Description
A flavorful and easy grilled chicken recipe marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and lemon zest. Perfectly grilled to juicy perfection, this dish works great as a main course for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1¾ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons lemon zest, from one lemon
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: One at a time, place the chicken breasts in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag. Using a meat mallet, pound each breast to an even ½-inch thickness for uniform cooking.
- Make Marinade and Marinate: Combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade bag and massage to coat evenly. Seal the bag and place it in a bowl in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to high heat. Once hot, oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking.
- Grill Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook covered for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Avoid overcooking to keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled chicken to a platter and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Marinating overnight will enhance flavor and tenderness significantly.
- Use a meat mallet or rolling pin for pounding chicken evenly if a meat mallet is unavailable.
- Make sure grill grates are well oiled to prevent sticking.
- Check internal temperature to ensure chicken is cooked through; it should reach 165°F.
- Leftover grilled chicken can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days and used in salads or sandwiches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
