rewrite this title Herb and Lemon Chicken Marinade

If you live in the US, chances are you eat around 118 pounds of chicken every single year. And while that’s the national average, chicken gets boring when it’s served the same old way. Try this lemon chicken marinade with herbs and garlic for a new way to enjoy a classic protein. 

The acid from the lemon juice helps tenderize the chicken meat, while the herbs and spices give it a great flavor. Perfect for throwing on the grill for a warm summer night!

Lemon Chicken Marinade

Chicken is such a versatile (and affordable) protein and we use it frequently in our home. Everything from easy, Crockpot meals like salsa chicken to mouthwatering Italian chopped chicken salad. I especially love marinades because they infuse the flavor into the meat for even better taste. 

This recipe calls for fresh herbs because I have a variety growing in the garden this time of year. Fresh herbs still have the volatile oils intact that give them a more intense flavor. These volatile oils are the same that you find when buying essential oils. 

If you only have dried herbs though, not to worry! Dried herbs also work, you might just want to let the marinade soak into the meat a little longer. Another tip: keep fresh dried herbs on hand. This way when you pull the spice jar out of the pantry it’s still fragrant, not dusty and bland tasting. I also like to crush the dried herbs in my hand some right before using. This helps release some of those volatile oils (aka more flavor). 

What Meat is Best to Use?

Ok, so technically this recipe is for lemon garlic chicken marinade, but it’s really for more than that. You can use it on any cut of chicken: wings, thighs, legs, or breast. But it’s also a tasty way to eat other meats. Our family also enjoys it on shrimp, salmon, pork chops, or even grilled vegetables.

How to Use the Lemon Chicken Marinade

Sometimes I’ll layer the meat in the bottom of a casserole dish and pour the marinade over that. Flip halfway through marinating. Or these reusable bags from ZipTop also work well too. You just want to make sure the marinade has close contact with the chicken so all the flavors can meld. 

This is a great recipe to make ahead because the chicken can marinate for up to 24 hours. And the longer you wait, the better the flavor. That means throw it together and refrigerate on Friday for supper Saturday.

It’s great on the grill and helps the meat not dry out during cooking. It works just as well for pan-seared chicken or for baked lemon chicken in the oven. And if you want even more lemon flavor, serve with fresh lemon wedges. I’ll often add a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a color pop. 

What to Eat With Lemon Chicken 

There are so many fresh and fun side dishes. Whether you garden or get some from the local farmer’s market, colorful fruits and veggies are plentiful in the summer. And even if you’re not making this in the summer, it still pairs well with other sides.

Try a classic potato dish or a simple green salad for a quick meal. We also like it with grilled asparagus or sauteed summer squash. Here are some other ideas

What are some of your favorite ways to eat chicken? Leave a comment and let us know!