Description
This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken is a zesty, flavorful main course perfect for weeknight dinners or backyard barbecues. Tender boneless chicken thighs are marinated in a vibrant blend of lemon juice, fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil, creating juicy, aromatic chicken that grills up in minutes. Simple to prepare, fresh tasting, and great for meal prep or serving a crowd.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh thyme and fresh rosemary (combined, finely chopped)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and chopped fresh thyme and rosemary. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour most of the prepared marinade over the chicken, reserving a small amount to brush on later while grilling. Turn the chicken to coat evenly. Cover the dish or seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours to avoid the chicken becoming mushy from the acidic marinade.
- Prepare for Grilling: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat. Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard any leftover marinade used with the raw chicken.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the hot grill. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is well browned and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F. During grilling, brush the reserved marinade over the chicken for extra flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Let rest for 5 minutes to keep it juicy. Serve hot, garnished with extra herbs or lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Don’t marinate the chicken for more than 2 hours, as the lemon juice can change the texture.
- This recipe works perfectly with boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well—just adjust the grilling time as needed.
- Slice leftovers for salads, wraps, or sandwiches for easy meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 153.7 mg
- Fat: 12.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.9 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 29.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
