If you live in the US, chances are you eat around 118 pounds of chicken every single year. And while that’s the national average, chicken gets boring when it’s served the same old way. Try this lemon chicken marinade with herbs and garlic for a new way to enjoy a classic protein.
The acid from the lemon juice helps tenderize the chicken meat, while the herbs and spices give it a great flavor. Perfect for throwing on the grill for a warm summer night!
Lemon Chicken Marinade
Chicken is such a versatile (and affordable) protein and we use it frequently in our home. Everything from easy, Crockpot meals like salsa chicken to mouthwatering Italian chopped chicken salad. I especially love marinades because they infuse the flavor into the meat for even better taste.
This recipe calls for fresh herbs because I have a variety growing in the garden this time of year. Fresh herbs still have the volatile oils intact that give them a more intense flavor. These volatile oils are the same that you find when buying essential oils.
If you only have dried herbs though, not to worry! Dried herbs also work, you might just want to let the marinade soak into the meat a little longer. Another tip: keep fresh dried herbs on hand. This way when you pull the spice jar out of the pantry it’s still fragrant, not dusty and bland tasting. I also like to crush the dried herbs in my hand some right before using. This helps release some of those volatile oils (aka more flavor).
What Meat is Best to Use?
Ok, so technically this recipe is for lemon garlic chicken marinade, but it’s really for more than that. You can use it on any cut of chicken: wings, thighs, legs, or breast. But it’s also a tasty way to eat other meats. Our family also enjoys it on shrimp, salmon, pork chops, or even grilled vegetables.
How to Use the Lemon Chicken Marinade
Sometimes I’ll layer the meat in the bottom of a casserole dish and pour the marinade over that. Flip halfway through marinating. Or these reusable bags from ZipTop also work well too. You just want to make sure the marinade has close contact with the chicken so all the flavors can meld.
This is a great recipe to make ahead because the chicken can marinate for up to 24 hours. And the longer you wait, the better the flavor. That means throw it together and refrigerate on Friday for supper Saturday.
It’s great on the grill and helps the meat not dry out during cooking. It works just as well for pan-seared chicken or for baked lemon chicken in the oven. And if you want even more lemon flavor, serve with fresh lemon wedges. I’ll often add a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a color pop.
Herb and Lemon Chicken Marinade
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 TBSP lemon zest
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 TBSP fresh rosemary (chopped, or 1 tsp dried rosemary)
- 1 TBSP fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 2 TBSP fresh parsley (chopped, or 2 tsp dried parsley)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
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In a bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard if using.
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Place the chicken in a glass container or reusable storage bag and pour the marinade over it. If your mixing bowl is big enough you can just put the chicken in there.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
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Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any remaining lemon chicken marinade.
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Grill, bake, or pan-sear until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition Facts
Herb and Lemon Chicken Marinade
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 126
Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Sodium 299mg13%
Potassium 30mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugar 0.3g0%
Protein 0.3g1%
Vitamin A 135IU3%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- For extra lemon flavor, serve with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
- This recipe makes enough for 2-3 pounds of chicken or 8-12 servings.
What to Eat With Lemon Chicken
There are so many fresh and fun side dishes. Whether you garden or get some from the local farmer’s market, colorful fruits and veggies are plentiful in the summer. And even if you’re not making this in the summer, it still pairs well with other sides.
Try a classic potato dish or a simple green salad for a quick meal. We also like it with grilled asparagus or sauteed summer squash. Here are some other ideas
What are some of your favorite ways to eat chicken? Leave a comment and let us know!