Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

One of my favorite things about the summer is having BBQ’s. Even though my hubby is king of the grill, I am pretty good at it myself! I love lemon pepper seasoning so I was excited to try out some chicken to put on the grill. I already had a back up plan for my picky kids if they didn’t want this for dinner. But to my surprise (and delight!) they ate the entire piece of chicken and asked for seconds! If my kids loved it then I know that your family will too!

This lemon chicken is marinated overnight in an amazing lemon pepper chicken marinade. It has a delicious balance of sweet and tart and the lemon flavor is very subtle. The chicken grilled up perfectly and was so tender and juicy with just the right amount of flavor. I cut up some lemon slices and grilled them on the grill and they made the perfect lemon zest garnish to this amazing dish!

Ingredients in Lemon Pepper Chicken

This whole recipe (marinade included) only uses seven ingredients! And that’s including your chicken! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

• Chicken Breasts: I always use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
• Olive Oil: The online oil acts as a base to the marinades and will help make your chicken moist
• Lemon Juice: Don’t worry, the amount of lemon flavor is just perfect! not overwhelming but you can definitely taste it. You can use fresh lemon juice or lemon juice from a bottle.
• Garlic: I used minced garlic straight from my fridge which makes it so easy!
• Onion: Dice up your onion into small pieces so that you can have that flavor in every bite!
• Salt and Black Pepper: These will enhance all of the flavors in the marinade.

How to Grill Lemon Pepper Chicken

Plan on making this recipe ahead of time so that you can enjoy tender and juicy chicken the next day! It’s so good and make a simple and delicious meal.

Try This Next Za’atar Chicken

1. Whisk: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the diced onion.
2. Marinate OVERNIGHT: Put chicken in a gallon sized bag with marinade. Allow to marinate overnight.
3. Cook: Place chicken on preheated grill and sprinkle with additional pepper. Cook for about 20 minutes on the grill or until no longer pink in center. **You can also grill additional lemon slices for garnish.**

Tips for Grilling Chicken

Over the years I have learned a lot of tips and tricks for grilling chicken. Through my learning process, I have compiled everything you need to know to make the perfect grilled lemon pepper chicken!

• How hot does my grill need to be? Your grill needs to be at least 350 degrees before you begin cooking your chicken.
• Where do I place the chicken on the grill? You want to aim for indirect heat on the chicken, so do not place it directly over a flame.  The inside of the chicken needs to have time to cook completely without burning the outside.
• How long do I cook my chicken? Depending on the size or thickness of your chicken, every piece will be different. The average is 5-8 minutes per side.  For example, a ¾-inch thick breast would cook 5 minutes per side.  Add more time for a thicker piece or a bone-in chicken.
• Do I need to turn the chicken as it cooks? Only flip it once while cooking. Any more than that and your chicken may start to break apart or stick to the grates.
• How do I know when my chicken is done? Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Always use a meat thermometer to check and make sure it’s done.

How to Store Leftovers

We all know how good that leftover lemon pepper chicken can taste the next day! The key is to store it correctly! Here are some tips so that your chicken doesn’t dry out the next day.

• Refrigerate: Once your chicken has cooled completely then place it in an airtight container and store it in your fridge. It will last about 3 days.
• Reheat: Place the chicken in a baking dish and put it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook it for about 5-10 minutes or until it reaches the desired temperature.

Side Dishes for Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken

If you want to make this chicken but are wondering what are some things you can serve with it, well… I’ve got that covered! Sides are a MUST when you want the meal really take off and wow your friends and family. These are the best of the best!

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Za’atar Chicken

Seasoned with a traditional Middle Eastern Za’atar spice blend and grilled, this Za’atar chicken is juicy and packed with unique flavors. In just 20 minutes you’ll have a flavorful and filling dinner that no one will forget!

If you have never heard of Za’atar seasoning, you are not alone! I just heard of it recently, and now I’m hooked! It’s a great savory blend of warm and earthy seasonings that will really wow your taste buds. You can also make the spice at home! If you like homemade spices, you’ll have to try this Homemade Fajita Seasoning, this better than store bought Italian Seasoning, and this Taco Seasoning too!

Grilled Za’atar Chicken

So at this point you may be wondering what is Za’atar seasoning? It is a blend of savory, nutty, and earthy spices that usually includes oregano, thyme, marjoram, and sumac. There are different blends of Za’atar seasoning based on where you are eating it. Kind of like curry the ingredients can change based on the area it’s made in. I have a link to the Za’atar seasoning blend in the recipe box below too if you want to make it, or you can pick it up from the store.

Grilled Za’atar Chicken is quickly marinated in the Za’atar seasoning and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I really think you are going to love this dish! It’s an easy 20 minute dinner that would go great with some pita bread and hummus. I also love with baba ganoush which goes great with this Za’atar seasoning. You can actually sprinkle some on top and the flavor is incredible. I think this will be a new family favorite!

Ingredients

These simple ingredients combine to make the most delicious and moist chicken. This Za’atar chicken is so unique, and amazingly flavorful! If you are looking for a great easy dinner, then this is the recipe for you! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: If you get a breast that is really thick, then you’ll want to flatten it out a bit so that it will all cook evenly on the grill.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a must for this recipe. It’s a great quality oil that helps the flavors in the seasonings really pop.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is just what this recipe needs to bring out all of these gorgeous flavors!
• Za’atar Seasoning: I love making this blend at home! It is really herby and nutty, and perfect on meat. I add sesame seeds, coriander, and salt to my blend and I think it’s fantastic!
• Garlic: Minced garlic is one of my favorite things to eat on chicken. It’s so full of flavor and makes every bite the perfect one!

Za’atar Chicken Recipe

This recipe is so easy! I love how quickly it comes together and it really is so delicious. I ate it with some tomatoes and pita bread and it was perfection. Some of my kids added salt and pepper, but I thought it was perfect the way it was. You can make it however you like, and I know you are going to love it!

Popular Recipe Grilled Fish with Lemon and Capers

1. Whisk: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, za’atar seasoning, and garlic.
2. Put in Bag: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag then pour the mixture over the chicken.
3. Refrigerate: Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
4. Grill: Grill chicken breasts on medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
5. Enjoy: Let the chicken rest before slicing and enjoying!

Tips for Grilling Chicken

Here are a few simple ways to make yourself the master of the grill! Once your friends and family get a bite of your grilled Za’atar chicken, they’ll be hooked. It’s hard not to be when they’re so juicy and flavorful.

• Use a Thermometer: This step is super important so that your chicken doesn’t dry out on the grill. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken. You can take them off the grill when the temperature inside reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cook them any more than that, they may dry out.
• Let Rest: The key to juicy grilled Za’atar chicken is letting it rest for a minute or two after you pull it off the grill. This allows all of the tasty juices to reabsorb, giving you chicken breast that will melt in your mouth! If you cut into them too soon after grilling, those juices may be released instead of absorbing back into the meat.
• Dripping: If you have seasoning and oil dripping off of your chicken, it will make the flames touch the meat and that’s where the black burned part comes from. If you don’t want crispy crunchy parts on your chicken, make sure that your seasoning is all over your chicken, but not dripping off.

Storing Leftovers

Who doesn’t wan’t grilled Za’atar chicken for leftovers? This recipe makes enough to serve eight people, so if you need to save your leftovers here is how.

In the Refrigerator: Store your cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

More Chicken Recipes

I love a simple chicken dinner! But sometimes chicken can taste boring when you are always making it the same way. Here are some recipes that will give you great ideas to keep your chicken tasting unique and juicy!

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