Grilled Lemon-Parsley Chicken Breasts – Quick, Easy & Soo Delicious!

Welcome to your new favorite way to enjoy chicken breast—grilled, juicy, and bursting with flavor!

Many home cooks shy away from grilling chicken breasts because they fear ending up with dry, bland meat.

However, this recipe will debunk that myth by showing you how to prepare and grill thinly sliced chicken breasts that remain moist and exciting with the help of a vibrant lemon-parsley marinade.

Here’s why this recipe rocks:

• Quick Cooking Time: Thin slices mean shorter cooking times, making this an ideal recipe for busy weeknights or impromptu barbecues.
• Even Cooking: Thin, uniform slices cook more evenly, reducing the risk of dry or undercooked spots.
• Enhanced Flavor Absorption: The larger surface area allows more of the marinade to penetrate the meat, infusing it with flavor from edge to edge.

Ingredients & Equipment

To create delicious and juicy grilled lemon-parsley chicken breasts, you’ll need a few key ingredients and some basic tools.

Here’s everything you’ll need for this recipe:

Main Ingredients

• 3 – 4 Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, that you can slice into two to make them thinner for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Juice of 1 Lemon: Provides the acidic base of your marinade that helps tenderize the chicken and infuse it with a fresh, citrusy zing.
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped, it will add a vibrant, herby freshness that complements the lemon.
• 3 Garlic Cloves: Minced, to give the marinade a pungent depth of flavor that stands up to the grill’s high heat.
• 6 tablespoons Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons of regular and 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to help bind the marinade and keep the chicken moist and extra virgin olive for the base of the sauce.
• 2 teaspoons Mustard: Either Dijon or whole grain, to emulsify the marinade and add a tangy complexity.
• 1 teaspoon Sugar: To balance the acidity of the lemon juice and enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
• Salt and Black Pepper (about 1 teaspoon each): To taste, essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the marinade and sauce.

Tools & Equipment

• Grill: Gas grill or charcoal grill (or even an electric grill will do).
• Whisk or Fork: For combining the ingredients thoroughly.
• Mixing Bowls: To prepare the sauce and marinade.
• Large Container or Plastic Bag: For marinating the chicken.
• Grill Tools: Tongs and a grill spatula for flipping the chicken.
• Meat Thermometer: Optional but recommended, to ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly to a safe internal temperature.

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade & Sauce

First, we will make the marinade and sauce in separate bowls.

• Sauce: Whisk 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, half of the lemon juice, half of the chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of mustard, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside for serving later as a sauce.
• Marinade: Whisk 3 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, remaining lemon juice, remaining parsley, 1 teaspoon of mustard, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper together in a small bowl. This will used as a marinade.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Marinating chicken breasts properly is key to achieving maximum flavor and tenderness.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Even Coating:
   • Place chicken in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Massage gently to help the marinade penetrate.
2. Refrigeration:
   • Cover the dish or seal the bag, and refrigerate. This keeps the marination process safe and effective.
3. Marinating Time:
   • Marinate the chicken for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Avoid longer times to prevent the acids in the marinade from altering the texture of the meat.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

• Preheat the Grill: If using a gas grill, turn it on to high heat. For charcoal grills, light the charcoal and let it burn until it’s covered with gray ash. Preheat your grill to a high temperature—around 400-450°F (200-230°C) and make sure it cleaned properly.
• Start Grilling: Lay the marinated chicken breasts evenly spaced on the grill.

• Flip the Chicken: After 5-8 minutes, flip the chicken as the other side should now have a nice sear. The exact time depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts and how hot your grill is.
• Finish Grilling: Grill for about 5-8 minutes more. For complete safety, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!

• Rest: Remove the chicken breasts from the grill and let them rest for about 5 minutes allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the breast.

Plating & Serving Suggestions

Now it’s time to serve and eat the deliciously flavorful grilled chicken breasts.

• Drizzle with Sauce: No matter how you decide to serve your chicken breasts, don’t forget to drizzle them with lemon-parsley sauce!
• Sandwiches or Salad: These grilled chicken breasts are great for making sandwiches or salad.
• Plate with Sides: One great option is to serve the chicken with your favorite sides (e.g. french fries, rice, grilled veggies, salad.)

Is It Healthy?

Yes, in addition to being super delicious, this recipe is also healthy!

• Low in Calories: Chicken breasts are a lean source of protein, making this dish low in calories but high in nutritional value.
• Rich in Protein: Each serving is packed with high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
• Good Fats: Using olive oil and extra virgin olive oil gives you some good fats, supporting a healthy diet.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Lemon and parsley provide vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron, boosting the dish’s nutritional profile.

Final Thoughts

The whole family just loves this recipe and I keep on cooking it time after time.

But sometimes it’s nice to change things up a bit. So after mastering this basic version, you can experiment with different marinades and sauces, cooking techniques, and serving ideas to continue improving your grilling prowess.

Here are a few things to try:

• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the marinade for a spicy kick.
• Herb Variations: Try using basil or cilantro instead of parsley for a different herbal note. Or why not mix all three together!
• Different Citrus: Substitute orange or lime juice for lemon for a varied citrus flavor.
• Marinade Additions: Add ingredients like yogurt or butter.
• Add Grilles Lemon: Baste lemon slices with butter and olive oil and add a pinch of salt, then grill them and serve for a nice and vibrant garnish.

Each variation you try can lead to new flavors and favorites. Enjoy the journey of culinary discovery, and remember, the grill is your canvas!

I hope you like my recipe and have a great time grilling!

-Joonas