When it comes to crafting an extraordinary dinner with minimal effort, the Grilled Lemon Chicken recipe reigns supreme. With a touch of culinary love, this simple dish transforms into a sophisticated and approachable masterpiece. The magic lies in grilling fresh lemons to concoct a marinade that infuses the chicken with a symphony of complex flavors.
The Quest for Flavor:
For years, I struggled to find a chicken recipe that truly satisfied my taste buds. The chicken was either bland, dry, or simply lacked flavor. After experimenting with various cooking techniques and ingredients, I finally discovered the secret to creating the perfect grilled chicken:
- Choose chicken thighs over breasts. Chicken thighs are inherently more flavorful and juicy than chicken breasts.
- Marinate the chicken. Marinating the chicken helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. My quick grilled lemon marinade is perfect for this task, taking just 30 minutes to 2 hours to prepare.
- Don’t overcook the chicken. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, but cooking it to around 160°F and relying on carryover cooking ensures both safety and juiciness.
The Quick Marinade Fix:
My grilled lemon marinade is incredibly simple to make, yet it packs a powerful punch of flavor. The key ingredient is, of course, grilled lemons. Lightly spraying the lemons with avocado oil and grilling them until they sport a delicate char enhances their flavor and adds a touch of complexity to the marinade.
To make the marinade, simply combine the grilled lemons with avocado oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Then, toss the chicken in the marinade and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Usually, any marinade I make consists of an acid to help tenderize the meat. That is where the grilled lemons play a crucial part in my marinade. I lightly spray the lemons with Chosen Foods avocado oil and grill them (on my Bull Grill) until they are lightly charred. Grilling the lemons will add tremendous complexity to the lemons and elevate our grilled lemon chicken.
The Versatility of Grilled Citrus:
The versatility of grilled citrus extends beyond chicken. It can be used to enhance the flavor of seafood, vegetables, and even desserts. For example, try grilling lemons or oranges and adding them to your favorite salsa or vinaigrette. Or, grill grapefruit and add it to a refreshing cocktail or mocktail.
If you’re seeking an easy yet impressive dinner, the Grilled Lemon Chicken recipe is a perfect choice. The symphony of flavors created by grilling fresh lemons infuses the chicken with succulent juiciness and sophisticated taste. This recipe is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving more.
Chef Anthony Pro Tips:
- For extra flavor, add a dollop of pesto or chimichurri sauce to the grilled chicken.
- Serve the grilled chicken with your favorite sides, such as roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, or rice Pilaf.
- Leftover grilled chicken can be used in salads, wraps, or sandwiches.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- To ensure that the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before carving and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Easy Grilled Lemon Chicken
Equipment
- Bull Grillwww.bullbbq.com
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Thigh boneless skinless
- 1/4 cup Mustard
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice grilled & strained
- 1 tsp Herbs de Provence
- 2 tbsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Chosen Foods Avocado Oil
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp White Pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine grilled lemon juice, herbs, salt, garlic, and white pepper. Whisk the ingredients together and slowly drizzle in all the avocado oil.
- Toss the chicken in the marinade and allow to marinate for 30 minutes to 60 minutes covered in the fridge. That is plenty of time for the chicken to absorb the flavors. If it takes any longer, the meat might become tougher because of the acidity in the lemon.
- Place chicken on a medium-high preheated Bull Grill. Grill each side of the chicken for approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat once the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes and serve with grilled lemon halves.
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