with dried herbs, but use about one-third of the amount (e.g., 1 teaspoon dried parsley for 1 tablespoon fresh). However, for the best flavor profile in this recipe, fresh is highly recommended. Garlic cloves should be fresh and minced finely to distribute their pungent flavor throughout the marinade. Pre-minced garlic in a jar can be used for convenience, but fresh garlic offers a more robust taste. Salt and black pepper are essential seasonings; use kosher salt or sea salt for the best flavor.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

Getting this delicious Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken on your dinner table is surprisingly quick, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or impromptu summer gatherings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes (minimum) to 2 hours (recommended)
Cook Time: 12-18 minutes
Total Time: 57 minutes to 2 hours 33 minutes (depending on marinating time)

The prep time includes gathering your ingredients, mincing the garlic, chopping the herbs, and whisking together the marinade. The marinating time is flexible; while 30 minutes will impart some flavor, allowing the chicken to marinate for 1-2 hours will result in a much more tender and flavorful chicken. For food safety, always marinate chicken in the refrigerator. The cook time on the grill is relatively short, as chicken breasts cook quickly over medium-high heat. Remember to factor in a few minutes for the chicken to rest after grilling, which helps keep it juicy.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this flavorful Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time.

Prepare the Chicken Breasts: If your chicken breasts are very thick (over 1 inch), you might want to pound them lightly to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch. Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag and gently pound with a meat mallet or the flat side of a rolling pin. This ensures even cooking.
Whisk Together the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh oregano, chopped fresh thyme, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined. The marinade should look slightly emulsified and fragrant with the herbs and lemon.
Marinate the Chicken: Place the prepared chicken breasts into a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the lemon herb marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. For the best flavor, aim for at least an hour.
Preheat the Grill: While the chicken is marinating, preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F / 200-230°C). Clean the grill grates thoroughly with a wire brush to prevent sticking. Lightly oil the grates by dipping a paper towel in a little vegetable oil and carefully wiping it over the hot grates using tongs.
Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off (discard the remaining marinade). Place the chicken breasts directly on the preheated, oiled grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 6-9 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. You should see nice grill marks forming.
Check for Doneness and Rest: The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board or platter.
Rest Before Serving: Tent the chicken loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a much juicier and more tender chicken.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt for different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and serve it with a mild dipping sauce like ranch or honey mustard. The lemon and herb flavors are generally well-received by children, but cutting it into smaller, manageable portions can make it even more appealing. You could also serve it alongside some mac and cheese or sweet potato fries for a complete meal that kids will love.

When it comes to flavor swaps, feel free to experiment with different herbs. Rosemary, dill, or even a touch of marjoram would complement the lemon beautifully. For a slight kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. If you prefer a smoky

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Recipe for Delicious Summer Dinners

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