Grilled Lemon Chicken
Make juicy Grilled Lemon Chicken with 6 simple ingredients. This easy grilling recipe is packed with fresh lemon, garlic, and onion flavors.
Grilling season is here, and there is no better way to celebrate than with Grilled Lemon Chicken. It’s a classic grilling recipe for a reason. Inspired by the fresh flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, especially Greek and Southern Italian cooking, this dish combines tangy lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic to create a light and delicious chicken marinade everyone will enjoy straight from the grill. Although this recipe requires some marinating time, the incredible flavor and juicy, tender chicken make it well worth the wait.
GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN
This grilled lemon chicken marinade comes together easily with only a handful of ingredients. Let the grilled chicken lemon breasts sit in the fridge for about 2 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to marry together, then pop them on the grill, switching sides after 7 minutes, for a quick weeknight meal. One of my favorite things about this Mediterranean grilled chicken is how versatile it is. Serve it alongside grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, fresh green salads, or buttery pasta for a delicious dinner. You can also slice the grilled chicken and use it in wraps, sandwiches, grain bowls, or Caesar salads for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week. It’s great for picky eaters and meal prepping. With its fresh citrus flavor, smoky grilled finish, and simple preparation, this grilled lemon garlic chicken is sure to become one of your go-to summer chicken recipes.
Find my expert tips on how to make grilled lemon chicken from scratch below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. 💛
Why You’ll Love This Easy Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe:
- Juicy & Tender: Marinating the chicken for several hours helps lock in moisture, making the chicken breasts flavorful and perfectly tender on the grill.
- Simple Weeknight Meal: Made with fresh ingredients you likely already have on hand, this recipe is easy and approachable for any home cook.
- Summer Grilling Staple: This chicken cooks quickly on the grill and delivers delicious smoky flavor, making it ideal for cookouts, family dinners, or meal prep.
- Healthy & Protein-Packed: Lean chicken breasts paired with a light citrus marinade make this a wholesome, satisfying meal option without feeling heavy.
- Meal-Prep-Friendly: Make extra and enjoy leftovers throughout the week in salads, bowls, or quick lunches.
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion (OR freshly diced white onion)
- 6 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and onion. Add chicken breasts to the marinade. Turn to coat- making sure all chicken is covered in marinade. Cover with a lid. Place in fridge to marinate at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
Prepare the grill for medium heat. Drain chicken; discard marinade.
Place chicken on the grill rack, then cover the grill with the lid. Grill on first side for 7 minutes. Turn over and grill another 7 minutes, or until cooked thoroughly and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve warm and enjoy!
Servings
Yields: 6 lemon chicken breasts.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover grilled lemon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw chicken overnight before reheating if frozen. To reheat, place a chicken breast in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in a 350°F oven until warmed through, adding a splash of broth or lemon juice if needed to keep the chicken moist.
Holly’s Tips for The Best Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe:
- Don’t Rush The Process: For the juiciest and most flavorful grilled lemon chicken, marinate the chicken breasts for at least 2 hours. If possible, let the chicken soak overnight for an even deeper lemon garlic flavor.
- Pound The Chicken If Needed: If your chicken breasts are thick in some areas, gently pound them to an even thickness before marinating. This helps the chicken cook evenly on the grill and prevents dry spots.
- Preheat The Grill: A medium-heat grill is key for the best grilled chicken breasts. Preheating the grill helps create beautiful grill marks while sealing in moisture.
- Don’t Forget The Oil: Lightly oiling the grill grates before cooking helps prevent the lemon chicken from sticking and makes flipping easier.
- Check For Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F for tender, juicy results every time.
- Serve It Your Way: Enjoy this versatile lemon chicken in salads, wraps, pita sandwiches, pasta dishes, or grain bowls for endless dinner possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours. This allows the lemon garlic marinade to fully infuse the chicken, making it juicy, tender, and flavorful.
Yes, you can marinate grilled lemon chicken overnight. However, it’s best not to exceed 8-12 hours, as the acidity from the lemon juice can start to break down the texture of the chicken.
To keep chicken breasts juicy, avoid overcooking, use a marinade with olive oil and lemon juice, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling. Pounding chicken to an even thickness also helps it cook evenly.
Yes, this recipe can be made on a grill pan or baked in the oven at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
This Grilled Lemon Chicken is naturally gluten-free as written since the marinade is made with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. To ensure it stays fully gluten-free, double-check that your spices (especially dried minced onion) are certified gluten-free and free from additives or anti-caking agents that may contain gluten. Also, avoid cross-contamination by using clean utensils, bowls, and a well-cleaned grill surface or grill pan.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Try my Grilled Apricot Chicken next.
Wanting something different? Try my 2-ingredient Grilled Italian Chicken.
Looking for more grilled chicken recipes? Here are some of my favorites: Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken, Grilled Huli Huli Chicken, and Garlic Parmesan Chicken Kebabs.
Have you made this Grilled Lemon Chicken recipe? 💛
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #GrilledLemonChicken #LifeInTheLofthouse
Grilled Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion (or freshly diced white onion)
- 6 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and onion. Add chicken breasts to the marinade. Turn to coat- making sure all chicken is covered in marinade. Cover with lid. Place in fridge to marinate at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
- Prepare grill for medium heat. Drain chicken; discard marinade.
- Place chicken on grill rack then cover grill with lid. Grill on first side for 7 minutes. Turn over and grill another 7 minutes, or until cooked thoroughly and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve warm and enjoy!
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This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it. Would you suggest the minced onion or a fresh onion?
You can’t go wrong either way! When I do have fresh on hand that is what I use. But I’ve used dried minced onion many times and it’s still so good!
So delicious and flavorful! Definitely a 5-star keeper recipe.
I love lemon chicken ..I love anything lemon lol. I unfortunately don’t own a grill as in an apartment building. Is this recipe workable in the oven?
Yes, you can absolutely bake this in the oven. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees. 🙂