Easy Grilled Chicken Breast 🍗

Grilled Lemon Zest Chicken Breasts: A Flavorful Delight

When it comes to grilling chicken, achieving that perfect balance of juicy tenderness and bold flavor can seem like a daunting task. Fear not, for this recipe for Grilled Lemon Zest Chicken Breasts will guide you to culinary success! With a simple yet flavorful marinade, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue. Let’s dive into the details.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, about 6 ounces each) 🐔
• ¼ cup olive oil 🫒
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
• 1 teaspoon onion powder 🧅
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 🌶️
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 🌿
• ½ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️
• ½ teaspoon salt 🧂
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from one lemon) 🍋

Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

Start by placing the chicken breasts into a large ziplock bag. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, and lemon zest to the bag. Seal the bag and squeeze it to mix the ingredients and fully coat the chicken breasts. Place the bag in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for best results, let it marinate for up to 4 hours.

2️⃣ Preheat Your Grill

Oil the grates of your grill to prevent sticking. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat to ensure it’s hot and ready for the chicken.

3️⃣ Grill the Chicken

Remove the chicken breasts from the ziplock bag and discard the excess marinade. Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill, cover, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Lift the cover, flip the breasts, and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side. If the chicken sticks to the grill, allow it to cook longer on that side to form grill marks, which indicates it’s ready to be flipped.

4️⃣ Check the Internal Temperature

Using an instant-read digital meat thermometer, check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should read at least 165℉ when inserted into the center of the breast. If it hasn’t reached 165℉, allow the chicken to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes and check again.

5️⃣ Rest and Serve

Once fully cooked, transfer the chicken breasts to a plate, cover with foil, and let them rest for 5 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is succulent and flavorful.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Marinate Time: 30 minutes – 4 hours
• Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
• Total Time: 52 minutes – 4 hours 24 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings

Tips for Success

• Marinating Time: The longer the marinating time, the more the flavors will penetrate the chicken, making it more delicious.
• Grill Temperature: Ensure your grill is hot enough to create those beautiful grill marks and lock in the juices.
• Resting Time: Don’t skip the resting period after grilling. It makes a significant difference in the texture and juiciness of the chicken.

Conclusion

This Grilled Lemon Zest Chicken Breast recipe is a sure way to impress your family and friends with minimal effort. The combination of lemon zest and spices infuses the chicken with a refreshing and smoky flavor that’s hard to resist. Serve it with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Enjoy your grilling adventure!