Grilled Chicken Breasts (Printable)
Herb-marinated chicken breasts grilled to juicy, smoky perfection—ready in about 30 minutes plus marinating.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
09 - Fresh parsley, finely chopped
10 - Lemon wedges for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for optimal flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the breasts onto the hot grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature registers 165°F on a meat thermometer and the juices run clear.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
06 - Arrange the sliced chicken on a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in about two minutes with pantry staples you probably already have.
- It is genuinely difficult to mess up, even on your first try.
02 -
- If you cut into the chicken right off the grill to check doneness, you will lose every drop of moisture you worked so hard for.
- A meat thermometer is the only trustworthy way to know when it is truly done inside.
03 -
- Pounding the chicken to even thickness before marinating is the single easiest upgrade you can make.
- Letting the meat sit out for 15 minutes before grilling helps it cook more evenly from edge to center.