Description
This recipe for the Best Grilled Chicken features tender, flavorful boneless skinless chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and lemon zest, then perfectly grilled to juicy perfection. It’s an easy and healthy main course ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue.
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 each chicken breast in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag and use a meat mallet to pound them to an even ½-inch thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the marinade: In a 1-gallon zip-lock bag, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken until evenly coated. Seal the bag and place it in a bowl in the refrigerator to prevent leaks. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat and oil the grill: Preheat your grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot grill, cover, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Avoid overcooking to keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled chicken to a platter and serve immediately. Enjoy as a main course with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to deepen the flavors.
- If you don’t have a meat mallet, use the bottom of a heavy skillet to pound the chicken.
- You can substitute dried herbs with fresh if available, using about 3 times the amount of dried.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken on a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat.
- The nutritional information includes the entire marinade; actual intake per serving may be lower depending on how much marinade remains.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 4 oz cooked)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 515 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
