Perfect Grilled Chicken

chicken breasts don't have to be boring

This is the best grilled chicken ever. That is all I have to say. No, you don’t need to marinate 365 hours in advance. The marinade comes together in 15 minutes, and unlike other recipes that require overnight marinating, this one does the job in under 2 hours.

I recommend marinating at minimum 30 minutes and max 2 hours (I typically do just under 2 hours if I can). If you want to do longer, omit the lemon juice and just do zest. This marinade can be used for any type of chicken when you’re short on time as it yields a lot of flavor very quickly.

YES, the marinade has a lot of ingredients, a lot of them fresh—and this is why it’s so incredible. You will get faster at prepping it each time to make it. Tools to make this easier and more efficient: a solid chef’s knife (great budget pick), a garlic chopper (+ buy pre-peeled garlic if you must…), a spice grinder (or a bullet blender), and a friend.

While grilling is my preferred way of making these chicken breasts, I’ve also provided stovetop instructions. Likewise, you will find instructions for boneless skinless chicken thighs as well. Thighs are good for beginners because they are almost impossible to overcook. A meat thermometer is highly recommended if you’re unsure!