Lemon Rosemary Chicken

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This grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken is the perfect summer recipe.  The marinade flavor is so intense thanks to a little secret I’ll share with you.  It is often said that we eat with our noses. That the smell of certain foods make our mouths water and crave to eat that tantalizing food.

Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken on a white platter.

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Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken is all about your senses. When you close your eyes and breathe in the delicious aroma of this chicken, your mouth will start to water. The flavor is just summer on a plate. You will be making and craving it often.

The key is the simple but very fresh Mediterranean ingredients that add so much flavor. The tang of lemon and the rich woodsy flavor of the rosemary sprig are enhanced by the grilling experience.

Need more summer grill recipes, check out this link!


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What We Love About This Rosemary Lemon Chicken Breast Recipe

A key component in this marinated chicken recipe is the grilled lemon. If you have never tried it, you will love it. When you grill the lemon it becomes caramelized and sweeter, making it the best lemon chicken breast you’ve ever tried.  It is not only great in this marinade but also for drinks and side dished too!

  • 30 Minute Meal: It is a quick and easy recipe that only takes a few minutes.
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or the refrigerator.
  • Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy free.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: Make leftovers into salads, sandwiches or tacos.

Ingredient Notes

  • Lemon: The lemon juice in this recipe really enhances this dish.
  • Dijon mustard: It adds some tang to this dish.
  • Fresh rosemary, minced but dry will work as well.
  • Garlic, cloves garlic, minced
  •  All Purpose Seasoning: The recipe is linked here.
  • Skinless, boneless chicken: 4 thin pounded breasts
A Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken with rosemary on the side.

Equipment Needed for Rosemary Marinated Chicken

How to Make Rosemary Lemon Chicken

These are the basic steps for making marinated rosemary chicken. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.

Making a marinade for the chicken.

STEP 1: Make Marinade

First, grill lemons, cut side down, over hot fire until deep brown and caramelized, 5-8 minutes. Next, squeeze 3 tablespoons juice from grilled lemons into a medium bowl and then stir in  sugar, salt along with, my All Purpose Seasoning and black pepper and whisk to combine. Then add fresh chopped garlic and next add your fresh chopped rosemary and slowly add in oil, whisk in oil until emulsified; reserve 1/3 cup.

STEP 2: Let Sit

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and then pour the marinade over chicken in bowl or zip top bag and let marinate for 30 to 60 minutes.

Adding the olive oil and mixing the chicken marinade.

STEP 3: Grill

Next, remove chicken from marinade and discard. Grill chicken over a medium high heat until well browned and cooked through (meat should measure 160 degrees). Adjust cook time until internal temperature is reached. Finally, during the last 5 minutes brush chicken with the remaining marinade. Remove chicken from grill and drizzle on remaining marinade.

Grilling the chicken.

Prep and Storage Tips for Lemon and Rosemary Chicken

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

You can safely leave marinated chicken in the refrigerator for up to two days, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store in an airtight container for up to four days.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

Cooked chicken or leftovers can be stored for up to six months in an airtight container or a freezer bag.

Frequently Asked Questions about Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BEST GRILLED CHICKEN.

When grilling chicken, especially the breasts, there are a few tips and tricks to make it a success. No one likes the dry, tough chicken that you can sometimes end up with.
1.)  First, make sure that you pound out your chicken breast so that they will cook quicker and more evenly.
2.) Always try and add some moisture while you are cooking chicken breast, because there is not a lot of fat, you need to add moisture and flavor so try marinades, brines and sauces. Save some sauce or marinade for the end so you really get the flavor in the end.
3.) Oil your grill so that your chicken doesn’t stick and stay away from too high a heat for your grill.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT CITRUS ?

Of course, try using lime in place of lemon. Also, you can use whatever fresh herbs that you enjoy.

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD CHICKEN BE COOKED?

The internal temperature of the chicken that is 165°F. Therefore, keep a meat thermometer handy. It takes out the guess work and remember no one likes under or overcooked meat.

A closeup on the chicken on a dish.

Expert Tips for Making This Lemon Rosemary Garlic Chicken Recipe

  • This Recipe Can be Doubled: Make as many versions of this recipe as you need, just increase the recipe card below.
  • Add Lemon Zest: Finish the dish with some fresh lemon zest.
  • Different Chicken: Bone-in chicken breasts, chicken thighs can also work.
  • Grill Pan: Cook inside using a grill pan or bake in the oven.
  • Extra: Grill more lemons and even the rosemary and use as garnish or for drinks.
  • Try it on Everything: While this recipe works great on chicken, it is great for steak, pork, fish or vegetables.

What to Serve with Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken

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Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken on a white platter.
5 from 21 votes

Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Marinade time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 24 minutes
This Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken is the perfect summer recipe.  The marinade flavor is so intense thanks to a little secret I’ll share with you.  It is often said that we eat with our noses. That the smell of certain foods make our mouths water and crave to eat that tantalizing food.
Print Pin Rate Save
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon House Seasoning Blend
  • cup olive oil
  • 4 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions

  • Preheat grill to medium high heat.
  • Grill lemon halves, cut side down until deep brown and caramelized, about 5-8 minutes.
  • Squeeze juice from grilled lemon halves into medium bowl.
  • Stir in mustard, rosemary, garlic, sugar and House Seasoning Blend.
  • Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified.
  • Reserve 1/3 cup of marinade.
  • Place chicken in bowl or zipper bag and pour over marinade.
  • Marinate for 30 – 60 minutes.
  • Remove chicken from marinade and discard.
  • Grill chicken on medium high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side.
  • During the last five minutes of grilling, baste chicken with reserved marinade.
  • Remove chicken when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  • Drizzle with remaining reserved marinade.

Expert Tips

  • This Recipe Can be Doubled: Make as many versions of this recipe as you need, just increase the recipe card below.
  • Add Lemon Zest: Finish the dish with some fresh lemon zest.
  • Different Chicken: Bone-in chicken breasts, chicken thighs can also work.
  • Grill Pan: Cook inside using a grill pan.
  • Extra: Grill more lemons and even the rosemary and use as garnish or for drinks.
  • Try it on Everything: While this recipe works great on chicken, it is great for steak, pork, fish or vegetables.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 437mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 15.9mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.7mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

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27 thoughts on “Lemon Rosemary Chicken”

  1. It was really delicious. I used 6 chicken thighs and doubled the recipe. I also added 4 cloves of chopped garlic to add more flavor. I would highly recommend.

    Reply

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