Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme
Juicy chicken breasts marinated in a bright lemon-garlic mixture and grilled to perfection with fresh rosemary and thyme. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours to infuse flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken breasts from marinade and discard leftover marinade.
- Step 4: Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Rosemary and Thyme?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme?
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 Rosemary and Thyme 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 Rosemary and Thyme?
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.