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Perfect Grilled Chicken Breasts Recipe Easy Herb Marinade for Juicy Flavor

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This grilled chicken breasts recipe features a simple herb marinade that locks in moisture and delivers fresh, vibrant flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick, tasty meals with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each), pounded to even thickness
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, stripped from stems
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2 inch thick.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and honey (if using).
  3. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bowl or transfer marinade and chicken into a large zip-top bag. Toss or seal and massage gently to coat all pieces evenly. Refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1 hour.
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  5. Place chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 5–7 minutes per side without moving too much to develop grill marks.
  6. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer; chicken should reach 165°F internal temperature. Alternatively, cut into the thickest part to ensure juices run clear.
  7. Remove chicken from grill and let rest loosely covered with foil for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  8. Slice against the grain and serve with your favorite sides or salads.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking and juiciness. Marinate at least 30 minutes, ideally 1 hour, but avoid over 2 hours to prevent texture breakdown. Use a thermometer to ensure perfect doneness at 165°F. Let chicken rest after grilling to keep it moist. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to cooler grill area. For indoor cooking, use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken breasts, herb marinade, easy chicken recipe, juicy grilled chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken, backyard barbecue

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