Description
This Grilled Chicken with Garlic recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts or thighs infused with fresh garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings. Quick to prepare and cook, it offers a rich and savory flavor with smoky undertones from the grill. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this recipe is versatile, budget-friendly, and easily customizable with herbs and spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs (about 1 to 1.5 pounds)
- 4–6 fresh garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Herbs
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Marinade: Finely mince or crush fresh garlic cloves and combine them with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and your choice of fresh herbs in a bowl. Mix well to create the marinade that will infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the garlic marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated by massaging the marinade into the meat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high temperature. Clean the grill grates thoroughly and lightly oil them to prevent the chicken from sticking. Maintaining this heat level ensures even cooking and attractive grill marks.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken pieces onto the hot grill. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, flipping only once to achieve perfect sear lines. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure doneness.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cooked chicken from the grill and let it rest on a plate, uncovered, for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and tender grilled chicken ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic cloves instead of garlic powder or pre-minced garlic for a stronger, authentic flavor.
- Always let the chicken rest after grilling to lock in moisture and keep it juicy.
- Lightly oil the grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking and promote nice grill marks.
- Marinating the chicken longer enhances the garlic flavor and tenderness.
- Maintain a steady medium-high grill temperature to cook the chicken evenly without drying it out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast or thigh (approximately 150-180g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: grilled chicken, garlic chicken, easy grilled chicken, garlic marinade, summer grilling, quick chicken recipe, healthy chicken
