Grilled Chicken Breasts (Printable)
Herb-and-lemon marinated chicken breasts grilled to juicy perfection; quick prep and simple grilling.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
09 - Fresh parsley, chopped
10 - Lemon wedges
# How To Make:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning each piece to ensure even coating. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the breasts on the hot grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before slicing.
06 - Slice the chicken and arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired. Serve alongside grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or steamed rice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The smoked paprika does most of the heavy lifting, giving you deep flavor with almost zero effort.
- It works on a real outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan, so rain is never a dealbreaker.
02 -
- Skipping the rest period will leave you with a puddle of lost juices on the board and dry chicken on the plate.
- A cheap instant read thermometer is the single thing that took my grilled chicken from guesswork to consistently perfect.
03 -
- Resist the urge to press down on the chicken with your spatula because that squeezes out juice and earns you nothing.
- Double the marinade and freeze half with raw chicken inside a bag so your next dinner is halfway done before you start.