Make the best Lemon Chicken Marinade in just a few minutes with simple, delicious, ingredients. It's great for grilling, pan frying and air frying. The chicken comes out super juicy and tender and loaded with flavor.
My Go-to Chicken Marinade for Years
This is hands down the best marinade for chicken. I make it almost every time I grill chicken. And I have for years!
There's a reason it works so well. The lemon juice helps tenderize the chicken, while the salt helps it retain moisture, for the juiciest, most tender chicken ever. Add to that oil to carry all the lemon, basil flavor throughout the dish, and it's a winner.
I generally don't add any garlic, so the lemon, basil and olive oil really get to shine. Sometimes garlic is great, but I love this softer flavor profile. No garlic also means no risk of garlic burning on the grill, which is something I've had happen far too many times.
You can use the marinade with any cut of chicken and any cooking method. I often use it for boneless chicken where I want that extra tenderness, but bone-in works just as well. It's amazing on the grill, but pan searing or air frying are also great.
Just make sure to make a big batch while you're at it, because that chicken is even more delicious cold! Serve with your favorite sides, I like mine with potato wedges with feta cheese.
"So unique yet so simple...and always delicious! Thanks so much for another winner 🙂" -Traci
You Just Need 5 Ingredients for the Best Lemon Chicken
Why Lemon Juice Is Important
Lemon juice is not just a flavor component for this recipe. In marinades, the citric acid in lemon juice helps tenderize the meat, so we end up with super tender chicken. Marinate too long, though, and it ends up mushy instead.
If you don't want to use lemon, you can also use fresh lime juice. This will work in the same way, and change the flavor just slightly.
Either way, make sure to use fresh squeezed juice - not the bottled kind.
What Oil to Use
I used olive oil for this recipe for a very specific reason: I like the flavor. If you don't like the taste of olive oil - or just don't have it - you can swap it for another cooking oil like canola oil.
Seasonings & Substitutes
I love the combination of basil & lemon, and fresh herbs add a great pop of fresh flavor to marinades. But you can also use dried basil, I have many times.
You can add fresh garlic to this marinade, if you like, just be careful when grilling the chicken so the garlic doesn't burn. I prefer to scrape off any garlic pieces before grilling for this reason. I recommend 1-2 minced cloves of garlic for 4 servings.
You can also swap basil for oregano. This will make the chicken similar to souvlaki.
Just Mix, Marinate & Cook!
1. Make the Marinade
Bring out a bowl and mix together all the ingredients for the marinade.
2. Just Add Chicken & Marinate
Grab two plastic freezer bags and place one in the other. Place the chicken inside, and pour over the marinade. Massage the marinade into the chicken through the bag, and tie a knot on it.
Marinate 30-60 minutes. You can keep it in room temperature for a 30 minute marinade, or refrigerate 30 minutes and bring it back out 30 minutes before cooking.
3. Cook as You Like
When you're ready to cook, remove the chicken from the bag and discard the marinade. Cook on the grill, in a pan, or in the oven or air fryer - your choice!
Tips for the Most Tender Lemon Chicken
You can marinate a bit longer for more flavor. But don't marinate for more than 3 hours, or the chicken can go mushy. If marinating for more than 1 hour, reduce the amount of salt by half.
Bring chicken to room temperature before cooking. This helps the chicken cook quicker & more evenly.
Use a meat thermometer. This will help you get the temperature just right, so it's not overcooked or undercooked. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). I prefer to bring it out a bit earlier at 160°F (71°C) and let it rest. The temperature will keep rising for a few minutes while it rests.
Let the chicken rest. Wrap the cooked chicken in aluminum foil or tent with it, then allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Storing, Freezing & Prepping Ahead
Store leftover marinade: Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
Store leftover chicken: Store in an air tight container in the fridge 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. Thaw by placing the bag in cold water for a few hours before cooking.
Freeze cooked chicken: Freeze in an air tight container for up to 3 months.
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 slice it just before serving.
What to Serve With It
- 10-Minute Lemon Ricotta Pasta10 Minutes
- Air Fryer Frozen Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts15 Minutes
- Creamy Rice with Butter & Chicken Broth30 Minutes
- Country Potatoes15 Minutes
More Quick & Easy Chicken Recipes
- Mexican Chicken Marinade35 Minutes
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks38 Minutes
- Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce40 Minutes
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken30 Minutes
Recipe
Easy Lemon Chicken Marinade with Basil
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 cooking 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 securely 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 30 minutes, turning once halfway.1 lb chicken
- Bring the chicken out from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Grill, oven bake, air fry 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 (may contain affiliate links)
- Plastic bags
- Citrus juicer* (optional)
- Mixing bowl*
Video
Notes
Approximate cook times: grill or pan seared
Boneless chicken thighs: 5-8 minutes per side Chicken thighs (with bone): 8-12 minutes per side Chicken breasts: 4-8 minutes per side ÂApproximate cook times: air fryer at 375°F (190°C).
Boneless chicken thighs: 7-10 minutes per side Chicken thighs (with bone): 10-14 minutes per side Chicken breasts: 5-10 minutes per side  You can marinate a bit longer for more flavor. But don't marinate for more than 3 hours, or the chicken can go mushy. If marinating for more than 1 hour, reduce the amount of salt by half. Bring chicken to room temperature before cooking. This helps the chicken cook quicker & more evenly. Use a meat thermometer. This will help you get the temperature just right, so it's not overcooked or undercooked. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). I prefer to bring it out a bit earlier at 160°F (71°C) and let it rest. The temperature will keep rising for a few minutes while it rests. Let the chicken rest. Wrap the cooked chicken in aluminum foil or tent with it, then allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. ÂStoring, Freezing & Prepping Ahead
Store leftover marinade:Â Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days. Store leftover chicken:Â Store in an air tight container in the fridge 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. Thaw by placing the bag in cold water for a few hours before cooking. Freeze cooked chicken: Freeze in an air tight container for up to 3 months. Prep ahead tip #1:Â You can make the marinade up to 4 days in advance. Prep ahead tip #2:Â 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:Â This chicken is delicious served cold, so you can make it 1-2 days ahead of time and slice it just before serving. Â Nutritional information assumes half the marinade is actually consumed.Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Recipe FAQ
No, this is not a good idea. Lemon juice and similar acidic components start "cooking" the chicken which can make it mushy if left too long. I recommend not marinating in this exact marinade for more than 3 hours.
If you want to marinate in lemon marinade overnight, skip the lemon juice and double the amount of lemon zest instead, and use just ¼ of the salt.
The zest will not cook the chicken so you can leave it to marinate for up to 24 hours. If you still want to add lemon juice, you can do so for the final 30 minutes.
Anna
I meal prepped this lemon chicken marinade and was in a bit of a rush so I only let it marinade for 1 hour and the flavors really came through which is amazing if you are short on time! This marinade also helped to keep the chicken from drying out while cooking and is super tasty and simple! So far I have added it to a salad as well as eating it with a side of veggies and it is not only yummy but a great filling source of protein.
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!