๐Ÿฅ„ Homestyle recipes, tested & loved
๐Ÿฅ˜Recipes by Nani
Dinner

Zesty Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken

A bright and juicy grilled chicken recipe with a perfectly balanced lemon and pepper marinade.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Americanยท July 18, 2026
Zesty Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
25 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing quite like the smell of lemon and garlic hitting a hot grill on a sunny day. This chicken has become a staple in my house because it is so easy to pull together, and the marinade gives the meat such a beautiful, golden char that tastes amazing.

I really prefer using chicken thighs for this because they stay nice and juicy while cooking. If you have extra time, let the chicken sit in the fridge for a few hours so the flavors can really soak in, but even a quick thirty minute marinade makes a big difference.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon salt

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt.

  2. 2

    Place the chicken thighs into a large resealable bag or bowl and pour the marinade over them.

  3. 3

    Seal the container and shake or stir to coat the chicken well. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.

  4. 4

    Preheat your grill to medium high heat and lightly oil the grates.

  5. 5

    Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.

  6. 6

    Remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

Serve this with a crisp green salad or roasted potatoes for a complete meal. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and slice them up to add to lunch bowls the next day.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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