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The Best Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

July 19, 2024
Shanika | Orchids + Sweet Tea

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Turn your chicken into something downright delicious with this zesty Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade—it's ideal for grilling, pan-searing, baking, and so much more!

The Best Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

Transform your chicken with this zesty Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade. Bursting with flavors of fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, a hint of honey dijon mustard, and the freshness of parsley, this marinade elevates every bite. Whether you're grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this marinade promises to infuse your chicken with tangy, herbaceous goodness! Completely Dairy-free.

Marinated chicken on a baking sheet with foil paper and a gold spoon.

I've been whipping up this Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade for literally years and years—it's right up there with my fave Homemade BBQ Sauce! It's my ultimate go-to whenever chicken's on the menu (Which is often. Haha.) Taking just 5 minutes to whip together. Perfect for grilling, baking, pan-searing, air-frying—however you like your chicken cooked!

It's packed with vibrant, herby flavors, and I usually double the batch because it's that good! Haha. While it's perfect for chicken, it's also fantastic with fish like salmon or even tofu. If you enjoy whipping up your own marinades/sauces be sure to explore the Sauces, Dressings, & Seasonings section of the site for recipes like garlic herb butter, homemade steak and burger seasonings, fresh pesto, and a whole lot more goodness!

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Ingredients on a brown grey-ish table.

Why You Will LOVE This Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

  • Bursting with zesty lemon + savory garlic flavors.
  • So versatile for grilling, baking, or pan-searing!
  • Quick to prepare—just 5 minutes and you're done.
  • Easily customizable to suit your taste.
  • Make-ahead friendly + perfect for busy days.
  • Elevates chicken dishes to restaurant-quality taste
Chopped herbs and lemons on a cutting board with a knife.

Ingredients For Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

The great thing about this chicken marinade recipe is that it uses very simple ingredients that you probably already have at home!

MARINADE:

  • Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
  • Lemon. Freshly-squeezed.
  • Garlic cloves. Freshly minced for the best flavor!
  • Herbs + seasonings. Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil + dried thyme.
  • Honey dijon mustard. This adds a nice tangy element but it's optional!
  • Fresh parsley. Adds a nice herby freshness!

How To Make The Lemon Garlic Herb Marinade

In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until they’re fully combined. Pour the marinade over your chicken and store it in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Let it sit for at least 1-2 hours, but overnight is even better for those amazing flavors to really soak in. Then, cook the chicken however you like—baked, grilled, you name it. Bon Appetit!

Crushed herbs on a wood  motor and pestal.

How To Use Lemon Garlic Herb Marinade

Pour the marinade over your chicken pieces in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Ensure the chicken is well coated. Seal it up and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours. For the best flavor, let it marinate overnight. If you’re short on time, a few hours will still give you great results!

Freezing Option

You can also marinate the chicken and freeze it right in the marinade. Just toss the chicken and marinade into a freezer-safe bag, squeeze out as much air as you can, and pop it in the freezer. When you’re ready to cook, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight and cook it up like usual. It's a great way to meal plan and stay ahead of the game!

What Cut Of Chicken Should I Use?

You can use any cut of chicken you prefer! Whether it's chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings, this marinade works perfectly. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly for juicy, flavorful results every time!

How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?

Whether you're baking, grilling, air-frying, or pan-searing, it's crucial to make sure your chicken is fully cooked on the inside while staying juicy and flavorful. Here are a few tips to ensure it's perfect every time:

  • Check the color & juices. Cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and the meat is opaque with no pinkness, it's likely cooked.
  • Temperature. For certainty, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part.
  • Let it rest. After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside for a tastier result.
Marinated chicken on a baking sheet with foil, herbs, and lemons.

What Can I Pair Lemon Garlic Chicken With?

The possibilities are endless with this lemon chicken recipe, here are a few ideas-

  • Pasta dishes. Slice or shred the chicken and mix it into your favorite pasta dish. The lemony herb flavor can be a great addition to creamy pasta dishes like Weeknight Creamy Chicken Alfredo
  • Potatoes. It goes beautifully with mashed potato or Easy Vegan Roasted Potato Salad
  • Sandwiches. Create mouthwatering sandwiches by adding chicken to wraps, subs, or paninis for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
  • Pizza toppings: Sprinkle it over pizza along with your preferred ingredients, and watch your pizza come to life with a burst of savory goodness, I love adding it to this simple Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza for some extra protein!
  • Salads. Turn salads into hearty meals by tossing in chicken. It adds protein and a satisfying dimension to your greens. It would be a perfect addition to this Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad
  • Buddha bowls: Assemble nourishing Buddha bowls with a base of grains, greens, basmati or brown rice then layer on colorful vegetables, grains, and your chicken for a complete, balanced meal!

The Best Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade Q + A's

How to store?

Leftover marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

How do I adjust the marinade for a smaller or larger batch?

Simply scale the ingredients up or down as needed. Just keep the ratios consistent for the best flavor.

Can I use this marinade for a vegetarian option?

Yes, it’s great for marinating vegetables, tofu, tempeh + more. Just adjust the marinating time based on what you’re using.

How can I tell if my grilled chicken has absorbed enough marinade flavor?

You’ll know the chicken has absorbed the flavor when the outside is nicely charred and caramelized. For extra flavor, consider basting the chicken with additional marinade while cooking.

Can I use this marinade for grilling skewers?

Absolutely! Just cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces, marinate them as usual, and then skewer and grill for a delicious, flavorful option.

Up close shot of marinated chicken.

More Chicken Recipes You Will LOVE

If you enjoyed The Best Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinadedon't forget to add these delicious creations to your "must-make" list.

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this The Best Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Up close shot of marinated chicken.

The Best Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

July 19, 2024
No ratings yet
Transform your chicken into something extraordinary with this zesty Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade. Bursting with flavors of fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, a hint of honey dijon mustard, and the freshness of parsley, this marinade elevates every bite. Whether you're grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this marinade promises to infuse your chicken with tangy, herbaceous goodness! Completely Dairy-free.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1 cup

Ingredients

MARINADE:

  • 1 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, freshly-squeezed
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon honey dijon mustard, optional
  • handful freshly parsley, chopped

Instructions

TO MAKE THE MARINADE:

  • In a bowl, add all the ingredients together, whisking to fully combine.
  • When ready to use, pour the marinade over the chicken and store the chicken in an airtight container or ziplock bag for 1-2 hours minimum or overnight for the best results.
  • Cook chicken per usual by your favorite method (baked, grilled, etc.).
  • Enjoy!
  • Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

STORAGE: Leftover marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 1.986kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 217g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Monounsaturated Fat: 158g | Sodium: 2.339mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 5mg

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Xx, Shanika in script writing

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