Description
This Perfect Grilled Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a zesty lemon garlic marinade. Easy to prepare and grill, it’s a healthy main course ideal for salads, pastas, or alongside grilled vegetables. The marinade enhances the chicken with savory spices and ensures a tender, evenly cooked result every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness. This step helps ensure even cooking across each piece.
- Make Marinade: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and lemon juice. Stir the ingredients well to create a balanced marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Rub the marinade thoroughly over each chicken breast, coating all sides. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15–30 minutes to absorb the flavors. For deeper flavor, you can marinate in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, readying it for cooking the chicken.
- Grill Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot grill. Cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, flipping once, until grill marks appear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), indicating the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This resting period helps retain juices. Slice as desired and serve immediately, pairing with salads, pastas, or grilled vegetables.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken ensures each breast cooks evenly, preventing dryness.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours instead of 15–30 minutes.
- This grilled chicken pairs wonderfully with fresh salads, warm pasta dishes, or grilled vegetables.
