Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade
servings: 4
Looking for a flavorful and healthy way to upgrade your chicken dinners? This easy lemon herb chicken marinade is your go-to solution. It’s packed with bright citrus, fresh garlic, and savory herbs—perfect for meal prep, summer grilling, or a quick weeknight dinner. Whether you're marinating chicken breasts, thighs, or even fish, shrimp, or pork, this marinade delivers fresh flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1½-2 lbs chicken
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice 1 small lemon
- 1 tsp lemon zest optional
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard optional
Instructions
- Mix the Marinade: In a small bowl or jar, combine lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and mustard if using. Shake or whisk until well blended.
- Add the Chicken: Place your chicken (breasts, thighs, or tenders) in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the top.
- Marinate: Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours). For meal prep, freeze immediately after adding the marinade.
- Cook: Grill, bake, or pan-cook your chicken until cooked through. Enjoy hot or slice it for salads, wraps, or bowls.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
- The marinade includes Dijon mustard, which adds brightness and helps emulsify the oil and lemon juice.
- You can use this marinade for chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks, and it also works well with pork or fish.
- Great for grilling, baking, or stovetop cooking—just discard any unused marinade.
- Optional Add-In: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick if you prefer a little heat.
- The estimated calories from the marinade per serving is approximately 60, assuming most of the marinade is discarded before cooking and that about 1.5 tablespoons of oil (plus other small ingredients) are absorbed across 4 servings. Actual calories may vary based on marinating time, cooking method, and how much marinade clings to the meat.