There is something truly magical about the way citrus and smoky barbecue flavors come together in this Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe. It’s bright, tangy, and deeply savory all at once, making every bite feel like a celebration on your plate. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a casual weekend barbecue or a special family dinner, this recipe brings simple, fresh ingredients together to create a juicy, flavorful chicken dish that everyone will love. Once you try this Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe, you might just find it becoming your go-to summer favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial role in balancing flavor, moisture, and aroma. From the zesty punch of fresh lemon juice to the herbal warmth of basil and thyme, these ingredients come together to make your grilled chicken irresistibly delicious and perfectly tender.
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts: Choose fresh, evenly sized breasts for consistent cooking and easy marinating.
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil: Acts as a carrier for spices and keeps the chicken juicy during grilling.
- ½ cup lemon juice: The star of the recipe, it adds bright acidity and tenderizes the meat for that signature tang.
- 1 Tbsp salt: Enhances all flavors and ensures your chicken is well-seasoned throughout.
- 1 tsp paprika: Adds a mild smokiness and beautiful color to the marinade.
- 2 tsp dried basil: Provides an herbal lift with a subtle sweet flavor that complements lemon perfectly.
- 2 tsp onion powder: Lends a savory undertone without overpowering the delicate citrus notes.
- ½ tsp dried thyme leaves (crushed): Contributes an earthy aroma and depth of flavor.
- 1 tsp garlic powder: Gives a gentle garlic warmth that rounds out the marinade’s complexity.
How to Make Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Create the Marinade
Start by whisking together the vegetable oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and all of your fragrant spices—salt, paprika, dried basil, onion powder, thyme, and garlic powder. This marinade is where all the magic begins, setting the stage for tender, flavorful chicken.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts inside a large gallon-sized ziplock bag for easy marinating. To ensure even cooking, lightly pound each breast with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are roughly the same thickness. This step helps the marinade permeate every bite.
Step 3: Marinate Overnight
Pour the marinade directly into the bag with the chicken, seal it, and move everything to the refrigerator. Let the chicken soak overnight, allowing the tangy lemon and spice blend to deeply infuse and tenderize the meat. Trust me—this wait is totally worth it.
Step 4: Ready the Chicken for the Grill
Take the chicken out of the fridge about an hour before you plan to cook it. This brings it closer to room temperature, helping it cook more evenly. Drain and discard the marinade before placing the chicken on the grill to avoid flare-ups.
Step 5: Grill to Perfection
Preheat your grill, clean the grates, and oil them lightly. Grill the chicken breasts over medium-high heat for around 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Aim for an internal temperature of 165ºF to ensure they’re perfectly cooked—juicy, tender, and tantalizingly smoky from the grill.
How to Serve Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or cilantro adds a pop of green color and fresh flavor that pairs beautifully with the lemony chicken. Thin lemon slices or wedges served on the side invite an extra zesty kick for those who love a more pronounced citrus hit.
Side Dishes
This chicken shines when paired with light, vibrant sides. Consider a crisp garden salad with a lemon vinaigrette, grilled seasonal vegetables, or fluffy rice pilaf to complement the zesty BBQ flavors without overshadowing them.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve the grilled chicken sliced atop a mixed greens bowl with avocado and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with a little extra lemon juice. Alternatively, use it as a protein-packed filling for warm pita pockets with tzatziki sauce for a fun twist on classic BBQ fare.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and juicy for up to 3 days, making for an easy lunch or dinner fix during busy weekdays.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, the cooked chicken freezes well. Wrap portions tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months to maintain flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out those beautifully tender bites.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option if you prefer a more succulent, slightly fattier cut. Just adjust grill time slightly as thighs may take longer to cook through.
Is it necessary to marinate overnight?
While you can marinate for as little as an hour, the flavor and tenderness really deepen when left overnight. It’s worth the wait for the best results.
Can I make the marinade without oil?
You could, but the oil helps distribute the spices evenly and keeps the chicken juicy, especially on the grill. If you want to reduce oil, try substituting with a lighter oil like avocado or using slightly less.
What type of grill works best?
Both gas and charcoal grills work well. Charcoal adds a smokier flavor, which complements the lemon and spices beautifully, but gas grills offer consistent heat and are easier to control.
How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?
Make sure your grill grates are clean and preheated. Brush them lightly with oil before placing the chicken. Also, avoid moving the chicken too frequently so it can develop those lovely grill marks and release naturally.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like sunshine on a plate—fresh, bright, and incredibly satisfying. It’s straightforward enough for a weeknight but flavorful enough to impress guests, and once you give it a try, I’m sure it will become a staple in your cooking rotation. So go ahead, fire up that grill and enjoy every juicy, zesty bite!
Print
Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes plus overnight marinating
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Lemon BBQ Grilled Chicken recipe features juicy, marinated boneless skinless chicken breasts infused with a tangy lemon and herb marinade, then grilled to perfection. Perfect for a summer cookout or a quick, flavorful dinner, this dish combines zesty lemon juice with a blend of aromatic spices to create a deliciously bright and savory meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme leaves, crushed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk together vegetable or canola oil, lemon juice, salt, paprika, dried basil, onion powder, crushed dried thyme leaves, and garlic powder in a bowl until well combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts inside a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Lightly pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure even thickness. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and ensure the chicken is fully coated.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Place the sealed bag with marinated chicken in the refrigerator and let it marinate overnight to absorb the flavors deeply.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the chicken from the marinade about one hour before grilling to allow it to come to room temperature. Discard any remaining marinade.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF and are cooked through.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked but not overdone.
- If a grill is not available, the chicken can be cooked on a grill pan or under a broiler as alternatives.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking.
- Discard the marinade after removing the chicken to avoid contamination.
