Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken

You’ll love the simple lemon marinade in this grilled lemon chicken recipe. It has the big fresh flavors of lemon and dried herbs. Plus it’s so easy! Use chicken breasts or thighs and you’ll be enjoying the most tender chicken for dinner tonight!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2020 and has been republished with all new photos.

I’m always playing around with new marinade ideas because this gal loves to grill. If the sun is out you better believe I’ll be making dinner on the back porch! An evening cooking outside with a glass of wine is pretty much my favorite thing.

This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken was a home run right away. David took one bite and pronounced that it’s better than my Ultimate Marinated Grilled Chicken. Now that’s a mighty bold statement because that chicken recipe is obscenely good, but this (brace yourself) might actually be the very best chicken.

This delicious marinade includes lots of lemon juice and dried herbs (they pack more punch than fresh herbs). The longer you marinate the chicken, the more pronounced the lemon will be. I like to put the chicken in the marinade in the morning so it can sit all day. You can marinate for less time but the best flavor builds with more marinating.

If you think cooking chicken can get a little boring, I’m telling you this easy recipe will change your mind. I use boneless chicken breasts the most often, but juicy chicken thighs also do well in this marinade.

Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts in this grilling recipe but bone-in chicken thighs or boneless chicken thighs are also delicious options if you prefer dark meat.
• Olive oil: I recommend extra virgin olive oil for this lemon marinade.
• Lemon juice: We’re using plenty of lemon in this delicious marinade to give it so much flavor. The lemon really shines here! If you’re using fresh lemon juice I recommend adding lemon zest for extra flavor too!
• Simple herbs and seasonings: Dried basil, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes flavor this easy marinade.

How to Make Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken

We’ll start by marinating our chicken in this simple recipe. Place chicken (breasts or thighs) in a gallon Ziploc bag with all ingredients for the Lemon Herb Marinade. Seal the bag, squeezing out any excess air. Let the chicken marinate for at least one hour and up to 12 hours. The longer you marinate, the bigger the lemon flavor.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, grill or sauté your chicken. In the warm weather months I prefer to grill mine, but sautéing is always an option if the weather won’t allow for it.

To grill, remove each chicken breast or thigh from the bag and place on a hot grill over medium heat. Grill 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until done. Cooking time may increase if you’re using bone-in chicken. Your chicken should be a beautiful golden brown. (Juices should run clear.)

To sauté, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet on the stovetop. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. (You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken sizzles as you place it in the pan.) Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 5 minutes. Flip your chicken. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Cooking time may increase if you’re using bone-in chicken. (Chicken should be firm to the touch when done and juices should run clear.)

How Long Should You Marinate Chicken?

I always like to marinate chicken for at least an hour and up to 12 hours. The longer you marinate the more pronounced the flavor will be. That’s especially important when using a milder marinade like this one. I try to toss the marinade in a bag with the chicken breasts in the morning so they can hang out all day together. I don’t recommend longer than 12 hours because your meat can start to breakdown and the texture changes if it sits in a marinade for too long. (That goes for any marinade.)

How to Prevent Chicken from Sticking to the Grill

The marinade in this lemon herb chicken recipe includes olive oil so that will help prevent sticking. If you have a history of sticking problems on your grill grates then feel to add a little more olive oil directly to the grates or use a grill spray. If you try to flip your chicken and you notice it’s sticking a bit just give it another minute before flipping and the chicken will usually release better then.

How to Serve Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken

If you’re entertaining guests I recommend plating this chicken on a large platter with lemon slices and topped with fresh basil or fresh parsley. It looks impressive and adds to the whole experience!

Try a side dish like Grilled Zucchini & Squash, Garlic Green Beans, or Spicy Roasted Broccoli. These chicken breasts are also incredible on top of a salad like my Blueberry Citrus Spinach Salad or Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad.

How to Store Leftovers

Want to enjoy this recipe the next day or later in the week? This entree makes great leftovers and it’s perfect for meal prep! Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a large skillet on the stovetop on low to medium-low heat until warmed through.

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