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
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ 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
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from my sis-in-law, Erin W.
Recipe originally posted February 2009; updated August 2019
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!!!