Made with a flavorful and super easy 5-ingredient marinade, this mouthwatering grilled lemon pepper chicken will be your next go-to recipe on busy weeknights and when hosting summertime picnics!
Magic happens when you combine the flavors of lemon pepper, fresh garlic, and soy sauce with chicken! And if you don't have a grill, bake it in the oven instead.
And just like my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken, this grilled lemon pepper chicken a big hit with kids! It can easily be made 'gluten-free' (for those kiddos diagnosed with gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease) by using tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos in place of less-sodium soy sauce.
With most social gatherings now being outside and at someone's home, there will likely be more and more opportunities to host and that can feel overwhelming - don't let it!
Serve this ridiculously delicious, marinated chicken with homemade guacamole and chips, kale salad, and pasta salad. It's the perfect protein to go with pretty much any side - you're welcome:)
Why This Recipe is so Great
I love to host and I love to cook. In order to enjoy having company while not being distracted by food prep and 'hands-on' cooking, I need to keep things simple... and, of course, delicious!
I made this recipe for friends just last week. They said, "you need to add this to your blog!". So, here it is! Your family will love it!
- 5 ingredients.
- Quick and easy marinade.
- Made with simple and easy to find ingredients.
- Can be cooked in the oven, on the grill, or on a skillet.
- Leftovers reheat well.
- More savory than classic lemon pepper marinades thanks to the soy sauce.
- Can be used to top salads or pair with a simple veggie side. It's so versatile!
- This marinade is light enough that it compliments many different flavors.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Good source of protein. I use thin-sliced chicken breasts because they absorb more marinade and are quicker to cook. Boneless skinless chicken breasts and chicken thighs also work well but may take longer to cook.
- Less-Sodium Soy Sauce For a savory flavor. Coconut aminos also work well in this recipe. Coconut aminos will produce a sweeter (but still delicious) flavor.
- Lemon-Pepper This seasoning can be found in just about every grocery store in the States. I use Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend that comes in a grinder. It adds an amazing flavor.
- Garlic Use fresh garlic. Garlic contains prebiotics. Prebiotics are good for gut health.
- Olive Oil I use extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil contains polyphenols, with the most found in extra virgin olive oil. Additionally, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and contains antioxidants that contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Water Cost saving! Do you have any idea how much we spend on products (like marinades and dressings) that are made with a lot of water?
How to Make This Lemon Pepper and Soy Sauce Marinade
Making this lemon pepper and soy sauce marinade is so simple! Here's what you need to do:
- Simply mix all the listed ingredients together either in a large resealable plastic bag or large mixing bowl.
- Place chicken in marinade. Make sure all chicken is completely covered by the marinade.
- Seal the bag or place a lid on the bowl. Refrigerate marinating chicken for two to three hours before cooking it.
Cooking the Chicken
This is a grilled chicken recipe, but it can easily be done in the oven. Below you will find instructions for both cooking methods!
Grilling Instructions
- First clean and oil the grates.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Once hot, place chicken over direct heat and grill for about 6-8 minutes.
- Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees (about 6-12 minutes depending on thickness of chicken breast).
Baking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Place the marinated chicken pieces on an oven safe pan and discard the marinade. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Chicken will be done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Dietitian Tip
By law, hormones are not allowed in raising poultry. So, there's no need to spend extra money at the grocery store for chicken with "no added hormones" on the label.
Adding hormones to chicken has been banned in the US since the 1950's. Check out the USDA website for more details.
Expert Tips
- Chicken thighs are not as lean as chicken breasts, but they are often less expensive, and some people just prefer to cook with them.
- I suggest using thin-sliced chicken breast. I have found that not only do they cook quicker (than standard chicken breast) but they also cook more evenly. You can either buy them already "thin-sliced" or take a standard chicken breast and thinly slice it yourself.
- Coconut aminos is lower in sodium than less-sodium soy sauce (it is still not considered "low sodium") and it is soy free and gluten free.
- If you do not have a garlic press, you can take a clove of garlic, lay the flat side of a knife over the garlic clove and smash it. Trim away the root end with the tip of your knife and the skin of the garlic should peel right off. Discard the skin and roughly chop the clove until it's finely minced.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Lemon pepper seasoning is sometimes easier to measure by the tablespoon. Thankfully it's easy to convert tablespoons to cups and cups to tablespoons to make measuring ingredients easier.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Did you try this Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken? Tell me how it went! Leave a comment below.
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Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 -2 ½ pounds chicken
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ cup less-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- ⅓ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 4 tablespoon or ¼ cup of lemon pepper seasoning
- 4 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
Marinade
- Mix water, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), olive oil, lemon pepper, and garlic together either in a bowl or a large resealable bag
- Place chicken in the marinade, making sure all of the chicken is coated by the marinade.
- If using a bowl to marinate, cover the bowl before placing it in the refrigerator.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on an oven-safe pan.
- Cook chicken in the oven for 30 minutes. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°.
Grilling Instructions
- First clean and oil the grates.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Once hot, place chicken over direct heat and grill for about 6-8 minutes.
- Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° (about 6-12 minutes depending on thickness of chicken breast).
Dani Hollingsworth
Yummm..always looking for a good, fast marinade❤️