Lemon and Thyme Grilled Chicken Breasts

Directions

  1. 1Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment or plastic wrap.
  2. 2Using a mallet or rolling pin, pound each to an even thickness of 1/2 inch.
  3. 3Do not make them any thinner or they could dry out.
  4. 4Place chicken in a large bowl and toss with salt, pepper, thyme, garlic and the zest and juice of 1 lemon.
  5. 5Mix in olive oil.
  6. 6Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
  7. 7Remove chicken from fridge while you heat the grill.
  8. 8Light the grill, building a hot fire, or heat your gas grill to high.
  9. 9Once grill is fully heated, brush breasts lightly with olive oil and place chicken on the grill.
  10. 10Cook until undersides are browned and chicken is about halfway cooked, 3 to 5 minutes.
  11. 11Flip breasts and grill until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes more.
  12. 12Transfer chicken to a platter.
  13. 13Drizzle with oil and garnish with additional lemon juice, olive oil and basil or mint leaves.

Ingredients

  • 4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped thyme leaves
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
  • 2 lemons, as needed
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
  • Torn basil or mint leaves, as needed

Equipment

malletrolling pinlarge bowlgrillplatter

Tips

  • For dark meat lovers, this recipe will also work with boneless, skinless thighs, though you might have to add a minute or so to the cooking time.
  • You don't have to marinate for 1-2 hours. Marinating for 15-20 minutes is fine too.
  • You can use a cast iron skillet instead of a grill.
  • Instead of pounding chicken breasts, you can slice them in half lengthwise to cut down on cooking time and achieve a similar thinness.
  • Careful not to use too much thyme as the herb could be a bit over powering.
  • The marinade that had raw chicken in it should not be reused for other purposes.