Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken

By Rena Awada | Updated On October 1, 2019

These Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken tenders are super easy to make and can be paired with so many sides to make a perfect meal. They are also a super delicious finger food option and easy for gatherings with friends who can top them on their salad!

easy chicken tender recipe

More about this Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken Recipe

This Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken is an easy marinated chicken recipe that’s full of herbs and spices and is the perfect main course or addition to soups, salads, sandwiches and more! Could you imagine these on ciabatta bread with cheese and grilled? That would make the perfect adult grilled cheese!

What would you pair these Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken tenders with? Share your creative recipe idea with me, I would love to hear about it. So many of you can be so creative and are amazing cooks and you don’t even know it!

If you love spice in your food, try adding some cayenne pepper to this and you will love it even more! I love hot and spicy food but unfortunately, my kids won’t be happy if I make everything too spicy!

There different ways we have this chicken. The kids love having them with sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes. On the other hand, I prefer them over salad or some quinoa and veggies. So healthy and delicious. These Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken would be great to use for your meal prepping as well.

Lemon chicken marinade

What do you eat lemon chicken with

Lemon garlic chicken can be paired with so many sides. Options are endless. Try roasted veggies or roasted potatoes. Serve over salad or quinoa. If you are looking to keeping it low carbs you can serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

Here are a few sides you can try this lemon garlic chicken with:

easy Marinated Chicken

How to make the Lemon Chicken Marinade

The ingredients you will need to make the lemon garlic chicken marinade recipe are: olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and salt and pepper.

Place the chicken in a bowl, then add all the ingredients mentioned above. Then, mix well until the chicken is soaked through with the marinade. Cover the bowl and allow to marinade, or you can add into a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Seal and shake to combine before you let marinade.

Some Frequently asked questions

No need to go looking for some questions you may have. I have tried to answer a few for you below that are asked most frequently about lemon chicken.

Does Lemon Dry out Chicken?

Lemon may have a drying effect on a chicken especially if the chicken is overcooked. You can use lemon powder or as long as you use some kind of oil within the chicken recipe you are preparing it should be ok.

How to cook lemon chicken

There are different ways you can cook your lemon chicken recipe.  Most common ways are to either grill them using an outdoor grill, bake in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 F, use an indoor grill, or pan-sear them.

What makes chicken chewy

If your chicken comes out chewy because it has most likely been overcooked. Try not to cook your chicken too fast and allow it to cook over low heat so it retains moisture, don’t overcook and turn out too dry.

lemon chicken recipe

Make and share this easy chicken recipe

Do you have a favorite marinated chicken recipe your family loves? Share it with me below. I would love to try out different recipe ideas. Tag me on Instagram if you make this lemon garlic chicken recipe.

If you try a recipe and you like it, please use my hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER for all of my latest blog posts and recipes.

Also, if you love chicken as much as we do, I have a few other chicken recipes you could check out and try later:

Finally, how to make this Lemon Garlic Chicken :

easy Marinated Chicken

Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken

An easy marinated chicken recipe that’s full of herbs and spices and is the perfect main course or addition to soups, salads, sandwiches and more!
4.94 from 43 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 264kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Chicken boneless, skinless
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning dried, or equal parts garlic powder, dried basil and dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Lemon Zest
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey and salt and pepper in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Seal and shake to combine.
  • Place the chicken in the bag. Seal the bag and move the chicken around to coat in the marinade.
  • Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
  • Heat a grill or indoor grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until done. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 463mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 4.9mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @HealthyFitnessMeals or tag #HealthyFitnessMeals!

Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Grace says

    5 stars
    I have cooked quite a few of your chicken recipes, I prefer to cook them in the oven and always everyone at home enjoys them very much. Also, I used the one with lemon juice in salmon and was delicious (no garlic)
    Thanks, Rena, you are a big

  2. Laila Clark says

    5 stars
    If you want something quick to fix for dinner that tastes good then here’s your pick! Easy quick and tasty! I didn’t follow the measurements because it’s just one of those recipes that calls for eyeing your own requirements. I did use all the ingredients and my hubby kept saying how good it was. That counts! Thanks Violet Kenow!

  3. Cait says

    5 stars
    This recipe looks amazing and I’m looking forward to making it for my wedding next month! I’ll be making it 24 hours in advance. Do you have any recommendations on the best way to reheat without drying it out or making it rubbery? Thanks!

    • Rena says

      Hi. The way I personally reheat any leftover chicken breast for my kids is I wrap them just in foil and bake for 15 minutes. It reheats the chicken and retains the moisture. Keep them in the foil packs until you are ready to plate. I hope it helps

  4. Randi Mager says

    Whatever you do… do NOT use an indoor grill pan with this marinade. Olive Oil mixed with the Med-high heat was a smoky disaster. My whole home was hazy and still smells 24 hours later! Use an oil with a higher smoke point if using a grill pan.

    Chicken was juicy and delicious though!

    • Joanie M says

      I just finished grilling halibut tonight; with my own version of this marinade. I use lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil & coconut oils plus other spices like corriander, basil & cumin. I cooked it on my indoor smokeless grill & had no problem at all. A few weeks ago; I grilled chicken with the same recipe & no problems. It may be your grill? I use a Hamilton Beach Smokeless Grill I bought at Walmart a couple years ago for $68 … Amazon also carried them last year for about $80. It is a nice heavy grill for the price. 🙂

  5. GUy says

    4 stars
    OMG there are so many ads and pop ups and excessive words that its taken me like 5 minutes to find the recippe!!! All I want is the freaking recipe, I don’t need to read a whole blog post about it while being bombarded with ads!

  6. Victoria Nordquist says

    I will try that on Thanksgiving this month since I ll be alone. Something to look forward to! Wish me luck! 🙂
    Vicki

  7. Marilynn says

    A very good marinade!! I marinated for 4 hours, let it come to room temp, pounded the breasts to tenderize and grilled, came out great. I also skipped the lemon zest as I had already zested my lemons but added more lemon juice. They were tender and moist.
    I

  8. Shilpa says

    5 stars
    I left the chicken overnight in the marinade it was absolutely divine!! With the garlic powder, I added some fresh garlic too, it just gave a bit more of a kick. This is definitely a go to recipe! Love it!! Thanks Rena!

    • Rena says

      Yes, I would say so. Sometimes 2 large breasts come out to 1 lb. each can be sliced thinner into 2 to make 2 servings per large breast

    • Laura says

      3 stars
      I marinated the chicken for a little over 2 hours then grilled it. The marinade smelled good but the chicken didn’t have much flavor. Will try to marinate it longer next time

  9. Antonella Russo-Ball says

    is this for breast chicken or OK for thighs and legs? the cooking time cannot be 4-5 minutes for each side if so??

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