Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Roasted Garlic Aioli

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

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Juicy grilled chicken breasts marinated in fresh lemon juice and cracked black pepper, served with a smooth roasted garlic aioli for dipping. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, lemon juice, 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: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp cracked black pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Add 4 chicken breasts and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: While the chicken marinates, preheat oven to 400°F. Place 6 whole garlic cloves on a small baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Remove garlic cloves from the oven, let cool slightly, then mash them into 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to make the roasted garlic aioli.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
  5. Step 5: Serve the grilled lemon-pepper chicken hot with a side of the roasted garlic aioli for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Roasted Garlic Aioli take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (40 min prep + 20 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 Roasted Garlic Aioli?

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 breasts from drying out.

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

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 Roasted Garlic Aioli 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 Roasted Garlic Aioli?

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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