Have you tried grilling chicken with lemon before? It can make the chicken super juicy and flavorful. This article shares 4 easy tips for perfectly grilled lemon chicken:
- Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes before grilling
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking
- Let the grilled chicken rest for 5-10 minutes
- Add fresh lemon juice and herbs when serving
Grilling lemon chicken doesn’t have to be difficult. Following these simple tips will help your chicken be tender, moist, and bursting with lemon flavor. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
Tip 1: Let the Chicken Marinate
The first important tip is to marinate the chicken for about 30 minutes before grilling. This allows the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and seasoning to soak into the meat.
The marinade is easy – you need:
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Lemon zest
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Oregano, salt and pepper
Mix those ingredients in a bowl or zip-top bag. Then, add the chicken breasts and toss them to coat them in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
Marinating for a short time makes a big difference! The lemon flavor gets absorbed, and the chicken stays nice and tender when grilled. Just wait to marinate for more than 2 hours, or the acid can make the texture tough.
Tip 2: Use a Meat Thermometer
Photo Credit – Freepik
Tip number two is using a meat thermometer. This little tool is inexpensive but so helpful for preventing chicken from overcooking!
Once the marinated chicken hits the grill, let it cook for 5-7 minutes before flipping. This gives it nice grill marks. Then, keep grilling until the thermometer reads 160ยฐF in the thickest part.
Once you remove the chicken from the grill, it will continue cooking a bit more. So, taking it off at 160ยฐF allows the inside to finish cooking through to a safe 165ยฐF without drying out.
Tip 3: Let It Rest
The third important tip is to let the grilled chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting it or serving it.
During this rest time, the juices are absorbed and redistributed through the meat, making the chicken incredibly tender and moist when you bite into it.
If you slice right away, some of those tasty juices will run out onto the plate instead of staying in the chicken. So have patienceโlet it rest!
Tip 4: Brighten with Lemon and Herbs
The fourth tip for perfect lemon grilled chicken is to add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice over the top when serving. This final hit of bright lemon really makes the flavor pop.
You can also sprinkle on some chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or other herbs you enjoy. The herbs add an extra layer of fresh aroma and flavor.
Serve your juicy lemon chicken over a salad, with rice or pasta, or enjoy it on its own! No matter how you eat it, taking these simple tips will ensure it comes out tender, moist, and delicious every time.
What will you cook your grilled lemon chicken with? Let us know if you try this easy recipe!
Photo Credit – Unsplash
