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Make the best Lemon Chicken Marinade in just a few minutes with simple, healthy, ingredients. It's great for grilling, pan frying and oven baking. With olive oil, lemon & basil the chicken comes out so juicy, tender and loaded with flavor.
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When barbecuing chicken there's no other choice in my book - this simple Lemon Chicken Marinade or my Mexican Chicken Marinade are the only ones I'll be making. It's the best way to end up with really juicy & tender chicken - and as a bonus it's 100% healthy and both gluten free and dairy free.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick - make this marinade in 5 minutes or less
- It's easy with just a few simple steps
- The chicken is softened and tenderized by the salt
- Flavor packed chicken - you won't even need a sauce!
- The chicken is delicious served hot or cold
- Works for all cuts of chicken
- Great for grilling, oven baking and pan frying
- Diet friendly - low in carbs, gluten free and dairy free
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Fresh basil can be swapped for dried basil. Use 1 tablespoon instead of 20 leaves. You can also swap it for a different herb - thyme, oregano, or even Italian seasoning.
- Fresh lemon juice is the way to go - bottled won't do
- Olive oil can be swapped for a neutral type of vegetable oil
- Chicken: this marinade works for all cuts of chicken. Some of my favorites are boneless chicken thighs, chicken breasts, kebabs, chicken legs and minced chicken patties.
How to make it
- Zest the lemon in a bowl
- Squeeze in the lemon juice
- Add basil leaves that you shred gently with your hands
- Add salt and pepper
- Add olive oil
- Mix
- Bring out two plastic freezer bags and place one inside the other. Place chicken in the inner bag.
- Pour over the lemon chicken marinade
- Close the bags with a knot, then massage the chicken through the bags to spread the marinade evenly
- Place in a bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour, turning once halfway
- Bring out the chicken and remove from the marinade
- Cook the chicken, allow to rest for a few minutes, and serve!
Tips & tricks
- Marinate in a plastic bag to spread out the marinade evenly
- Turn the chicken at least once while marinating, to spread the flavors evenly
- Marinate longer for more flavor - but don't marinate for more than a couple of hours, or the chicken can go mushy
- If marinating for more than 1 hour reduce the amount of salt
- Bring chicken to room tmperature before cooking to help the chicken cook quicker & more evenly
- Use a meat thermometer when cooking, to get the temperature just right. Cook the chicken to 165°F (74°C).
- Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before serving - wrap in aluminium foil or tent with it to retain the heat
- Serve the chicken hot or cold - it's delicious both ways, cold is great in salads and wraps
Recipe FAQ
Yes, it is a great idea to marinate chicken in lemon juice. Just be aware that you shouldn't marinate it too long.
No, marinating chicken in lemon juice overnight is not a good idea. Lemon juice and similar acidic components start "cooking" the chicken which can make it mushy if left too long.
If you want to marinate in Lemon Chicken Marinade overnight, skip the lemon juice and double the amount of lemon zest instead.
If you marinate chicken in lemon juice too long the lemon juice will start "cooking" the chicken, which will make it mushy if left too long.
Marinate the chicken in this Lemon Chicken Marinade for at least 1 hour, and up to 3 hours. If you want to marinate it longer, see recommended adjustments above.
Yes, you can absolutely bake the chicken instead of grilling it. See the recipe card below for recommended cook times for different cooking methods.
Storing, freezing & prepping ahead
Store leftover chicken: Cooked chicken can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Store leftover marinade: Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze marinade: Freeze leftover marinade for up to 6 months.
Freeze marinated chicken: Massage chicken with marinade, then freeze immediately. to cook it later. Thaw by placing the bag in cold water for a few hours before cooking.
Prep ahead tip #1: You can make the marinade up to 4 days in advance.
Prep ahead tip #2: The chicken can be left in the marinade for up to 3 hours, just reduce the amount of salt by half.
Prep ahead tip #3: This chicken is delicious served cold, so you can make it 1-2 days ahead of time and just slice before serving.
What to serve with it
Looking for some great quick & easy side dishes to serve with your lemon basil chicken?
- Chipotle Ranch
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Sour Cream Sauce with Avocado & Lime
- Sides for duck go great with chicken as well
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Lemon Chicken Marinade
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1 lb chicken any cut
Marinade
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 20 basil leaves roughly shredded, or 1 tablespoon dried
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or a neutral oil
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt reduce amount if marinating more than 1 hour
Instructions
- Place all ingredients for the marinade in a bowl and mix.1 lemon, 20 basil leaves, 2 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
- Bring out two plastic bags and place one in the other. Place the chicken in the inner bag and pour over the marinade. Close the bags with a knot and massage the chicken gently through the bags to distribute the marinade evenly. Place in a bowl in the fridge and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour, turning once halfway.1 lb chicken
- Grill, oven bake or pan sear the chicken until cooked all the way through. Cook time will vary with size and cooking method. See notes for approximate cook times.
Equipment needed for this recipe
- Plastic bags
- Citrus juicer* (optional)
- Mixing bowl*
Video
Notes
Approximate cook times: grill or pan seared
Chicken thighs (boneless): 5-6 minutes per side Chicken thighs (with bone): 6-8 minutes per side Chicken breasts: 5-7 minutes per side ÂApproximate cook times: oven at 350°F (175ËšC)
Chicken thigh filets: 20-25 minutes Chicken thighs (bone-in): 30-35 minutes Chicken breasts: 25-30 minutes ÂTips & tricks
- Marinate longer for more flavor - but don't marinate for more than a couple of hours, or the chicken can go mushy
- Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before serving - wrap in aluminium foil or tent with it to retain the heat
- Serve the chicken hot or cold - it's delicious both ways, cold is great in salads and wraps
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Foodgoggle
Looks so deliciosu..bookmarked on to our site.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you so much, happy to hear it!
Traci
So unique yet so simple...and always delicious! Thanks so much for another winner 🙂
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Traci! 😃
Andrea Metlika
This Marinade sounds wonderful. One of my absolute favorite flavor combinations for chicken.
Jessica Formicola
This is my go to marinade recipe! We've already used it twice since grilling season started!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Love that Jessica! Thank you!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Love this recipe. The marinade is super flavorful and the chicken has great flavor.
SHANIKA
This Lemon + Basil Chicken recipe looks amazing! Such an easy dinner option for the entire family!