This grilled lemon pepper chicken recipe is seriously the best ever! The chicken is marinated in lemon pepper and soy sauce producing the perfect, flavorful and moist chicken. This recipe will be your next 'lifesaver', your immediate 'go to' whether cooking for your family or hosting!
This grilled lemon pepper chicken is also 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 guacamole and chips, kale salad, pasta salad... you name it!
about this recipe
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! Enjoy!
- This marinated chicken can be cooked in the oven or on a grill
- If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, this chicken reheats well and makes the perfect lunch
- You can use this lemon pepper and soy sauce chicken to top salads or pair with a simple veggie side
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge
- This marinade is light enough that it compliments many different flavors
ingredient notes
- Chicken Use what you have. 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 I use Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend that comes in a grinder. It adds an amazing flavor!
- Garlic Use fresh garlic. Mince it with a garlic press.
- 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, haha! 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 is what you will need:
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ cup less-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 4 tablespoons or ¼ cup of lemon pepper seasoning
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
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. Seal the bag or place a lid on the bowl. Refrigerate marinating chicken for two to three hours.
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 in an oven safe pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Chicken will be done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees
notes and 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.
- Don't spend extra money on chicken just because it is labeled "no addded hormones". By law, hormones are not allowed in raising poultry. Adding hormones to chicken has been banned in the US since the 1950's. Check out the USDA website for more details.
- 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.
- Coconut aminos tastes slightly sweet and, surprisingly, does not taste like coconuts.
- 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.
other great kid-friendly 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 tbsp 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❤️