Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Arugula Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender grilled chicken marinated in zesty lemon and garlic, served atop a peppery arugula salad for a bright, revitalizing meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, lemon juice, olive oil 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: 35 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to create a marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 boneless chicken breasts in a resealable bag, pour in the marinade, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to infuse flavors.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges have grill marks.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, toss 4 cups arugula with 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese.
  5. Step 5: Slice the grilled chicken and serve over the arugula salad immediately for a bright, invigorating meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Arugula Salad take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (35 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Arugula Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Arugula Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Arugula Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Arugula Salad?

Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes