Flavorful Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast
A simple and juicy grilled chicken breast recipe seasoned with fresh lemon zest, juice, and cracked black pepper for a bright, flavorful dinner that’s quick and easy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Zest of 2 medium fresh lemons
- Juice of 2 medium fresh lemons
- 1 to 2 teaspoons coarse black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the boneless chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Pound to about 1/2-inch thickness if uneven.
- In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, cracked black pepper, sea salt, olive oil, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Mix into a fragrant paste.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast. Let rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Clean and oil grates.
- Grill chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side, flipping only once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from grill and tent loosely with foil. Rest for 5 minutes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the grilled chicken before serving.
Notes
Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Let chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy. If chicken chars too fast, move to a cooler part of the grill. Squeeze fresh lemon juice just before serving for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 ounc
- Calories: 165
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 31
Keywords: grilled chicken, lemon pepper chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, healthy chicken, gluten-free, dairy-free