Grilled Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce
Tender grilled chicken marinated in fresh lemon and rosemary, finished with a rich garlic butter sauce perfect for a Father’s Day feast. This American-inspired Father’s Day recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, fresh lemon juice, fresh rosemary, chopped 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 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 medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- 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 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden but not browned.
- Step 4: Remove butter garlic sauce from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: Serve grilled chicken topped with garlic butter sauce, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 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-Rosemary Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?
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 fresh lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?
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-Rosemary Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce 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-Rosemary Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?
American father’s day 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for my dad's grill-out. Juicy chicken and that herbaceous butter? Chef's kiss. Will make this every summer.
- ★★★★★
The lemon-rosemary combo was divine—my dad said it was the best Father's Day meal ever! The garlic butter sauce made everything shine.
- ★★★★☆
The garlic butter sauce was incredible, but my chicken got a bit dry. Next time I'll brine it.








