Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Back Ribs
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a bright lemon-garlic sauce paired with tender roasted pork back ribs seasoned with smoked paprika. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 235 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, bone-in, lemon juice, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 lbs pork back ribs
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 3 tbsp olive oil. Place 6 chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 2 lbs pork back ribs with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp smoked paprika. Wrap ribs tightly in foil and roast for 2.5 hours until tender.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is golden.
- Step 4: Remove ribs from foil and place under broiler for 5 minutes to crisp edges. Slice ribs between bones.
- Step 5: Plate grilled chicken and roasted ribs, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Back Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 235 minutes (70 min prep + 165 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 Roasted Back Ribs?
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 chicken thighs, bone-in from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Back Ribs?
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 Roasted Back Ribs 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 Roasted Back Ribs?
American bbq & smoked 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.
