Lemon Thyme Chicken Breasts

Juicy grilled lemon thyme chicken breasts marinated with fresh lemon, garlic, honey, and herbs. An easy chicken dinner perfect for the grill.

These Grilled Lemon Thyme Chicken Breasts are a simple, flavour-packed chicken recipe made with fresh lemon, garlic, honey, and thyme. The bright citrus marinade helps keep the chicken juicy while adding plenty of fresh flavour, making this an easy choice for weeknight dinners, summer cookouts, or meal prep.

What makes this recipe a family favourite is how versatile it is. You can cook it on the barbecue, under the broiler, or even on an indoor grill. Serve it with rice, potatoes, salad, or grilled vegetables for an easy meal that works any time of year.

Tips for Best Results

• Don’t skip the lemon zest. Most of the lemon flavour comes from the zest rather than the juice alone.
• Don’t over-marinate the chicken. Thirty minutes is plenty for this lemon-based marinade. Longer marinating times can affect the texture of chicken breasts and make them slightly stringy.
• Pound thick chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
• Use an instant-read thermometer and cook the chicken to 165°F (74°C) for the best texture.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
• Reserve fresh thyme for garnish. Dried thyme works best in the marinade, while fresh thyme adds a beautiful finish after grilling.
• Oil the grill grates before cooking to help prevent sticking.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – The original choice for this recipe, but the marinade also works beautifully with chicken thighs, drumsticks, or bone-in chicken pieces.
• Lemon – Fresh lemon provides both the juice and zest that give this chicken its bright flavour. Bottled lemon juice won’t deliver the same result.
• Vegetable Oil – Helps carry the flavours of the marinade and keeps the chicken moist while cooking. Canola oil, avocado oil, or another neutral oil work well too.
• Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the acidity of the lemon. Maple syrup can be substituted if preferred.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic provides the best flavour. Feel free to increase the amount if you’re a garlic lover.
• Ground Thyme – Adds earthy herb flavour that pairs perfectly with lemon and chicken. Dried thyme works best for the marinade.
• Salt and Pepper – Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for More Easy Chicken Recipes?

If you enjoyed this Lemon Thyme Chicken, here are a few more family-friendly chicken dinners to try:

• Marinated and grilled in a scotch bonnet and orange glaze, these Orange Glazed BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are perfectly sweet and spicy.
• This lemon pepper chicken recipe is a bright and fresh pan fried chicken breast recipe featuring loads of lemon and pepper flavours.
• This Cilantro Lime Chicken with Fresh Avocado Salsa is delicious served with rice for a fresh tasting family dinner.  It’s also a heart healthy recipe!

Lemon Thyme Chicken Breasts

Yields: 4 servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Marinating Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 12-14 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions

• Prepare the marinade. Combine lemon zest, lemon juice, vegetable oil, honey, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Marinate the chicken. Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the grill. Heat an outdoor grill, indoor grill, or broiler.
• Cook the chicken. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Rest and serve. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme and lemon wedges if desired.

Continue to Content

Yield: 4 Servings

Lemon-Thyme Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Inactive Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 49 minutes

Juicy grilled lemon thyme chicken breasts marinated with fresh lemon, garlic, honey, and herbs. An easy chicken dinner perfect for the grill.

Print

4.5 Stars (2 Reviews)

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions

1. Finely grate the lemon zest and squeeze 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into a bowl.
2. Add the vegetable oil, honey, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined.
3. Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over top.
4. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
6. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade.
7. Grill the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
8. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you don't have a grill, this chicken can be cooked under the broiler or on a grill pan.

For even cooking, pound thicker chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
• 
  Starfrit The Rock Electric Indoor Smokeless BBQ Grill
• 
  Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 284Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 235mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 38g

This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although frugalmomeh.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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