If you’re looking for moist, tender chicken with the bright, fresh flavor of lemon, garlic, and herbs and a nice smoky char from the grill, look no further. This lemon herb marinated grilled chicken is a classic for a reason (200 calories or 2 WW points).
This lemon herb grilled chicken is the one recipe you’ll keep coming back to all summer. The marinade comes together in minutes with lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, and a spoonful of Greek yogurt, and the result is chicken that’s incredibly moist, tender, and packed with bright, fresh flavor.
The Greek yogurt is the secret here. The lactic acid works alongside the lemon to break down the proteins in the chicken, so even after just 30 minutes in the marinade, boneless skinless breasts come off the grill juicy instead of dry. Marinate longer if you have time, up to overnight, and the flavor only gets better. Serve with crumbled feta, fresh herbs, and lemon wedges.
The acidity of the lemon and the lactic acid in the yogurt work wonders at breaking down the tough proteins in the meat, ensuring you’ll have perfectly moist and tender grilled chicken. Even after just a quick 30-minute soak, boneless, skinless chicken breasts grill up more tender and juicy, full of bright, lemony fresh flavor.
Serve it with an extra sprinkling of fresh parsley or basil, lemon wedges, and crumbled feta cheese. Enjoy!
Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp nonfat greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves minced about 1 tablespoon
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs I like a 50/50 mix of basil and parsley
- .5 tsp salt
- .25 tsp ground black pepper
- 1.25 lbs 1 ¼ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, yogurt, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour the marinade into a gallon-sized plastic bag, add the chicken, press out as much air as possible and seal bag. Turn the bag a few times to coat the chicken in marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day, flipping the bag halfway through to make sure the chicken marinates evenly.
- Preheat your gas grill with all burners on high and close the lid. When the grill is hot (after about 15 minutes), turn the 2 burners closest to the front to low, keeping the back burner on high. Remove the chicken from the bag and arrange on the grates over the low heat burners. Cover and cook until the underside of the chicken is just beginning to develop light grill marks, 6 to 9 minutes. Flip the chicken, cover, and continue to cook until the chicken is firm to touch, 6 to 9 minutes longer.
- To get a nice char on the chicken, now move the chicken to the part of the grill over high flames and cook uncovered until each side has solid grill marks, 5 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway.
- The chicken should be completely firm to the touch and register 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the chicken to a plate, tent with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
What to Serve With Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
This chicken is versatile enough to go with just about anything, but here are some favorites:
- Double Coconut Jasmine Rice — the subtle sweetness of coconut rice pairs beautifully with the bright lemon and herbs.
- Perfect Mashed Sweet Potatoes — a hearty, slightly sweet side that rounds out the meal nicely.
- Easy No-Massage Kale Caesar Salad — crisp and savory, it holds up well next to grilled chicken without competing with the lemon flavor.
- Everyday Side Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette — a simple, light option if you want something quick alongside.
- Warm pita with tzatziki — slice the chicken and tuck it into pita for a quick gyro-style meal. Several readers do exactly this and love it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
Can I bake this lemon herb chicken instead of grilling it?
Yes. Bake at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. You won’t get the smoky char, but the flavor from the marinade still comes through really well. Several readers have done this with great results.
u003cstrongu003eHow long should I marinate the chicken?u003c/strongu003e
A minimum of 30 minutes works, but the sweet spot is 4 to 8 hours. You can go up to 24 hours. Avoid marinating longer than that as the lemon acid can start to break down the texture too much.
u003cstrongu003eCan I use dried herbs instead of fresh?u003c/strongu003e
Fresh herbs give the best flavor here, but dried work in a pinch. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh called for.
What can I use instead of Greek yogurt in the marinade?
Plain regular yogurt works the same way. Sour cream is also a fine substitute. The goal is the lactic acid to help tenderize, so any of these will do the job.
u003cstrongu003eIs this good for meal prep?u003c/strongu003e
It reheats very well and stays moist even after a few days in the fridge. Make a big batch on Sunday and use it through the week in salads, grain bowls, wraps, or alongside vegetables.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, and many people prefer thighs for grilling since they’re more forgiving and stay juicier. Boneless skinless thighs will cook in roughly the same time; bone-in thighs will need a few extra minutes.
What internal temperature should grilled chicken reach?
The USDA recommends 165°F, but pulling it at 160°F and tenting with foil for 5 minutes will carry it to 165°F while keeping it juicier.
Yummy !!
I was going to make Chicken Gyros tonight. I think these might work for that application! Thoughts?
That sounds so good! I think the chicken would work really well in gyros :) Thanks Ericka!
I love anything with lemon in it and this sounds wonderful. My husband loves to grill so this will be next on the grilling menu.
Thank you Lana!
I made it last night and it was wonderful. It is a make again recipe for my family.
Looks Amazing and tastes so good!!
This is so awesome and looks healthy.
This is so awesome and looks healthy. I think this a great combination to this product bit.ly/. worth to try for your healthy diet.
I assume plain
Yogurt??
Yes, plain! Sorry—I will edit the recipe to specify!
great recipe i love it
Any suggestions for what to pair this with???
GReat recipe!
Loved it and kids did too. I want to make this every day. I was sharing it with friends in grocery while buying ingredients! Home run, thank you!
Haha THANK YOU, Jen! I’m so glad to hear that you and the fam liked it!
looks delicious
I have made this twice for dinner. Big thumbs up from my family of 6!
Your Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken looks good.
Wow really liked this recipe easy to prepare and delicious
Made this tonight with parsley and thyme. Delicious! Whole family said to put it in the regular rotation. Thanks for wonderful recipe!
This chicken looks so good!!!
It’s very delicious!
What is the dipping sauce on your plate. I plan on making this soon, looks good!
GREAT TOPIC
PERFECT MATCH WITH https://bit.ly/2KiLzWb
I love this recipe! It is one of the best tasting chicken dishes I have ever eaten. It is going into regular rotation on our dinner table.
Hi! Can this be cooked in the oven or pan grilled?
This is literally the best chicken I have ever had. We make a big batch on Sunday night and eat it throughout the week. It reheats great and still stays moist. Absolutely LOVE it!
Couldn’t grill it, so I put in the oven at 425. So tasty now I’m going to make it a Gyros for my dinner tonight!