Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken to Impress
I’m a sucker for grilled meals that feel a little special but don’t demand hours of fussing, and a quick easy marinade tricks everyone into thinking this lemon and garlic grilled chicken is way more elaborate than it really is. Tangy, savory, smoky, and surprisingly forgiving. Serve with Medi-inspired sides like Mediterranean chickpea salad, couscous and tzatziki.

Why You’ll Love Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken
- Bright Citrus + Mellow Garlic: The lemon gives brightness, the garlic gives depth, and olive oil helps everything meld.
- Simple and Adjustable: The herbs are negotiable since the feature actors (lime and garlic) go with so many different flavors.
- Versatile sides: This chicken is like a blank canvas. It loves greens, roasted veggies, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes. You pretty much can’t go wrong when picking a side.
Ingredients

How To Make Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken






Serving Ideas
- With a crisp Greek salad like this Mediterranean chickpea salad
- Over zucchini ribbons or grilled asparagus
- On a bed of herbed couscous or quinoa
- Pulled and tossed into wraps, tacos, or grain bowls
- With a dollop of tzatziki or a drizzle of garlicky yogurt sauce
Tips and Notes
- Boneless is easier: If you don’t like chicken rare and pink around the bones, go for boneless. It cooks more quickly and evenly.
- Thighs over breasts: Breastmeat dries out pretty fast, the little bit of fat in the thighs keeps this chicken nice and moist.
- Don’t overcook: Chicken on the grill can get tough and dry if overdone. I always check the juice color: dark pink/red=rare, light pink=medium rare, clear=well done.
- No grill? Use a grill pan or cast iron skillet and sear hard, then finish in a hot oven. You can still get that delicious crust.
- Leftovers are incredible in wraps, sandwiches, or cold over salad the next day. Sometimes I even toss strips over a bowl of rice and call it lunch.
Serve with Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This fresh, crunchy salad is a perfect accompaniment for bright, citrusy chicken, getting in some fruits and veggies. Don’t forget tzatziki, too!

Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken
This delicious lemon and garlic grilled chicken brings the flavor and the freshness. Serve at your next BBQ with Mediterranean-inspired sides like chickpea salad, tzatziki and couscous.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 lemons
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cut and juice the lemons. Add to a small bowl.
- Mince garlic and add to lemon juice. Add olive oil, salt, pepper and italian seasoning and whisk.
- Add chicken to a large bowl or ziplock type bag. Pour marinade over and make sure it mixes in well and chicken is fully covered.
- Marinate in the fridge for at least one hour but the longer the better. Overnight is great.
- Remove chicken from fridge and turn on grill to medium-high heat. When grill is heated, grill chicken for about 5 minutes on each side. Chicken should have a slight char but not be burned.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken
Serving Size
-26 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
215
% Daily Value*
Fat
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
4
g
Cholesterol
144
mg
48
%
Sodium
523
mg
23
%
Potassium
437
mg
12
%
Carbohydrates
4
g
1
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
1
g
1
%
Protein
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
59
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
19
mg
23
%
Calcium
39
mg
4
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.