Grilled Rosemary Lemon Chicken is an easy dinner recipe for a summer evening. Chicken is marinated in a flavorful vinaigrette then grilled to tender perfection and topped with lemon slices.
Fire up the grill for a chicken recipe that’s filled with tangy citrus, fresh herb and garlic flavors.
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Grilled Chicken with Rosemary
One of my absolute favorite flavor combinations is rosemary and lemon.
Fresh lemon slices are gently grilled until caramelized then placed on top of the chicken pieces for added citrus flavor and texture.
With my rosemary plant thriving in my garden I thought it only fitting to savor the summertime flavor of fresh herbs with his Rosemary Lemon Grilled Chicken recipe.
Actually, I cannot tell a lie. My rosemary plant is not thriving in my garden. I am known in my family as the rosemary plant killer.
Each year for Mother’s Day I subtly suggest that one of my sons might want to give me a rosemary plant.
And each year I get my new rosemary plant. And each year I manage to kill that rosemary plant which I guess is why I need to request a new one year after year.
It has gotten to be a joke now and when I get my yearly rosemary plant I am told “Happy Mother’s Day Mom, here’s this year’s rosemary plant for you to kill!”
I am happy to report that this year’s rosemary plant has managed to survive, somewhat, at least enough to make a fabulously delicious Rosemary Lemon Grilled Chicken dinner!
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How to make lemon rosemary chicken
This is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- In bowl combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, kosher salt and cracked black pepper until blended. Reserve 1 Tablespoon of the lemon mixture.
- Transfer the remaining lemon mixture to zip lock plastic food storage bag. Add the chicken, seal and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours, turning once.
- Preheat the grill for direct-heat grilling.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade; discard the marinade.
- Grill the chicken until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer registers 165F, turning once, and brushing with reserved Tablespoon of lemon mixture during last 5 minutes of the grilling time.
- Transfer the chicken from grill onto a serving platter and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, grill the lemon slices until just caramelized, about 3 minutes, turning once. Arrange the lemon slices on top of the chicken and serve.
Recipe Tips
- You can marinate the chicken ahead and place it in the freezer to use at a later time. Transfer it to the refrigerator and let the chicken thaw overnight before grilling.
- This marinade will also work well with seafood such as shrimp, scallops and cod, but only marinate seafood for 15 minutes or up to 30 minutes.
- Add a Tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning to the marinade for a bold intense flavor
Substitutions
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs can replace the chicken breasts
- Change the citrus flavor and use lime instead of lemon
Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Balsamic Chicken
- Grilled Pineapple Chicken
- Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Gremolata
- Grilled Chicken and Peaches
What to serve with grilled chicken
Ingredients
Ingredients for chicken with rosemary and lemon
- lemons
- olive oil
- garlic
- fresh rosemary
- kosher salt
- cracked black pepper
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
Grilled Rosemary Lemon Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon , thinly sliced crosswise, into about 8 slices
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Instructions
- In bowl combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, kosher salt and cracked black pepper until blended. Reserve 1 Tablespoon of the lemon mixture.
- Transfer the remaining lemon mixture to zip lock plastic food storage bag. Add the chicken, seal and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours, turning once.
- Preheat the grill for direct-heat grilling.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade; discard the marinade.
- Grill the chicken until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer registers 165F, turning once, and brushing with reserved Tablespoon of lemon mixture during last 5 minutes of the grilling time.
- Transfer the chicken from grill onto a serving platter and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, grill the lemon slices until just caramelized, about 3 minutes, turning once. Arrange the lemon slices on top of the chicken and serve.
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