Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Garlic Butter

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

Juicy grilled chicken breasts seasoned with zesty lemon and black pepper, served with a rich garlic butter sauce. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper 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 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Place 4 chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, coating well. Let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken breasts from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
  3. Step 3: While chicken grills, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  4. Step 4: Remove butter from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Brush the garlic butter over grilled chicken breasts before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Garlic Butter 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-Pepper Chicken with Garlic Butter?

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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Garlic Butter?

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-Pepper Chicken with Garlic Butter 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-Pepper Chicken with Garlic Butter?

American 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.

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