Description
A simple and flavorful grilled chicken recipe featuring a zesty marinade made with garlic, herbs, lemon zest, and olive oil. This dish is perfect for a quick and delicious main course that is perfectly juicy and tender.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1¾ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons lemon zest, from one lemon
Instructions
- Pound the Chicken: One at a time, place the chicken breasts in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag and use a meat mallet to pound them to an even ½-inch thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a clean 1-gallon zip-lock bag, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Add the chicken breasts to the bag and massage the marinade into the meat until evenly coated. Seal the bag tightly.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the sealed bag in a bowl in the refrigerator to prevent any leakage. Let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Preheat the Grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to high heat and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the preheated grill and cook covered for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcook to keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled chicken breasts to a platter and serve immediately. Enjoy your flavorful and tender grilled chicken.
Notes
- Use a meat mallet to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Marinate overnight for deeper flavor and juicier chicken.
- Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking.
- Monitor cooking time carefully to avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken.
- Nutritional information includes entire marinade; actual calories per serving are lower.
- You can substitute dried herbs with fresh ones, doubling the quantity for more vibrant flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast (approximately 4.5 oz)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
