It's time to get your grill on with this savory Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade. Why shake it from a jar when you can make it at home with ingredients you have on hand that are delicious and fresh. PLUS it tastes 100 times better than what you buy at the store!
Making your own marinade at home is so easy and 100 times tastier than what you buy at the store!
Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade
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!
It only takes 10 minutes tops to put this marinade together!
Homemade Lemon Pepper Marinade for Chicken
So I've been putting together some great marinades.
- Teriyaki Steak Marinade
- Korean BBQ Sauce Marinade
- Tuna Poke Marinade
- Chicken Fajita Marinade
- Chef's Blend Dry Rub
My newest recipe is lemon pepper marinade! 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 flavor. I missed that bright lemon taste! You're going to love this recipe. It is super tasty on chicken, pork and also veggie kabobs!
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.
Here's a great tip - make this marinade and pour it over pork or chicken in a ziplock bag. Wrap it tightly in and seal it well. Tuck it in the freezer. When you're ready for a great night of grilling, pull it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw the night before. The meat will be full of delicious lemon pepper seasoning with little effort!
Grocery list for lemon pepper marinade
- plain yogurt
- lemon
- garlic
- parsley
- dill
The rest of the ingredients you'll grab from your pantry. Next up is putting the marinade together. Let me walk you thru the steps.
Step by step, here's how to make this easy marinade.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Grill Marinade
Does lemon tenderize chicken?
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.
Can I marinate chicken in lemon overnight?
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.
What is lemon pepper used for?
Not only for chicken, you can also use this marinade on pork, shrimp or fish!
What goes well with lemon chicken?
While you're grilling them 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
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
- Steakhouse Salad
- Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Great Grandma Darnell's Blueberry Cobbler
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!
How to make lemon pepper marinade
- zest and juice a lemon
- mince the garlic
- mince the parsley and dill
- add these ingredients to a jar, bowl or even a ziplock bag
- add the remaining ingredients and whisk or mix together well.
- Marinade chicken or pork for one hour
Another great tip - double the recipe and before adding the meat pour half of it into your blender. Whirl it up and pour it over your green salad! Great flavors, this makes for an excellent salad dressing!
Easy-to-make, this delicious marinade is terrific on chicken, pork and veggies kabobs!
Lemon and Pepper Chicken Marinade
More Recipes using Lemon Pepper
- Roasted Asparagus Shrimp and Bacon with Lemon Pepper Sauce from Wonky Wonderful
- Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken from The Recipe Critic
- Lemon-Pepper Roasted Pork Tenderloin from The Oregonian/Oregon Live
- Poison Ivy Muffins from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
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A must for every grill!
Are you ready to get grilling? Get started by making this easy marinade. It's made-ahead from fresh ingredients you have on hand and will store in the refrigerator for up to three days. I know you're going to love how easy this is to make and the delicious flavor from this meal.
Love this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and give it a five star rating below!
Lemon Pepper Marinade
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp parsley minced
- 2 tbsp dill minced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper fresh cracked pepper preferably, it will have more flavor
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
Michaela Kenkel
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
I would have to agree, lemon is such a great flavor!
Madi
This marinade sounds so incredible! I can't wait to try it this weekend!
Bowl Me Over
I hope you love it Madi! Thank you!!
Jennifer Stewart
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
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
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
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!