Lemon-Herb Chicken Breast Marinade (Grill, Oven or Stovetop)
This versatile chicken breast marinade is light and simple as can be! Marinated chicken breasts can be grilled, baked in the oven or cooked in a pan on the stovetop. Mix this zippy marinade with Mediterranean-style ingredients from the pantry, including olive oil, garlic, aromatic herbs and fresh lemon juice.
Ingredients
Enough marinade for 4-6 chicken breasts, or up to 2 pounds chicken parts
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice from 1-2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic 1-2 cloves, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper or to taste
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano or tarragon; or 2 teaspoons dried herb of your choice
Instructions
- Put the lemon juice into a medium bowl. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and whisk until the salt dissolves.
- Add the olive oil, red pepper and herbs. Whisk to combine.
- Put the chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the marinade over. Turn the pieces to coat on both sides. Marinate at room temperature 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- To marinate the chicken up to 6 hours ahead, place the chicken in a bowl or heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over and flip the chicken with tongs, or squish the bag with your hands to distribute the liquid evenly.
Notes
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- Grilled chicken breasts: This marinade is perfect for grilled chicken breasts. Grill them on a medium-hot grill about 5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- To bake the chicken, arrange the breasts on a sheet pan or baking dish. Bake 20 minutes in a preheated 425-degree oven, turning the chicken over halfway through.
- Stovetop: Sear in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until brown on one side. Turn them over and cook until the second side is browned, 3-4 minutes. Lower the heat, cover the pan and cook until the pieces are cooked through.
- Personalize your marinade with spices! Add a teaspoon of cumin, paprika, or Dijon mustard to the basic mixture.
- Marinating times:
- This marinade has a high ratio of acidity from citrus juices, which means it will work quickly to season and tenderize; 15-30 minutes at room temperature is ideal.
- To plan and meal prep ahead of time, transfer the marinade and chicken pieces to a bowl or plastic zip-top freezer bag and refrigerate 4-6 hours. Any longer than that and the meat tends to turn mushy.
- Place the bag of marinated chicken directly into the freezer for longer storage. Freeze 1-2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.3gFat: 14gSodium: 588mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1g
