This easy lemon chicken marinade is simply the best! Marinating with lemon not only adds tons of flavor, but it also helps tenderize the chicken. This lemon marinated grilled chicken comes out so flavorful, moist, and juicy inside.
This lemon marinade is made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper. That’s all, simple and easy!
The chicken needs to marinate for a maximum of 3 hours. You can use this marinade for chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings. It’s very versatile!
Chicken is one of the most versatile proteins out there. By itself, it’s pretty neutral in flavor, but once you marinate it, it can be super flavorful and tender.
I love this lemon chicken marinade recipe because it is simple and flavorful. It also does a great job keeping the chicken really moist and tender.
The lemon chicken marinade is super simple – you only need 7 ingredients for the marinade itself: lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic Italian herb seasoning, salt and pepper.
Make the Lemon Marinade & Marinate
- In a large resealable plastic bag, whisk all the marinade ingredients: olive oil, lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Remember to zest the lemons before cutting it.
- Add the chicken to the marinade, making sure it’s fully and evenly coated, and then seal the bag. Note: I like using resealable bags to ensure the delicious marinate coats every inch of the chicken.
- Marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours, a maximum of 3 hours. Longer than 3 hours can turn the chicken tough, rubbery, or even mushy.
Prepping the chicken: Make sure the chicken breasts are pounded to ½ inch thick before adding it to the marinade. This will ensure even flavors and even cooking later on, which will also help keep the chicken moist and juicy.
Why marinate for 2-3 hours only: Lemon-based marinades are great to keep chicken tender, but when left for too long, the acid starts breaking down the proteins too much, causing it to be tough, rubbery, and even mushy. Marinate for no more than 3 hours for best results. This will be plenty of time for the flavors to develop.
How to Make This Recipe
This recipe basically consists of two main parts: 1) making the marinade and marinating the chicken, and then 2) cooking the chicken. The best way to cook it is on the grill or on a skillet (pan-seared), but you can also bake it.
Detailed instructions and quantities can be found in the recipe card below, as always, but here’s an overview to give you an idea, plus a few helpful tips!
6 EASY CHICKEN MARINADES | amazing chicken breast recipe + freezer friendly meal prep
FAQ
What happens when you marinate chicken in lemon juice?
How long can you marinate meat in lemon juice?
Should I soak my chicken in lemon juice?
What does putting a lemon in a chicken do?
How do you marinate chicken in lemon juice?
Simply marinate your favorite chicken in lemon juice, oil, garlic, and herbs then grill it, bake it, or freeze it for later! Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and garlic into a small bowl. Place the chicken in a shallow bowl or baking dish and pour the marinade over the top.
Can You marinate grilled chicken with lemon?
Marinating with lemon not only adds tons of flavor, but it also helps tenderize the chicken. This lemon marinated grilled chicken comes out so flavorful, moist, and juicy inside. This lemon marinade is made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper. That’s all, simple and easy!
What is the best lemon chicken marinade?
The best Lemon Chicken Marinade is done in just a few minutes with simple, healthy, ingredients: olive oil, lemon & basil. Juicy & tender!
How long to marinate chicken with lemon marinade?
Here’s a guide for how long to marinate chicken using this lemon marinade: Chicken Breasts: Aim for 30 minutes to 2 hours maximum. For extra tenderizing, pound breasts to an even thickness before marinating. Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: These cuts are naturally more forgiving, so marinating for 2 to 4 hours is ideal.