Grilled Lemon Chicken

Name: Grilled Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness and towel dried); 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 4 large cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon pure honey (heaping); 1 tablespoon stone ground (heaping spoon, or coarse mustard, with whole seeds); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 lemon zest (large); 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil (or parsley for garnish)

By Amy Dong
Updated May. 29, 2025

I keep this Grilled Lemon Chicken recipe on rotation for busy weeknights. It can be made on outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill. You’ll only need a handful of simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of cook time.

Overhead shot of grilled lemon chicken with sliced lemon wedges on top and chopped herbs. — When I want something light, fast, and full of flavor, I make this Grilled Lemon Chicken.

Video: watch us make this Recipe

Why This Recipe Stands Out

This Grilled Lemon Chicken is my go-to when I want something simple, bright, and absolutely packed with flavor. Here’s why it’s a favorite at our house:

Zesty, Juicy, and Quick: The lemony marinade makes the chicken tender, flavorful, and anything but boring. It’s light and vibrant, like our Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken, but ready in a fraction of the time.
Weeknight-Friendly, Company-Worthy: It’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests. That’s the sweet spot I love, just like with our Chicken Marsala Recipe.
Made with Pantry Staples: Everything in the marinade is probably already in your kitchen – olive oil, mustard, garlic, lemon. Simple ingredients, big flavor, just like our Honey Soy Chicken.
Grill It Once, Use It Twice: Leftovers go great in salads, wraps, or bowls. It’s one of those recipes I love to double so we can eat well without cooking twice.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Chicken Breasts – We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy prep and even grilling. Pounding them to an even thickness helps them cook perfectly and stay juicy.
Lemon Juice and Zest – There’s no better way to brighten up grilled chicken than with a splash of lemon juice, and a bit of zest takes the flavor even further.
Honey and Mustard – A spoonful of honey balances the tang of stone ground mustard, adding just the right touch of sweetness to round out the marinade.

Substitutions And Variations

Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:

Mustard Options: Stone ground mustard adds texture and tang, but Dijon works well if you prefer a smoother sauce.
Different Sweetener: Honey balances the acidity perfectly, but maple syrup or agave nectar can step in if needed. Each adds a slightly different sweetness, but all work beautifully in the marinade.
Garlic Adjustments: Fresh garlic brings bold flavor, but if you’re short on time, use 1 tsp garlic powder per clove as a quick backup. Roasted Garlic is also delicious for a milder, sweeter bite.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Chicken being pierced with a fork with a lemon marinade on top.

Marinated lemon chicken being placed on a grill to make grilled lemon chicken.

Pork holes in chicken with a fork and add the marinade.
Grill marinated chicken, basting occasionally with reserved marinade.

Grilled lemon chicken being flipped in a grill with visible grill marks on top.

Fresh herbs being sprinkled on top of grilled lemon chicken before serving.

Cook each side until grill marks appear and chicken is just cooked through.
Sprinkle with lemon zest and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:

Marinate Ahead: You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Prep the marinade, coat the chicken, and store it covered in the fridge. The longer soak helps boost flavor and tenderness, just be sure to reserve 1/4 cup of marinade for basting before adding the raw chicken.
Grill and Store: Grill the chicken ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Reheat gently or serve chilled over salads, pastas, or grain bowls.
Double and Use for Meal Prep: Grill extra and use leftovers throughout the week in wraps, sandwiches, or sliced over rice. This chicken is super versatile and keeps things fresh without extra work.

Grilled lemon chicken with sliced lemon wedges on top and chopped herbs. — This Grilled Lemon Chicken is fresh, tangy, and ridiculously easy. Just a quick marinade, hot grill, and it’s ready to serve.

What To Serve With Grilled lemon chicken

Starches

We love serving this Grilled Lemon Chicken with a side of Cilantro Lime Rice. The zesty, herby flavor pairs perfectly with the bright lemon marinade.
It also goes great with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice when we want something simple and comforting. For a protein-packed twist, quinoa makes a great base too.

Veggies and Salads

We love how fresh this Grilled Lemon Chicken tastes with a Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad. The lemony orzo echoes the marinade and makes the plate feel vibrant and summery.
It also goes great with Easy Roasted Vegetables or a Farro Salad when we want to add texture and color.
For something hearty and wholesome, we pair it with some Roasted Red Potatoes or Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.

Drinks

We love sipping a Mango Cocktail with Grilled Lemon Chicken. It’s fruity and tropical, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory notes.
It also goes great with The Best Mojitos or a tall glass of Summer Sangria when we’re serving this chicken for a warm-weather gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the chicken need to marinate?

Fully submerge the chicken in the marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Any longer and the acid in the lemon juice will begin to denature (cook) the chicken, causing it to break down before it is placed on the grill.

How long should I keep the chicken on the grill?

To ensure your chicken is fully cooked, you’ll want to use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. Be careful not to overcook! Typically, it will only take about 4 minutes on each side. You’ll know it’s done when grill marks are visible, and the center is no longer pink.

Can I use this marinade for more than chicken?

Yes, we love to pair this lemon marinade with other protein sources such as lemon garlic swordfish, lemon butter mahi mahi, and tilapia. It also works well with shrimp, and don’t forget to try it with veggies. Use it to coat broccoli or cauliflower, and add them to the grill, too. You won’t believe how delicious they taste.

How long does Grilled Lemon Chicken keep?

Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Did you make this?

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