Description
Ina Garten’s grilled lemon chicken delivers Mediterranean flavors with zesty marinade and herb-infused complexity. Delicious aromas and tender meat promise a memorable meal for family gatherings or weekend entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900 g) chicken breasts, boneless, halved and skinless
- 6 fl oz (180 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed (4 lemons)
- 6 fl oz (180 ml) olive oil, good quality
- 2 tsps kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tbsp thyme leaves, fresh minced (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
Instructions
- Marinade Fusion: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried thyme in a medium bowl until smoothly combined.
- Marination Process: Submerge chicken breasts completely in the mixture within a nonreactive container, ensuring thorough coverage. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours, allowing deep flavor infusion.
- Grill Preparation: Heat charcoal to medium-high temperature around 375-400°F. Clean and lightly oil grates to prevent sticking and create perfect sear marks.
- Grilling Technique: Position marinated chicken at a 45-degree angle on the grill. Cook 10-12 minutes per side, rotating midway to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and consistent internal cooking.
- Doneness Verification: Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest section. Remove from heat and let rest 3-5 minutes for juice redistribution.
- Serving Presentation: Slice chicken breasts diagonally into uniform pieces. Thread slices onto pre-soaked wooden skewers for an elegant and convenient serving style.
Notes
- Marinate Mindfully: Allow chicken to soak in the zesty lemon marinade for at least 6 hours to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize the meat completely.
- Grill with Precision: Maintain medium-high heat around 375-400°F and use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken without drying out the meat.
- Prevent Sticking: Clean and lightly oil grill grates before cooking to create beautiful grill marks and ensure easy chicken removal.
- Rest and Redistribute: Let grilled chicken rest 3-5 minutes after cooking, allowing internal juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness and flavor retention.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg