Grilled Chicken Breast
Juicy, perfectly tender chicken breasts infused with garlic, lemon, and herbs for a healthy and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- •4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
- •3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- •1 teaspoon dried oregano
- •1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch so they cook uniformly.
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- 3
Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, turning to coat them thoroughly in the marinade.
- 4
Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- 5
Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- 6
Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook undisturbed for about 5 to 6 minutes until nice grill marks form.
- 7
Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- 8
Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
💡 Chef tips
- Do not skip pounding the chicken to an even thickness; it ensures the thin end doesn't dry out while the thick end finishes cooking.
- You can substitute dried thyme or rosemary for the oregano depending on your flavor preference.
- Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for easy meal prep.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished chicken breasts should be beautifully charred on the outside, incredibly juicy on the inside, and savory with a bright hint of lemon and garlic.