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Fresh Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

fresh grilled lemon herb chicken - featured image

A quick and easy grilled chicken recipe with a bright lemon herb marinade and summer vegetables, perfect for a light and flavorful summer dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
  • 2 lemons, zested and juiced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, whole
  • 1 small red onion, sliced into rings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for tossing the veggies)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh thyme, rosemary, honey, salt, and black pepper. This should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour half the marinade over the chicken, seal or cover, and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Do not marinate longer than an hour.
  3. Prepare the vegetables: Toss the zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion with the remaining marinade and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 205°C).
  5. Grill the chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and place on the grill. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, turning once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Grill the vegetables: Place the vegetables on the grill in a grill basket or directly on the grates. Turn frequently until tender and slightly charred, about 8-10 minutes total.
  7. Rest and serve: Remove chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve alongside the grilled vegetables, garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken longer than 1 hour to avoid toughening. Pat chicken dry before marinating to improve browning. Oil grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking. Use tongs to flip chicken once per side. For indoor cooking, use a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, lemon herb chicken, summer dinner, easy chicken recipe, grilled vegetables, healthy dinner, quick dinner