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Flavorful Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe with 5 Easy Variations

marinated grilled chicken breast - featured image

A juicy, tender grilled chicken breast recipe featuring a bright lemon-garlic marinade and five delicious variations. Perfect for quick dinners, BBQs, and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (68 ounces each)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt (Kosher or sea salt preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If very thick, butterfly or pound to about 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and any optional herbs or variation ingredients.
  3. Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking. Alternatively, preheat a grill pan or cast iron skillet on stovetop.
  5. Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  7. Slice against the grain and serve with desired sides.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 6 hours to avoid mushy texture. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. Let chicken rest 5 minutes after grilling to keep it juicy. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Variations can be made by adding different spices or ingredients to the marinade.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken breast, marinated chicken, easy chicken recipe, lemon garlic chicken, healthy dinner, quick dinner, BBQ chicken