Grilled Iraqi-Inspired Chicken with Sumac and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in lemon juice, sumac, and garlic, offering a bright and tangy Middle Eastern flavor. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 320 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp sumac
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Know when the chicken is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp sumac, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground black pepper until well combined.
Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off.
Step 4: Grill chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are charred and flavorful.
Step 5: Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.