Grilled Lemon-Tarragon Chicken with Garlic Butter Drizzle

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

Tender grilled chicken breasts marinated in fresh lemon juice and tarragon, finished with a rich garlic butter drizzle for a bright and savory main dish. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh tarragon leaves, minced garlic cloves 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: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon leaves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and coat evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is nicely charred with grill marks.
  3. Step 3: While chicken grills, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and the butter is infused with garlic flavor—do not brown the garlic.
  4. Step 4: Remove the chicken from the grill and rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle the warm garlic butter over the grilled chicken breasts before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Tarragon Chicken with Garlic Butter Drizzle 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-Tarragon Chicken with Garlic Butter Drizzle?

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-Tarragon Chicken with Garlic Butter Drizzle?

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-Tarragon Chicken with Garlic Butter Drizzle 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-Tarragon Chicken with Garlic Butter Drizzle?

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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