Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken {My Go-To Grilled Chicken Recipe}
My go-to chicken marinade, this lemon and garlic grilled chicken is FABULOUS! It is the best chicken for BBQs but also perfect for throwing in salads and other dishes that call for cooked chicken.
Everyone needs a go-to grilled chicken recipe, and this is mine. I have been making it for years (since 2009!) and it continues to be the recipe that I make every time I need the perfect chicken for a BBQ/cook out lineup or for a simple weeknight meal.
It’s especially delicious used in other recipes that call for cooked chicken (I’ve highlighted a few favorites below!). The flavors are so simple…but definitely prove to be more than the sum of their parts. Juicy and bursting with bright flavors, this chicken is the best. When I make it, I always double or triple the recipe and refrigerate the leftovers to use (ok, hoard) for lunches in the following days.
How long can chicken marinade in lemon juice?
A lot of people ask me this question! The acidity in lemon juice can “cook” the chicken if left to marinade too long, but I’ve found that if the chicken pieces aren’t overly thin or small, this chicken can marinade for up to 12 hours with no issues (and I’ve left it to marinade as long as 24).
This chicken is so tasty on its own, but wow, it is AMAZING in the following recipes. It would be phenomenal in any salad-type recipe calling for cooked or grilled chicken.
Avocado Chicken Salad
Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
Chopped Greek Chicken Salad
Greek Chicken Burritos
Add it to either of these salads: Orzo Salad with Basil, Tomatoes and Feta or Summer Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad
Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lemon, approximately 3 tablespoons
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 2 medium cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt (I use coarse, kosher salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 to 2 pounds chicken breasts (see note)
Instructions
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients.
- Place chicken in a ziploc bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over chicken, tossing to coat the chicken evenly with the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours but up to 18 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium- or medium-high (I use about 375 degrees on my pellet grill) and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until an instant read thermometer registers 165 degrees at the thickest part of the chicken. (The chicken can also be cooked in a skillet on the stove or broiled in the oven.)
Notes
Chicken: I like to use thin cut chicken breasts or chicken tenders (I find they absorb the flavor and marinade better). If I only have thicker chicken breasts, I cut them in half lengthwise (like a hamburger) to form thinner cutlets before marinading.
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Recipe Source: adapted from my sis-in-law, Erin W.
Recipe originally posted February 2009; updated August 2019
It wouldn’t let me rate it when I replied for some reason.
This is probably such a silly question, but how do you make this in the oven? I love using my grill, but it’s supposed to be snowing and icy outside so I would like to stay in. Thank you!
I would probably broil for 4-6 minutes on a side (on a foil-lined and greased pan).
It ended up needing to broil for about 20 minutes total, but it turned out great! Thank you!
This recipe is very similar to a recipe my uncle (from Iran) would make. My mom and dad love cooking and eating ethnic foods and so of course my mom had the recipe – we ate this chicken a lot growing up. We would mostly eat it with a side of basmati rice with saffron, dill and lima beans mixed into it. Yum! Yum!
I am new at grilling, and would like to know the best or easiest to use thermometer.
I love lemon and garlic and will definitely use this marinade. Thanks!
Hi Rhonda, this is a great thermometer.
I don’t own an air fryer but I want one. Would this recipe work in an air fryer?
Can anyone chime in with instructions?
I haven’t used an air fryer before so I’m not sure, Marie. Sorry!
Mel, I don’t feel this chicken marinade gets enough credit. It is our go-to for flavorful chicken. WE LOVE IT and it is definitely best when marinaded for a day. Yummo.
This is how we eat it:
Arugula/Spinach Mix
Feta
Dill
Calamata Olives
Your Delish Chicken
Lemon Vinagrette
It is soooooooo good. Thanks for this recipe and all the others that are on our rotation.
This is my favorite way to cook chicken now! It’s so moist and flavourful. I usually cook a big batch and then slice and freeze the leftovers to make fajitas, pasta, etc.
FYI the link in to The Sisters Cafe took me to some weird website. I tried it twice and it happened both times.
Thanks. I’ll fix that.
This is our go to chicken marinade. We have used it for several years now. Every time we make it, my husband comments on the great flavor the marinade gives the chicken. I love marinades without soy sauce since my daughter is allergic to it. Thanks for this recipe!
Made this for lunch today… Loved it! Will definitely make again, many times!
Love your site, and your recipes!
Beth
This is super easy and bursting with flavor! Thanks for this great recipe. My family loves it. In fact, my husband was gone for a month (army training) and when he came back he wanted this for his first meal! We make it with squash risotto and your skillet green beans for a yummy, fresh (gluten free) meal!
This is an *excellent,* simple grilled chicken recipe. Look no further. Perfection.
This as well as your grilled coconut lime curry chicken are my 2 favorite ways to make chicken! I love serving this with your orzo salad with tomatoes, basil, and feta – it’s the perfect summer combo!
This is absolutely the very best grilled chicken I have ever tasted…ever!!! SOOO delicious!
I had to comment again on this recipe. This has become a staple in our home. It’s so good. My latest concoction with this recipe included baby romaine, argula, fresh dill, feta and kalamata olives. Since the chicken was so flavorful, no dressing was needed. Simply yummy! LOVE this recipe.
Hi Mel!
My husbands name is Melchiore, we call him Mel and he does not like lemon chicken. Well, he LOVED this and so did I. I made extra, could eat it alone it is so good. Thank you!
Janine
BEST new dairy-free recipe I’ve tried in the 7 months that I’ve been dairy-free for the sake of my dairy-intolerant infant. I made this with your skillet potatoes, and it was restaurant quality! I’ve really been in a rut eating the same so-so dairy-free dinners over and over and over. It makes me hate dinner time. But now I’m super excited for your dairy-free recipes because you make YUMMY food! Thank you for taking the time to organize your allergy-free sections of this blog.
I am so happy this recipe and the potatoes worked out so well for you, Leann! Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know!
This has been my “go to” marinade ever since you posted it. Made it again for like the 50th time last nite! Always a hit with everyone i.e. family / company. Leftovers make a wonderful chicken salad, green salad, etc. Thank you & thanks to Erin! Love your site & sisters cafe…both are the first ones when I need a recipe 🙂
Tried the lemon garlic recipe last night. My 2 year old nephew wanted more than what would be his regular serving of meat. As I was eating, I imagined numerous leftover ideas. I quartered a while chicken, after about 12 hours of marinating, I broiled each side for about 20 minutes, then covered the pan and baked at 350 degree for 30 minutes, added the juice to the liquid for brown rice! Umph! Umph! Umph! This is the dish I will take to our next family gathering. Thanks so much for sharing.
I posted back in November after trying this recipe for the first time, and it has become a regular staple in our home. My husband is STILL not burned out on it, despite having it at least once a week! I finally started tripling the recipe, so had to trade in my tablespoon for an actual measuring cup.
Also, got really brave and substituted the chicken with shrimp one evening, and it too is too die for. And, the plus is, with the shrimp, it is not necessary to marinate it over night. As with the chicken, I throw extra garlic in as it’s cooking!! (Can you ever get too much garlic! 🙂
My family is convinced, this is the best recipe we have ever tried and I’m so thankful you shared it!
I’ve made this several times as chicken kabobs, but this was my first time marinating it overnight and just grilling the chicken breasts. I served them with roasted potatoes and asparagus; it was a hit with everyone, except my 4 year old who was only in the mood to eat rolls anyway. My husband especially liked it and would’ve eaten more if it had been available. Next time I’ll have to double the recipe!
This is pretty much a chicken souvlaki recipe. You could serve it on a pita with lettuce and tzatziki!
Mel, this chicken is phenomenal! When my husband and I are having company over that we want to impress, especially during barbecue season, this is our go to recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. Many times we will serve a red and white meat together at the events and I’m going to include our go to red meat marinade for you to try if interested. It’s easy and delicious! 2-3 lbs steak tips, 1 bottle Italian dressing, 1 bottle creamy Italian dressing, 1 bottle barbecue sauce, 1 can beer (like Budweiser, Heineken, etc.) and 3-4 garlic cloves smashed or chopped. Blend together in a ziplock bag and allow to marinate in fridge for a few hours or preferably overnight! Let me know what you think!
Heh, one of the “best of’s” is surprisingly close to my “go-to” recipe for grilling chicken. I substitute the oregano for rosemary (love me some rosemary and it’s superb with the lemon/garlic!) while adding lemon peel and a few drops of honey to taste. Oh, and I also use lemon pepper in place of normal pepper.
Love this blog too! Discovered it about a month ago. Browse it all the time when I get bored and next thing I know I’m in the kitchen.
This is my “go to” chicken marinade. I’m not good at grilling so I use my grill pan, and this recipe is fantastic every time! As you’ve mentioned, the chicken is amazing in other things and as leftovers as well. Thank you for making my chicken taste so good!
Since discovering this recipe a couple of weeks ago, I have made it THREE times. My family loves it! The first time, I grilled it on the barbecue, then my barbecue went tits up, forcing me to skillet fry it the next two times. We actually liked it better than grilled. Pan frying seemed to keep the moisture in, but it was NOT soggy! Also, I dumped the marinade in the pan with the chicken, knowing I would cook it long enough and hot enough to prevent getting sick, and that too I think, added to its moistness. Next time I cook it, I’m going to throw some extra garlic in the pan, just because we LOVE garlic.
Awesome recipe, and I thank you for taking the time to share it! I’m paying it forward!
Doubled the recipe, marinated 24 hours, cooked in cast iron on stove, chicken turned out WONDERFUL. Served with steamed potatoes, corn , carrots. Kids devoured. THANKS!
Amazing! That’s all i can say about this recipe. I cutted the chicken into small pieces and it turned out to be absolutely amazing. There’s one thing that i would add: a 1/2 teaspoon of honey! It doesn’t change the lemony flavor of the chicken but it adds a special taste to the dish. Thank you!
This is an EXCELLENT marinade. My whole family loved this! I pounded the chicken to even the thickness, marinaded 7 hours and grilled. Will definitely make again!
i coordinate a block party every friday night i will try this .it looks good
Dee – this is a pretty adaptable recipe so yes, I think it could be baked or broiled. I like broiling my chicken (about 5-6 minutes per side). Good luck!
Hi Mel…I had a question. Can this be baked or broiled? I don’t have a grill and this spatters all over my stove when I try and cook it in a pan. Any suggestions?
I just want to say I am totally IN LOVE with your blog! I stumbled across it about a month ago and have tried a number of your recipes. You have become my weekly go to before planning meals for my family. My husband and I agree that not even one has disappointed! I am mother working PT outside the home, FT inside the home and am an aspiring cook 🙂 Thank you for the amazing posts and pictures!
I have made this several times now, and have never yet marinated it. Maybe one day I will have the forethought to do so, but so far it’s been delicious just cooked in a frying pan right in the marinade! Thanks for another great recipe 🙂
I made this last night and only had a few hours to marinate it… My boyfriend was impressed! I can’t imagine how good it would be if I had marinated it overnight! 🙂 It was really good!!
This recipe was great and the twice baked potatoes were even better! I am looking forward to trying many many more! Thank you for sharing.
This is amazing! It was so juicy and tender. My husband told me it tasted like it was from a restaurant, and I wish I could have taken the credit. I doubled the marinade and cooked it on the stove instead of our George Foreman simply due to the fact my husband forgot to clean it last time he used it (…again!). I will definitely use this again, and am happily giving everyone the recipe!
I made this for dinner last night alongside rice. I marinated it overnight and grilled it on our George Foreman grill because that is all we have as far as grills go. It was a little on the salty side for me, maybe next time I will decrease the salt and marinate for only 5 hours instead of overnight. Overall, it was tasty, just a tad too much sodium. Thanks for the recipe, Mel!
I made this recipe this week and it was wonderful! I’ve marinated before and not been impressed. I forgot the garlic and this was still out-of-this-world! I cut the chicken breasts in half, marinated overnight, and cooked in the grill pan. I will definitely make this one again! Thanks for another great recipe!
Made this and loved it!!!! I make it often now !! Thanks!
Tried this recipe….one word…divine! Thanks so much!
I just found your blog and am eager to try many of the recipes. I made this last night and everyone loved it including my 6 yo very picky son; he loved it and ate an entire chicken breast himself (usually I can hardly get him to eat one slice). Have you tried freezing raw chicken in the marinade to use later? I have been looking for a good marinade for some freezer meal prep.
Hi Hilary – I usually don’t freeze the meat in the marinade, especially if the marinade is really acidic, like this one. The chicken tends to get a burned look to it and doesn’t taste as good. You might try marinading the chicken, then discarding the marinade and freezing the raw chicken that had been sitting in the marinade. I would probably recommend that versus letting the chicken sit in the marinade through freezing and defrosting.
This sounds divine! I love lemon and chicken together. I featured it here. YUM!
Other than the garlic chicken pasta, what other uses you do use the chicken for? I made a ton today and the flavor was really great but I need to put it in something else.
Melanie – I use this in almost any recipe that calls for cooked, cubed (or shredded) chicken. I also serve it just the way it is alongside a baked potato or with some rice pilaf. Hope that helps!
I tried this recipe last night and it was amazing! I cut the breasts up and marinated it for 5 hours before grilling-it was great. Thanks for the great recipe!
Glad you liked this, Christiana – thanks for letting me know!
This is the best chicken marinade ever! So flavorful!
We made this on skewers for Mother’s Day. They were awesome. A small deli that has gone out of business sold premade kabobs with a similar marinade. I asked my husband if they compared and he said he liked them much more. Grilled nicely.
Sally – this chicken is delicious on skewers and I’m glad you enjoyed it that way! Great compliment from your husband…I’m thrilled they were such a hit.
bebemamakalei – I’ve never tried this on pork so I’m not sure how it would work. Let me know if you try it!
Hmmm… I made this chicken the other day & it tasted great.. tasted even better the next day. i wonder if this would work on pork?
Chicken is my favorite.This looks yummy and fresh!
Nicole – you are so sweet. Thanks for your comment. I doubt that it was me that taught you to cook – you obviously have the desire and talent – but I’m glad you’ve liked the recipes. Thanks for letting me know!
We just tried this tonight and I LOVED it!!! Actually, I have loved pretty much every recipe of yours I have tried! Keep them coming!
Hey, that’s a great way to describe this recipe – It will ROCK YOUR WORLD! 🙂 I couldn’t agree more! So glad I was able to introduce you to a yummy recipe like you have introduced me to so many! 🙂
Tried this last night with the pasta recipe, I thought it turned out great. Tried your fajita marinade recipe which my husband has placed up around his top 2 dinner faves. We also loved your sugar cookie recipe. Can you tell I love your blog? You’ve basically taught me to cook, thanks so much, I’ve been having lots more fun (and success) in the kitchen.
I LOVE anything chicken…the lemon/garlic combo sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a great, healthy meal! I can’t wait for grilling season.
Hi Yvonne – thanks for taking the time to let me know that you liked the marinated chicken and the pasta!
Jenny – thanks for your comment! And I love knowing you are a mom of three boys – it means you must be my soulmate. 🙂 Moms of boys have a bond like no other. Thanks for letting me know you’ve liked the recipes so far!
I must say that this chicken recipe looks devine and will be trying it this week. It will be perfect on the BBQ and with all the heat we have been having here in Australia I would prefer to be cooking outside rather than in the kitchen.Love the blog by the way.Take care – Jo
Bobbie – hmmm…I haven’t found the same to be true, although, I usually use the frozen chicken in a dish with other ingredients so maybe that masks the changes to texture. As for what I do – I usually only freeze chicken that has been marinated and then cooked (like this garlic lemon chicken) so that it retains a lot of flavor. Maybe that is what makes the difference, I’m not sure. If any other commenters have tips, chime in and give us feedback on freezing cooked chicken!
Oooh, I was just complaining about how tired I am of my chicken recipes, this one has me excited!
MMM you can’t go wrong with lemon and garlic on chicken!
That looks so yummy. You and I seem to have the same taste in food. I want to make EVERYTHING on your blog hehe.
I just came across your blog and the first recipe I see (this one lol) looks fabulous! I took out chicken breasts tonight so I won’t have time to marinate them but I think I’ll give this a try next time! Congrats on your new addition! 🙂
I’m definitely trying this…sounds delicious. And it’s healthy.
I find that when I freeze cooked chicken it becomes rubbery and taste less. Do you find this to be true and/or what do you do to prevent?
This sounds really good, you can’t go wrong with lemon chicken!
We had this last night and loved the flavor. The only problem is that it was a little on the salty side for my taste. Not sure if anyone else will have that problem….but when I make it again, I’ll reduce the salt. Thanks for a great new marinade!
Norah – I saw your blog post on this. I’m so glad you liked it! I could wax poetic about this chicken, it is that good!
Sounds great you have some good recipes. Thanks
well, i didn’t think it was possible, but this makes me look forward to summer and lots of grilling even more than i was. is it june yet? 🙂
Danielle – I LOVE getting comments from moms who say their kids ate the meal. I know how hard it is to please kiddos, so I’m so glad this was a hit!
a definite must try for me… 🙂
How could I not bookmark this when you say it’s going to rock my world!?
KA – thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you liked this – I’ve never noticed it being too salty but it’s good to know it may be too salty for some taste buds! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
This looks sooo delicious. I am sining up to receive your feeds. I so love your blog and choice of recipes!
I made this last night and it was a huge hit. Even my couldn’t-be-pickier two-year-old loved it. THAT is saying something. Thanks!
Lorie – I’m glad you liked the chicken and pasta! Those are the main recipes I have for the marinated chicken on my blog but it can be used in so many ways. Once it is marinated, you could also definitely use it in the Garlic Chicken Pasta: http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/04/garlic-chicken-pasta-with-spinach.html
Marci – thanks for letting me know you liked this. Your comment was so sweet – it made me feel great. Thank you!
I totally agree, that looks like it would be wonderful in a salad!!
It would be so good in a salad! A perfect summer meal for guests, too. And I love to grill – less mess to clean!
Jan – thanks for making my day. Your comment was so nice and I am especially glad you like this recipe. It is hands down one of my favorite ways to make chicken!
Loved this chicken. I usually do not like fruity chicken but this one was great. It was the main dish in my Greek inspired dinner Saturday. Thanks for sharing. I added it to my blog.
This was great, and the Lemon cream pasta made with the leftovers was an even bigger hit. Thank you!
This looks so good! I love lemon and garlic chicken.
I am loving your blog. I have made 4 recipes in the last week. Made the chicken last night. Some of the best grilled chicken I’ve ever had and it was so yummy with the pasta. I loved it. I am a mom to 3 boys which make me like you even more. I only wish they would like something other than hot dogs and chicken nuggets.
Thanks,
Jenny
Yum, yum! We eat tons of chicken at our house so I am always looking for new ways to fix it – can’t wait to try this one when we get home from Utah!
lemon, garlik on chikenn is fantastic.. yumm!!!! Thanks for the round up of yummies!
cheers!!
Hi! What other recipes do you have posted for this chicken? I made the Lemon cream sauce pasta with this chicken and it was DELISH!
Thanks!
Lorie
Your recipes never disappoint! We made this chicken on the grill last night and I cannot believe how flavorful the marinade was! Totally DELICIOUS! Tonight I am going to use the leftovers to make the lemon cream pasta and I can’t wait! The lemony/garlic combo is so perfect for Summer IMO – yummm!!! These few ingredients really packed a punch, I am thrilled to have a go-to marinade for chicken for all the grilling nights ahead – thank you!!!