Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
A simple Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade that keeps chicken juicy, tender, and packed with fresh flavor. It’s light, zesty, and works perfectly for baking, grilling, air frying, or meal prep with almost no effort.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs butterflied if using chicken breast
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp honey optional
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Whisk all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Add chicken and coat evenly.
- Cover and marinate for 30 minutes to 6 hours.
- Choose your preferred cooking method below (oven, air fryer, pan, or grill - see notes).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing so the juices stay inside.
Notes
You can cook this lemon garlic chicken in a few different ways depending on what you prefer or what equipment you have:
Oven Method: Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally. This method gives juicy chicken with light golden edges.
Air Fryer Method: Cook at 375°F for 14–18 minutes, flipping halfway through. This gives slightly crisp edges while keeping the inside tender.
Grill Method: Grill over medium heat for 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness. This adds a smoky, slightly charred flavor.
Pan Method: Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.