Description

A quick and easy grilled chicken breast recipe featuring a fresh herb marinade with rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice. Perfect for healthy, flavorful meals that are tender and juicy.

Ingredients

Scale

1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (450–680 grams)
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, stripped from stems
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 2 tablespoons / 30 ml)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. This takes about 3 minutes.
Marinate the chicken: Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal bag or cover dish and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours. Do not exceed 4 hours.
Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F (204°C). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. This takes about 10 minutes.
Grill the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place breasts on grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once halfway through.
Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Chicken is done at 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, cut into thickest part to check juices run clear.
Rest the chicken: Remove from grill and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
Serve: Slice against the grain and drizzle with leftover juice or a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Notes

For best texture, use chicken breasts that are not overly thick or slice them horizontally for even cooking. If fresh herbs are unavailable, use one-third the amount of dried herbs. Letting chicken rest after grilling is essential for tenderness. Avoid flipping chicken more than once to maintain grill marks and juiciness. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to a cooler part of the grill.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 4 oz (
Calories: 180210
Sugar: 0.5
Sodium: 400
Fat: 57
Saturated Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 12
Fiber: 0.5
Protein: 35

Keywords: grilled chicken breast, fresh herb marinade, healthy chicken recipe, easy grilled chicken, lemon garlic chicken, quick dinner, tender chicken breast