Grilled Lemon Chicken

5 from 1052 votes

Grilled lemon chicken is a tender, juicy and savory grilling recipe that is perfect for summer. It's light, healthy and beaming with Mediterranean flavor!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Grilled Lemon Chicken is a quintessential grilling recipe that’s very basic in ingredients, but rich in flavor! The lemony marinade is made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and oregano, which creates a tender and juicy grilled chicken recipe. Pair it with a salad, grilled vegetables or quinoa for a healthy delicious dinner any day of the week!

Grilled Lemon Chicken breasts on a plate with lemons and parsley
Want to save this recipe?
Just type your email below and I’ll send it to you. And as a bonus you’ll get delicious new recipes from me!

If you’re intimated by grilling chicken, I used to be as well. But it really just comes down to two important things:

  1. Marinade: How you marinate the chicken will not only flavor the dish, but it can also help to make it more juicy. My grilled lemon chicken marinade is made with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano and garlic. The acid from the lemon helps tenderize the chicken. Just be careful to not let it marinate too long.
  2. Chicken temperature: Over-cooked chicken is just not as enjoyable. So getting that perfectly grilled chicken breast will depend a lot on checking for the internal temperature using a thermometer. That’s the fail-proof method!

RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL

Grilled lemon chicken marinade

Here’s what you’ll need for the grilled lemon chicken marinade. It has a Mediterranean flavor to it and I haven’t found anyone who doesn’t enjoy it!

  • Lemon juice: Make sure it’s freshly squeezed for the best flavor. If you’re inclined, you can even zest some of the lemon to include in the marinade.
  • Olive oil: You can use regular olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. The more refined the olive oil, the higher the smoking point. And it’s also much healthier than using vegetable oil.
  • Garlic: Use fresh pressed garlic for best flavor. If you can make incisions into the chicken breast, the garlic cloves will enhance the flavor even more that way.
  • Oregano: I use dried oregano since the fresh oregano tends to look black after grilling. I love the way oregano pairs with lemon juice. You can substitute with any dried herbs though like thyme, rosemary, basil or parsley.
Collage of chicken breasts before and after the marinade is added

Allow the grilled lemon chicken marinade to do its magic. And half hour later, the chicken color will brighten and you’ll notice the marinade actually breaks down the chicken lightly. And that’s your cue to fire up the grill!

Chicken breasts in bowl after half hour of marinating

After they’re cooked, make sure to let the chicken breast rest for 5 minutes and serve it up with grilled vegetables, a salad, rice or quinoa.

Plate with grilled lemon chicken, zucchini and asparagus

Tips for making grilled lemon chicken

  1. Allow the chicken to marinate. This is the time to allow the lemony flavor to infuse the chicken. You only need 20-30 minutes, and no longer than 6 hours to avoid tough chicken.
  2. Place chicken on preheated grill and don’t move it. You want to cook it for 5-7 minutes, and you can press down on it with a spatula or grilling tongs. This lets it fully sear and it will release more easily when it’s fully cooked on one side. And plus it gives those nice grill marks we all like!
  3. Use a thermometer to indicate doneness. This is the most precise way of telling if the chicken is done and to avoid dry chicken. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 160°F degrees for white chicken breast or 165°F degrees for dark meat.
  4. Rest the chicken before cutting. This tip is important because it allows the juices to redistribute themselves back through the chicken after cooking. It’s basically what keeps the chicken juicy.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should I grill chicken breast?

Using a thermometer is the most precise way of telling if the grilled chicken done. Generally when the indicator reaches 165°F you know the chicken is ready. Many grilling experts even suggest 165°F for dark meat and 160°F for white chicken breast.

How long to grill chicken breast?

This will depend on the size and cut of the chicken breast you’re using. But if you’re grilling a standard 6 ounce chicken breast, grill it for 5-7 minutes on one side without touching it. Then use tongs to flip it over and grill for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until a thermometer reaches 160-165°F.

Can you marinate the chicken overnight?

No, I do not recommend marinating the chicken overnight. For most chicken marinades, it’s a great idea to marinate overnight. But since the lemon juice makes up such a big part of this recipe, I would not recommend it here. You can marinate for a few hours, but any longer than that will result in tough and chewy chicken.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes, chicken thighs work very well for this recipe. And since they have dark meat, the internal temperature will be slightly higher than the white chicken breast. You may also need to cook for a couple minutes longer on each side, depending on the size and cut of the chicken thighs.

Plate with sliced grilled chicken, asparagus and zucchini

Grilled lemon chicken is a basic and versatile recipe to make for the family, guests or yourself for a healthy flavorful meal. The chicken is juicy, tender, savory and bursting with a bright lemony Mediterranean flavor. Grilling the chicken enhances the lemon flavor and makes it absolutely irresistible during the summer

If you like this grilled lemon chicken, try:

If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feel good Grilled Lemon Chicken recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!

preorder MY book

The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook is now available everywhere books are sold!

Grilled Lemon Chicken

Grilled lemon chicken is a tender, juicy and savory grilling recipe that is perfect for summer. It's light, healthy and beaming with Mediterranean flavor!
5 from 1052 votes
Servings 6 servings
Course Entree
Calories 216
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 6 6 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice plus the zest for the lemons
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 4 garlic cloves pressed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • parsley or cilantro for serving
  • lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Pat chicken dry and pound chicken if some parts are too thick. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl or resealable freezer bag. Add chicken and toss well to combine. Marinate for at least 30 minute
  • Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Place chicken on the grill for 5-7 minutes. Use tongs to flip over and cook until juices run dry, approximately 5-7 more minutes. Discard extra marinade
  • Remove chicken from the grill. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges and vegetables, if desired.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 326mg, Potassium: 445mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 45IU, Vitamin C: 5.9mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American
Course: Entree

Rate and comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. This dish was wonderful! I ended up having some extra time so marinated the chicken for about 90 minutes. It turned out wonderful and my kids and husband loved it! I will definitely make it again!

  2. No exaggeration, this is at least the fifth Sunday in a row that I have this marinating in the frig to be grilled. My family loves it (including twin 7yo boys 🙌🏼), and it reminds me of Sundays at my Sittu & Jiddu’s.

  3. Had it in the marinade for a couple of hours, the flavour was lovely, especially charred on the bbq. Really enjoyed it

  4. Could you grill in advance and serve it cold with the Mediterranean potato salad? Would be making this for a party.

  5. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Could I make the same recipe in an airfryer if yes what will be setting?

    1. You’re so welcome! You could, but I haven’t tested for the timing and temperature of this recipe in the air fryer yet.

  6. No surprise… another amazing recipe! Wanted a grilled chicken today and this was absolutely delicious. Cooked it up on an indoor grill and it turned out perfect. And thank you for including macros and tips & tricks! 🙂

    1. Made this tonight for my husband and son and it was so delicious, the chicken was moist and so tasty! Easy peasy to make too and much healthier than a store bought marinade.

  7. Looks really yummy and I can’t wait to see what the family think’s, I just hope I can save the ingredients list etc to make it, not everyone puts it on their page.

  8. I prepare this with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. I have prepared it for two dinner parties, and in both cases I was asked for the recipe. Thank you, Yumna!

    1. That’s so exciting! I would just use a thermometer to tell if the grilled chicken done. Generally when the indicator reaches 165°F you know the chicken is ready. Many grilling experts even suggest 165°F for dark meat and 160°F for white chicken breast.

  9. This was so amazingly delicious!!! And so easy to make which makes it even better! Thank you so much Yumna for the wonderful recipes and tricks that you share with us! I also did not know about lemons causing the chicken to be tough if you marinate it for too long. Thanks for the advice and everything that you do.

  10. Great content! I find it interesting that you include details along with your recipes! keep the good work up 🙂

  11. This was really delicious and easy to make. I will definitely make it again. Thank you for the comment on not marinating chicken too long when using lemon. I learned something new 😉

  12. This recipe is amazing! I tried it with some of my “daring” vegetarian chicken and it was my all time favourite!

  13. Love, love, love this! The flavors are excellent – it’s so good cooked on the grilled with a side of veggies and quinoa! I absolutely love the lemony tang that the lemon juice and oregano give! A definite staple in our home!

  14. Amazing. I even made it from some of our rooster meat which tends to be tough and it was tender as can be!!

  15. This was great! I added chopped carrots and celery (after the toasting rice step) to give the dish a little more fullness because I was feeding more people.

  16. This was so delicious and so easy to prepare. My husband was so impressed he said it was the best chicken breast he had in his life. I had my husband bbq them, and the key was the thermometer. I always overcooked my breast before and it came out so dry, however, with this recipe, the chicken was full of flavor ( the lemon and olive truly soaked the breast) and so tender! This recipe Is especially perfect for those who meal prep. I made a batch for 5 days, and even with heating on my foreman after 2-3 days, it tasted delicious. I hope to see more easy and healthy recipes such as this one on your blog. ❤️❤️❤️

    1. I think pan searing would be great – just 5-7 minutes per side without moving it when you set it down on the pan. Enjoy it!

  17. Excellent! I made alittle extra marinade to drizzle over the chicken before serving. So simple and so good!

  18. Yesterday I tried this recipe and it’s so so good. I actually forgot the lemon cest, but added some fresh thyme and rosemary. I also used the marinade for the veggies and it was delicious.

  19. LOVED the grilled lemon chicken! It was a big hit at a dinner party this weekend! Yummy! Thanks again!

  20. I have to tell you that I’ve tried at least 5-7 of your recipes and I’m a big fan. Grilled the lemon chicken today and it came out very juicy and flavorful. Thanks so much!

    1. Aww thank so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed all the recipes you tried so far. Makes me so happy to hear!!

  21. Such a great and easy recipe! First recipe I tried on my new gas grill and was absolutely delicious!

    1. I recommend 30 minutes to 6 hours. Don’t go over 6 hours because the chicken will become tough and chewy then.

  22. Woooow…..Homemade!!! It’s the only thing that taste good! And so easy to do…

    I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!

    Dang Thai from Embeya!

  23. Thank you so very much. My boys and husband were so pleased with this recipe. I was totally proud of myself for nailing it. The chicken was so moist and tasty.

    1. Aww I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m proud of you for nailing it!