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Home Recipe Index Chicken & Turkey

Lemon Garlic Chicken

★★★★★ 5 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Rachel Tiemeyer
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 4/18/23Updated: 5/18/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Fresh lemon, garlic, thyme, salt, and olive oil in small bowls
lemon garlic marinade in mason jar and in a freezer bag with chicken

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

lemon garlic chicken on top of asparagus and lemon slices
Contents hide
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
Can You Freeze Marinating Chicken?
Ways to Cook Marinated Chicken
How to Know When Chicken is Done
Ways to Use Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
FAQs
More Chicken Marinades
Lemon Garlic Chicken

“This is the 2nd time I’m cooking this chicken recipe in 2 weeks. It’s that delicious. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” – Anne Marie

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Flavor: The combination of lemon and garlic creates a delicious and savory flavor that is both tangy and robust. The chicken is infused with the flavor of the garlic and the tartness of the lemon, making it taste absolutely delicious.
  2. Versatility: Lemon garlic chicken is a versatile dish that can be cooked in many different ways, including baking, grilling, frying, or roasting.
  3. Health benefits: Chicken is a lean protein that is low in fat and high in nutrients, making it a healthy choice for anyone trying to eat a balanced diet. Garlic has also been shown to have numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing the risk of heart disease.
  4. Ease of preparation: Lemon garlic chicken is an easy dish to prepare, with just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time.
  5. Freezer-friendly: We love the time-saving, money-saving, sanity-saving benefits of freezer meals. Lemon Garlic Chicken is so easy to double and freeze one for later.

Ingredients

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 Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

Prepare Marinade

Place the marinade ingredients straight into a large Ziploc bag and give it a good shake. This saves you an extra dish. You could also mix the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and pour it over the chicken. Options galore!

Marinate Chicken

Add the chicken to the ziplock bag with the marinade. Close securely and gently massage it into the meat. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.

chicken breasts in freezer bag with lemon garlic marinade

Can You Freeze Marinating Chicken?

Absolutely! We suggest using your time wisely by prepping a few freezer meals using this chicken marinade.

To Freeze:

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.

To Prepare:

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. We’ve included instructions for how to cook boneless chicken breasts in the recipe below.

chicken breasts in freezer bag with lemon garlic marinade

Ways to Cook Marinated Chicken

Chicken breasts are by far the most popular cut to marinate and cook, so we’re giving you several cooking options below. You can grill, bake, slow cook, or pressure cook your boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs).

Lemon Garlic Chicken on the grill

Here are four easy ways to cook Lemon Garlic Chicken

Bake 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, depending on the thickness of the chicken, until done.

Slow Cook in the Crockpot

Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 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!

Pressure Cook 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.)

Grill the Chicken

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 (400-450°F) and clean the grates well. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, closing the lid in between flipping. The cook time may take a little longer, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

How to Know When Chicken is Done

Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature. A digital meat thermometer is a must to help cook chicken perfectly!

Lemon garlic chicken sliced and laying on top of asparagus

Ways to Use Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

There are many ways to use Lemon Garlic Chicken. Here are a few ideas:

  1. As a main dish: Lemon Garlic Chicken can be served as a main dish with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, quinoa, or salad.
  2. In sandwiches: Use sliced or shredded lemon chicken in sandwiches or wraps.
  3. In salads: Add the chicken to a green salad or a pasta salad to add protein and flavor. Try our Lemon Vinaigrette on top.
  4. In soups: Use the chicken in a chicken noodle soup or our Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup to add a zesty flavor.
  5. In stir-fries: Add Lemon Garlic Chicken to a stir-fry with vegetables and noodles or fried rice for a quick and easy dinner.
  6. In pasta dishes: It would be a delicious addition to our Creamy Lemon Pasta or tossed with In our Chicken Pesto Pasta.
horizontal shot of finished chicken pesto pasta in skillet

FAQs

How long should you marinate chicken?

The ideal marinating time for chicken is anywhere between 2-24 hours. The specific time can depend on the type and cut of chicken, as well as the acidity level of the marinade.

Can you OVER marinate chicken?

Yes, over-marinating chicken can actually have a negative effect on the texture and taste of the meat. Acidic marinades, in particular, can break down the proteins in the chicken too much and leave it with a mushy texture.

Can you reuse marinade for chicken?

You shouldn’t reuse marinade but you can boil it to use safely as a sauce over your finished dish using these directions. I actually do this all the time.

To kill all the raw chicken germs, be sure to bring the marinade to a rolling boil in a pot on the stove for at least 1 minute, according to the CDC‘s directions for making water safe to drink. The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source notes that bacteria are rapidly killed at temperatures above 149°F (65°C), which is below that of boiling water or even a simmer. So rest assured you’ll be safe if you boil it well for 1 minute. We’d suggest straining it after boiling to remove any chicken pieces.

marinades for chicken breasts in freezer bags

More Chicken Marinades

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

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

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lemon garlic chicken on top of asparagus and lemon slices
★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Thanks to fresh lemon, garlic, thyme, and more, this bright and citrusy marinade completely transforms any cut of chicken. 

Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
Prep: 5 minutesTotal: 5 minutes
Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Juice and zest of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves (sub: 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1/4 tsp ground thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Make It Now:

  1. Mix Up Marinade: Add the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper to a gallon-sized freezer bag, seal, and shake. Add chicken* to the bag, seal, and squish around to make sure the chicken is covered in marinade. 
  2. Marinate Chicken: Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. (Tip: Set the bag in a container to prevent any leaks.)
  3. Cook Chicken: Cook the chicken using one of these methods. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally and/or is no longer pink inside.
      • Bake in Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. (Tip: Spray the dish/sheet pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.) Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, until done. May take longer depending on the thickness of the chicken.
      • Slow Cooker: Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Really! That’s all it takes to get it done, otherwise, you’ll overcook and dry it out.
      • 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.)
      • Grill: *Before marinating, pound out the chicken to about 3/4 inch thick (or cut it in half lengthwise) to help with fast and even cooking. To do this, place one breast at a time inside a freezer bag and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F) and clean the grates well. Grill for about 4-6 minutes per side, closing the lid in between flipping, until done. The cook time may be longer depending on the thickness.
  4.  Make Extra Sauce (optional): Instead of discarding the leftover marinade, place it in a small pot and bring it to a rolling boil on the stovetop for at least 1 minute. Watch closely so it doesn’t overflow. Strain it, if desired, and use as extra sauce over the cooked chicken.*

 

Freeze For Later: Follow step 1. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Prepare From Frozen: Thaw, using one of these safe thawing methods, and follow Step 3. No additional marinating time needed once it is thawed!

Equipment

reusable freezer bag

Reusable Freezer Bags

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Freezer Bag Stand

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Meat thermometer

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Notes/Tips

How to Know If Chicken Is Done: Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature. A digital meat thermometer is a must to help cook chicken perfectly! Another way to tell is if it has no more pink inside when you slice into the middle.

How to Safely Turn the Marinade Into Sauce: To kill all the raw chicken germs, be sure to bring the marinade to a rolling boil in a pot on the stove for at least 1 minute, according to the CDC. The World Health Organization (WHO) Trusted Source notes that bacteria are rapidly killed at temperatures above 149°F (65°C), which is below that of boiling water or even a simmer. So rest assured you’ll be safe if you boil it well for 1 minute. We’d suggest straining it after boiling to remove any chicken pieces. 

Ideas for Serving Lemon Garlic Chicken: Serve in our Chicken Pesto Pasta, with our Creamy Lemon Pasta Sauce, or over our Strawberry Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette.

Where We Get Our Chicken: We get our meat from ButcherBox. The chicken is organic and curated from small, trusted farms. We highly recommend this service to source healthy meat–like uncured bacon, wild salmon, and grass-fed beef–and have used it for years ourselves. 

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

  • Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
  • Honey Dijon Chicken Marinade
  • Balsamic Herb Chicken Marinade
  • Asian Sesame Chicken Marinade
  • Southwest Chicken Marinade
  • The BEST Savory Chicken Marinade
© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine: American Method: No cook

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Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. AvatarAmy says

    Posted on 4/25/23 at 9:01 am

    Such an easy, delicious recipe. Love it over pasta with broccoli!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Polly ConnerPolly Conner says

      Posted on 4/25/23 at 9:04 am

      Agreed! Glad you liked it.

      Reply
  2. AvatarTracy says

    Posted on 9/13/22 at 5:03 pm

    Great new marinade to add to my rotation for grilled chicken. Very flavorful.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 9/13/22 at 5:48 pm

      Whoop whoop! Happy to know it’s a win for you.

      Reply
  3. AvatarAnne Marie Monello says

    Posted on 8/27/22 at 1:49 pm

    This is the 2nd time I’m cooking this chicken in 2 weeks, it’s that delicious. I will try the other marinades next. Thank you. Anne Marie

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 8/28/22 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks for the feedback, Anne Marie. 🙂 Another of my favorites is the Southwest Chicken Marinade, if you’re looking for another one to try.

      Reply
  4. AvatarMalissa Peacock says

    Posted on 8/13/22 at 12:56 pm

    Wonderful recipe. Just the right balance of acid and fat — love the thyme. We grilled it and it came out perfectly according to the time on the recipe. Would make it once a week — very fresh taste

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 8/13/22 at 3:18 pm

      Great to hear that, Malissa! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.

      Reply
  5. AvatarJSimon says

    Posted on 6/22/22 at 11:23 am

    Loved this recipe, my Daughter loved it also and she shared it with me. This is the second time I’m going to make it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 6/22/22 at 11:51 am

      Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear that!

      Reply
  6. AvatarDiana says

    Posted on 5/22/22 at 1:06 am

    I overcooked the chicken in Balsamic Herb Recipe..as well as the marinade..should you cook the marinade separately..I cooked covered on stovetop..

    Reply
  7. AvatarAimee McPoland says

    Posted on 12/4/21 at 6:25 pm

    For freezing instructions, ate you freezing the marinade?? Or the chicken in the marinade?

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 12/4/21 at 8:10 pm

      You can freeze the chicken in the marinade. Or you can just freeze the marinade if you want to make a giant batch to have on hand for anytime.

      Reply

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