Pic Credit: therecipecritic
Lemon pepper grilled chicken is an aromatic meal with stunning characteristics of lemons and a peculiar note of black pepper. This recipe is so ideal for summer grilling, as it’ll yield a moist and soft chicken which can also be incorporated in various meals.
Grilled lemon pepper chicken itself also can be used in salad and wrap as the main ingredients because of the easy preparation. In this guide, you will learn everything that you need to know when it comes to preparing grilled lemon pepper chicken, including ingredients and steps.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
- 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Marinade Time: Make sure that the chicken is soaked in the marinade for as long as possible; the minimum is 1 hour while the best is overnight. Lemon and spices penetrate deep into the chicken meat fibers and boost in flavor with increased hours of marination.
- Cooking Temperature: A meat thermometer should be used to assure you that the food is properly cooked and should have a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius) to effectively eliminate bacteria. This way you are sure your grilled lemon pepper chicken is well done, fully cooked but still moist.
- Resting Time: Let the grilled chicken to cool for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking since this helps in making the chicken moist and tasty. Trimming can also easily cause dry chicken if it is done before the cooked meat is fully rested.
- Grill Preparation: Grill your potatoes at moderately high heat, about 400°F or 200°C and oil the grill to avoid the potatoes sticking to it. Your meat will have those nice grill marks on it and it also helps to lock in the juices.
- Ingredient Quality: Prepare the ingredients to be used fresh such as lemons and herbs for the best flavor profile. The lemon juice extracted directly from a lemon is way tastier than the lemon juice that comes in a bottle.
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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Chicken Breasts: Frozen works well if skinless, boneless chicken breasts are used, so that the temperature will cook it evenly and there are no bones to get in the way. These small steaks can be grilled quickly and owing to their tenderness they soak up the marinade well.
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Olive Oil: Serves as a binder for the marinade improving both moisture and flavor. It also aids in getting a good sear on the grill.
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Lemon Juice & Zest: Lemon juice straight from the lemon gives the acidity; zest to enhance the lemon flavor. The blend enhances the flavor of your grilled lemon pepper chicken into an even greater height.
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Honey: It helps blends the acidic taste of the lemon with some form of sweetness. It also aids in producing a brown layer when barbecuing or grilling.
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Lemon Pepper Seasoning: You can use purchased or make seasoning in your own; depending in what you prefer most. If preparing on your own you can ground black pepper and dry lemon rind for the true taste of the spice or blend.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, minced garlic and lemon pepper seasoning by whisk. Ensure that there is an even distribution of all the marinade so that all the ingredients penetrate completely in the desired ingredient.
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Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the marinade and stir well to make sure the chicken is adequately covered on each side. Immediately seal it with plastic foil or place all items in another plastic bag that is airtight. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour up to 12 hours for best result when it comes to letting the flavors blend.
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Preheat Grill: First of all, let me tell you something important about grilling: The best grills’ surface temperature is 400°F or 200°C. To ensure the grates do not stick on the ready steaks, lightly grease them with olive oil using a paper towel or nonstick spray.
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Remove Chicken from Marinade: Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator as you prepare it for grilling because chicken that is too cold will not grill well. This helps it cook evenly.
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Grill Chicken: Grill the chicken according to the marination you have given it. Fry the patties for roughly 6-10 minutes on each side or until crispy, golden, with some char and cooked inside, preferably at 74°F with a meat thermometer. Do not apply pressure on the chicken while barbecuing; this same pressure release juices which moist the chicken.
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Rest Chicken: After grilling remove the chicken from the grill and place on a cutting board for roughly 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This resting period permits juices that have themselves been pushed to the surface of the meat to flow back again to the center.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Add Spice: To make it spicy you add seasoned red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the marinade to enhance heat intensity. This should introduce a great heat to your grilled lemon pepper chicken, which will go very well with the zesty blend.
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Herb Infusion: Add depth of flavor to the marinade by soaking it up together with fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary. Notably, herbs are useful in improving aroma in addition to taste of foods.
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Alternative Cuts: I generally use chicken thighs or wings for this recipe; always consider the length of time to prepare your chicken ingredients, thighs might take slightly longer because of the fat content.
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Grill Marks: To get those nice grill-lines, do not flip your chicken too soon, let it grill before flipping it over. This will not only make presentation better, but also resulting in better taste because of the caramelization.
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Serve with Sides: Accompany with grilled vegetables or a fresh salad to complete your next meal. It’s good to think of including sides such as corn on the cob or baked potatoes for a sumptuous summer meal.
EQUIPMENT
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Grill (gas or charcoal)
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Mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Meat thermometer
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Tongs
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Plastic wrap or resealable plastic bag
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
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Garnish Generously: This is best eaten with fresh lemon wedges placed on the side so guests can squeeze on top of their portions of the dish.
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Add Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some chopped parsley or cilantro on it before you serve; this adds color and taste that excites the eye and palate.
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Pair with Sides: I suggest pair it with other dishes like grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, or a simple pasta salad that will enhance the great taste of the grilled lemon pepper chicken fairly well.
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Leftovers: For the second dish, it is ideal to use the leftovers for those midweek meals in wraps or salads, they’re good in grain bowls or even sandwiches!
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Sauce Options: Think about using with thick sauces such as ranch or garlic aioli for dipping because sometimes the zest of the dish can be calmed down a bit by using creamy viscosity.
If you're looking for a quick and flavorful meal, check out this easy Honey Butter Chicken recipe.
