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Juicy grilled lemon chicken breasts on a white platter with lemon slices and parsley

Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken

Juicy grilled lemon chicken breasts marinated with fresh lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, then grilled until tender, lightly charred, and full of bright lemon garlic flavor.
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Keyword: boneless skinless chicken breasts, easy grilled chicken, grill pan chicken, healthy grilled chicken, meal prep chicken, summer grilling recipes, weeknight chicken dinner
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 257kcal
Author: Jennifer Locklin
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Ingredients

Instructions

Prep

  • Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound thicker areas until the pieces are an even thickness.
    4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
    ¼ cup olive oil, zest and juice of 1 large lemon, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Add the chicken and turn to coat all sides with the marinade.
    4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Cook

  • Heat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off.
    4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Arrange the chicken on the hot grill.
  • Cook for 5 to 7 minutes on the first side.
  • Turn the chicken and continue cooking for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the juices run clear.
  • Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Assemble

  • Sprinkle the chicken with chopped parsley.
    chopped fresh parsley
  • Serve with fresh lemon wedges alongside.
    lemon wedges

Notes

Substitutions

  • Chicken thighs may be used in place of chicken breasts; adjust cooking time as needed.
  • Fresh oregano can be substituted for dried oregano. Use about 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano.
  • Avocado oil works well in place of olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

  • Pair with grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, or a simple green salad.
  • Slice leftovers and use them in wraps, grain bowls, or pasta dishes.

Storage

  • Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

  • Freeze cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • The uncooked chicken can also be frozen in the marinade for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before grilling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 piece | Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 568mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.