It's time to get your grill on with this savory Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken. Why shake it from a jar when you can make it home with ingredients on-hand? Topping the tender chicken with Mango Salsa makes it that much better!
PLUS it tastes 100 times better than what you buy at the store!
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Next time try this BBQ Tri Tip Recipe!
Why you'll love this recipe
We all have a jar of lemon pepper marinade in the cupboard, right? It's mostly a ton of salt and preservatives and really not that much lemon flavor.
Instead, give this a try. It makes the juiciest chicken! You're going to love this recipe. It is super tasty on chicken, pork and also veggie kabobs!
✔️ Made with everyday ingredients.
✔️ This is such an easy chicken recipe.
✔️ It tastes so much better than the granulated seasoning!
Ingredients
You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients for this delicious recipe. Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- plain yogurt
- lemons - you'll want fresh lemon juice and zest.
- two cloves of fresh garlic or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder may be substituted.
- parsley
- dill
- chicken - chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks or boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Lemon zest and juice a lemon.
- Mince the garlic, parsley and dill.
- Add these ingredients to a jar, small bowl or even a plastic bag.
- Add the remaining ingredients and whisk or mix together well.
- Marinade boneless chicken breasts or pork for one hour.
- Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes side or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Serve with lemon slices.
Equipment
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FAQ's
Lemon will impart flavor to the meat, but surprisngly does not tendorize the chicken. Because it's so acid, it may actually toughen the meat.
No, really the longest it should marinade is two hours in the refrigerator. Longer than that and the acids begin to cook the chicken and it ruins the texture of the meat.
Not only for chicken, you can also use this marinade on pork, shrimp or fish!
Things to know
- Pour this marinade over pork or chicken in a ziplock bag. Wrap it tightly in and seal it well. Place in freezer. When you're ready for a great night of grilling chicken, pull it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw the night before.
- What's extra special about this marinade is the addition of yogurt to help tenderize the meat. It's a great make-ahead marinade - make it in the morning or evening the day/night before.
- Be sure to check the internal temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer. Chicken is ready to eat when it reaches 165 degrees.
- Discard marinade after use, do not reuse the marinade.
Variations
- Substituting the lemon for lime is super tasty!
- You can use any cut of chicken. Chicken legs, bone-in chicken breast or even a whole chicken.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftover chicken in an airtight container up to three days.
Freezer - This is a great make-ahead recipe. You can prepare the marinade, add the chicken and freeze. When you're ready to grill, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and grill as directed.
Related recipes
So I've been putting together some great marinades and seasonings that are so good and simple to make!
- Teriyaki Steak Marinade - our favorite teriyaki marinade.
- Korean BBQ Sauce Marinade - this sauce is amazing, a little spicy and so delicious!
- Tuna Poke Marinade - this is an easy recipe!
- Chicken Fajita Marinade - everyone loves a great fajita!
- Chef's Blend Dry Rub - this spice mix goes on everything.
More Recipes using Lemon Pepper
- Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken - with a light lemony flavor it's easy to make and so delicious!
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp - a quick and easy meal.
- Lemon-Pepper Roasted Pork Tenderloin - tender and juicy every time.
- Lemon Pepper Salmon - healthy AND tasty, I love this recipe!
If you have some leftover chicken, slice it thinly and serve it over Creamy Lemon Pasta. Hands down delicious!
Serve with
What goes well with Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken? While you're grilling the chicken put some grilled vegetables in foil on the BBQ as well and dinner is done! Here are more easy recipes to try!
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob - only minutes using your pressure cooker.
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - you can grill this right alongside the chicken.
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad - mom's recipe is the best!
- Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe - made from frozen rolls these are super easy.
- Great Grandma Darnell's Blueberry Cobbler - this one is a real crowd pleaser!
If you're looking for a delicious sauce to serve with it grab this recipe for Alabama White Sauce or Pollo Tropical Cilantro Garlic Sauce - both are terrific dippers with chicken!
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon parsley minced
- 2 tablespoon dill minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper fresh cracked pepper preferably, it will have more flavor
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- Zest and juice the lemon.
- Mince the garlic, parsley and dill.
- Add these ingredients to a jar or a ziplock bag.
- Add the remaining ingredients and whisk or mix together well.
- Marinade chicken or pork for one hour
- Remove chicken from marinade, blot chicken with paper towel. Grill until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
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Nutrition
Here in Fresno we LOVE grilling and I'm thinking you do too. Winter is finally over, spring is here and the weather slowly improving in (most) places and soon everyone will be breaking out their grill! Aren't you looking forward to an evening on the patio?
Did I tell you we got a new grill?
Dan has been a fan of charcoal grilling since long before we met and let me tell you he is the BEST griller I know! We do a ton of grilling all year round. We love the flavor and that great char you get when grilling, but at times it can be a bit of a production.
We recently received a gas grill and so now we have the best of both worlds! Now, don't think for an instant he's giving up charcoal grilling... but the gas grill has made it so we can enjoy delicious grilled flavors weeknights too! Definitely the best of both worlds!
Lois says
This is a wonderful meal. I made last grilling season and we really enjoyed it. So tasty.
Debra Clark says
That's great Lois, glad it was a hit!
Michaela Kenkel says
Lemon is hands down one of my most favorite flavors --- whether it's sweet or savory like in this chicken marinade, it's just wonderful!
Bowl Me Over says
I would have to agree, lemon is such a great flavor!
Madi says
This marinade sounds so incredible! I can't wait to try it this weekend!
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you love it Madi! Thank you!!
Jennifer Stewart says
We had a gas grill for the longest time and switched back to charcoal but it is also a smoker. Everything tastes better with charcoal in my opinion. And it definitely tastes better with this delicious marinade on it too!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Jennifer! I understand - charcoal is King, but it's nice to have the quick cooking option too. Never give up that charcoal grill!
Angela says
Oh I love this!!! I make a similar marinade but never thought to use the plain yogurt in there!!! Love that idea! Printing this one for the next batch of grilled chicken!
Sandra Shaffer says
Can't wait to try this lemon pepper marinade! We grill all year, but summer-time is the best time to eat and cook outdoors. I have all the ingredients to give this a try this weekend!