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Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken

Juicy grilled chicken breasts marinated in bright lemon, fresh basil, and a touch of honey.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast rinsed and trimmed of fat (about 4 breasts)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 whole lemon zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons honey or agave
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Rinse the chicken breasts and trim any visible fat; pat dry with paper towels.
  • In a bowl or directly in a large resealable plastic bag, combine the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, chopped basil, honey (or agave), salt, and black pepper; mix to form the marinade.
  • Add the chicken to the bag with the marinade, remove as much air as possible, seal, and massage the chicken until evenly coated.
  • Refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
  • When ready to cook, preheat the grill to high heat; if cooking from frozen, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight first.
  • Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for about 2 minutes until grill marks form and the chicken releases easily; if it sticks, wait 30 seconds more and try again.
  • Reduce heat to medium, flip the breasts, and continue cooking 8 to 10 minutes more, until juices run clear or the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • Remove from the grill and let rest briefly before serving.

Equipment

  • large resealable plastic bag
  • Grill
  • Zester or microplane
  • citrus juicer or fork
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Tongs

Notes

  • Marinate at least 4 hours for best flavor.
  • Overnight marinating yields more tender chicken.
  • If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator before grilling.
  • Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Use tongs to avoid piercing the meat while grilling.