Half-Grilled Chicken with Lemon-Herb Glaze
A perfectly balanced main course where half the chicken is grilled to juicy perfection and half is marinated in a vibrant lemon-herb glaze for a burst of freshness. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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 (about 6 oz each), pounded to 1/2-inch thickness chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F). In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp chopped thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Brush half of the chicken breasts (2 breasts) with the lemon-herb glaze, then place them on the hot grill. Grill for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting occasionally with remaining glaze.
- Step 3: Place the remaining 2 unglazed chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side without basting, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 4: Let both batches rest for 5 minutes. Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise, then arrange half the grilled chicken with the glaze on each plate, topped with the unglazed portion for a striking visual contrast before serving.









