Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

Thanks to fresh lemon, garlic, thyme, and more, this bright and flavorful marinade completely transforms any cut of chicken. Use this Lemon Chicken Marinade recipe the next time you need a zesty, healthy protein!

Disclaimer: We are an affiliate of ButcherBox and have included links in this post.

Ingredients in Lemon Chicken Marinade

Marinating chicken is THE key to infusing flavor into typically lean, bland poultry cuts. This light and citrusy marinade only requires a few ingredients and yet turns that lackluster cut into something that makes your tastebuds sing.

The star ingredients of Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade are:

• Fresh lemon juice and zest – Using a fresh lemon really is best!
• Olive oil – You can also use avocado oil
• Minced garlic – Adds a lot of flavor
• Fresh thyme – Here is a little hack on how to get thyme leaves off a stalk.
• Salt and Pepper – Pretty much in all of our chicken marinades!

How to Store the Marinade

If you find that you are using this chicken marinade frequently, you could make a large batch of it (scale it up 2-3x) and store it for future use. There are two main ways to store the marinade: The refrigerator or the freezer.

1. Store in the Refrigerator

The marinade will store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a jar to use when ready.

2. Store in the Freezer

Here is an out of the box idea: make a big batch of marinade and freeze it in small portions! If you freeze it in a mason jar, be sure to allow at least 1 inch of headspace at the top because the contents will expand. Scaling up the recipe is a great use of time and resources too. Just one of the many reasons we love freezer meals!

When ready to use the marinade, let it thaw (if necessary) and pour it over chicken in a zip-top bag or container with a lid. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours to infuse flavor.

Use Lemon Chicken Marinade in a Freezer Meal

Another great use of your time is prep a few freezer meals out of this marinade. Like most of our chicken freezer meals, simply combine the ingredients (the marinade & the chicken) and freeze for later. No need to let the chicken marinate before freezing either. When you want to use it, let the chicken thaw one of these safe ways.

Then, grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake your marinated Chicken. You choose your method! We’ve included instructions for how to cook boneless chicken breasts any of these ways in the recipe below.

Ways to Cook Chicken Breast

There are so many ways to cook your marinated chicken. Here are some basic guidelines.

1. Bake Chicken Breast in the Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, until done.

2. Cook Chicken Breast in the Slow Cooker

Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Really! That’s all it takes to get it done, otherwise you’ll overcook and dry it out. Here is a whole post about how long to cook chicken in the Crockpot if you’re interested!

3. Cook Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot

Place chicken, marinade, and 1/3 cup chicken broth in a 6 quart Instant Pot. (Note: If using an 8 quart, add an additional 1/2 cup of broth.) Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes and use a quick release of the pressure when the cook time is up. (Note: It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cook time starts.)

4. How to Grill Chicken Breast

Pound out the chicken to about 3/4 inch thick (or cut it in half lengthwise) to help with fast and even cooking. Preheat grill to medium-high heat and clean the grates well. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, maybe longer depending on the thickness, until done.

More Chicken Marinades You Must Try

Try some of our other favorite healthy chicken marinades to mix things up:

• Honey Dijon Chicken Marinade
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
• Balsamic Herb Chicken Marinade
• Asian Sesame Chicken Marinade
• Southwest Chicken Marinade
• The BEST Savory Chicken Marinade