Summer is in full swing, so it’s the perfect time to fire up the grill and try out some delicious recipes. If you’re looking for something that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor, Grilled Lemon Chicken is the perfect choice. This recipe is a classic for a reason, with the tangy freshness of lemon and the savory kick of black pepper coming together to create a mouth-watering dish. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, it’s healthy, too! Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just looking for a quick weeknight dinner, Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken is sure to please. In this post, I provide you with the recipe plus grilling tips, variations, and serving suggestions.
Table of Contents
- You’re Going Love This Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken!
- Ingredients Needed for Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Preparing the Chicken Before Grilling
- How to Grill Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Tips for Grilling Lemon Pepper Chicken Perfectly
- Serving Suggestions for Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
- How to Store Grilled Lemon Chicken
- Health Benefits of Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Variations on Grilled Lemon Chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions about Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
You’re Going Love This Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken!
Here are the reasons why this recipe has become a favorite in our house:
- Flavorful. This grilled chicken has a delightful balance of tangy and zesty flavors.
- Light and refreshing. Grilled chicken is a healthier option compared to fried or sauced dishes. The addition of lemon gives it a refreshing brightness, and the pepper adds depth.
- Easy to make. No special cooking techniques or tools are required for this recipe! And, the ingredients are all available at the local grocery store.
- Versatile. This grilled chicken can be served as a main dish with a few sides, on top of a salad, or as the base of many different sandwiches or wraps.
- Customizable. While the basic recipe calls for lemon and pepper, you can customize it to your tastes – add spices, fresh herbs, or even use different cuts of chicken (like thighs or wings).
- Healthy. Grilled chicken breasts are a lean source of protein, and the addition of lemon and pepper provides health benefits – lemons are rich in vitamin C, while black pepper contains antioxidants.
Ingredients Needed for Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
The ingredients you need for this recipe are probably already in your pantry, and if not, they’re easy to find at your local grocery store. You’ll need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemons
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon pepper seasoning (can substitute fresh ground black pepper)
- Kosher salt
- Vegetable, canola, or other high smoke point oil, for oiling the grill grates
To get the best flavor, use fresh lemons and high-quality olive oil.
Preparing the Chicken Before Grilling
Before you start grilling, prepare the chicken:
- Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Butterfly breasts and cut in half.
- Place chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Add to chicken, seal bag, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
How to Grill Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Drain and season chicken.
Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off any excess liquid; pat dry. Sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with lemon pepper and salt. - Oil grill grates.
When grill is hot, using tongs, dip a folded paper towel in vegetable oil and rub it over the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking. Stand back from the grill, in case of any flare-ups. (I also wear an oven mitt.) - Grill chicken.
Place seasoned chicken breasts on the grill, leaving space between each piece. Cover and cook the chicken for about 2 to 4 on each side minutes (depending on thickness), or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. - Let rest.
Remove from grill, place on a serving dish, cover, and set aside to rest for around 5 minutes.
Is it better to grill chicken covered or uncovered?
For this recipe, given that the chicken breasts are boneless, skinless, and thinner, I recommend grilling them covered. The breasts will retain more moisture and, as a result, be more tender and juicy. Covering the chicken while grilling traps the heat around the chicken and maintains a more even cooking temperature.
Tips for Grilling Lemon Pepper Chicken Perfectly
To make sure your Grilled Lemon Chicken turns out perfectly every time, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Butterfly and halve large breasts, pound smaller ones. For consistent cooking, butterfly and halve large (7 to 8 ounce) chicken breasts. If you have smaller breasts with varying thickness, gently pound the thicker end, to ensure the breasts cook evenly.
- Don’t marinate the chicken for more than 2 hours. Any longer, the acid in the lemon juice can start to break down the chicken.
- Oil grill grates after preheating. If you oil your grates when you start preheating the grill, all the oil will cook off by the time you put on the chicken. Oiling right before adding the chicken will keep it from sticking – and give you nice grill marks.
- Don’t overcrowd the grill. Make sure to leave space between each piece of chicken to allow the heat to circulate, resulting in more even cooking.
- Place chicken breasts at an angle. To achieve the best grill marks on chicken breasts, position them diagonally on the grill. The angled placement enhances the visual appeal, creating a more pleasing presentation when done.
- Don’t overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and remove the chicken from the grill once it reaches 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest. After you remove the chicken from the grill, let it rest for around 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This will help the juices redistribute and keep the chicken moist.
Serving Suggestions for Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
Grilled lemon pepper chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Here are some ideas:
- Serve as a main dish with two of these sides:
- Add it to a sandwich or wrap. Grilled chicken is an excellent base for a sandwich or wrap. Add a slice of cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and mustard for a delicious lunch!
- Add it to your favorite salad. It’s particularly delicious atop:
How to Store Grilled Lemon Chicken
If you have leftover grilled chicken, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Health Benefits of Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
Grilled lemon pepper chicken is not only delicious, but it’s also a healthy option. Here are some of the health benefits of this dish:
- High in protein. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which is important for building and repairing muscle tissue.
- Low in fat and calories. By removing the skin from the chicken and using minimal oil in the marinade, you can keep this dish low in fat and calories.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals. Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, while black pepper contains antioxidants.
- Gluten-free. This recipe is naturally gluten-free!
Variations on Grilled Lemon Chicken
While the classic grilled lemon pepper chicken recipe is delicious as is, there are many variations you can try to mix things up. Here are a few ideas:
- Add herbs. Try adding some fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the marinade for an extra burst of flavor.
- Use different citrus. Lemon is a classic choice, but you can also try using lime juice.
- Mix up the spices. Instead of black pepper, sprinkle the chicken breasts with smoked paprika, cumin, and/or chili powder before grilling. Or, for a bit of a kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Use different cuts of chicken. While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice, you can also try using chicken thighs or wings for a different texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
Yes, you can use this marinade on other types of meat – I like it with pork, shrimp, or fish.
Yes, you can use a grill pan or a cast-iron skillet to grill this recipe indoors if you don’t have an outdoor grill.
You can marinate the chicken for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Any longer and the acid in the lemon juice can start to break down the chicken.
For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice. If you have to use bottled, just make sure to look for a brand that doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives.
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
Summer is in full swing, so it’s the perfect time to fire up the grill and try out some delicious recipes. If you’re looking for something that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor, Grilled Lemon Chicken is the perfect choice. This recipe is a classic for a reason, with the tangy freshness of lemon and the savory kick of black pepper coming together to create a mouth-watering dish. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, it’s healthy, too! Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just looking for a quick weeknight dinner, Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken is sure to please.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Marinating Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 6 mins
- Total Time: 41 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 large (7 to 8 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied and split – see Note
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (around 1 1/2 to 2 lemons)
- 2 large garlic cloves, chopped or pressed
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper, or more to taste
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup vegetable, canola, or other high smoke point oil, for oiling the grill grates
Instructions
- Before you start grilling, prepare the chicken: rinse breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Add to chicken, seal bag, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off any excess liquid; pat dry. Sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with lemon pepper and salt.
- When grill is hot, using tongs, dip a folded paper towel in vegetable oil and rub it over the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking. Stand back from the grill, in case of any flare-ups. (I also wear an oven mitt.)
- Place seasoned chicken breasts on the grill at an angle, leaving space between each piece.
- Cook chicken for about 2 to 4 minutes on each side (depending on thickness), or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from grill, place on a serving dish, cover, and set aside to rest for around 5 minutes.
Notes
Note on chicken breasts: Chicken breast sizes can vary significantly, with organic breasts generally being larger than non-organic ones. If you have a smaller chicken breasts (4 to 6 ounce), use 4 to 6 breasts and, instead of butterflying, pound the thicker end a few times. This technique helps to even out the thickness and ensure that the entire breast cooks evenly.
- Category: main dish, quick and easy
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 253
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 270.6 mg
- Fat: 13.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.8 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 103.4 mg
