I’ve been making this lemon pepper rooster marinade for over 15 years, and it’s a kind of recipes I by no means get bored with. It’s the one I attain for after I want a straightforward dinner, wish to toss stuff on the grill, or want a batch of rooster for any type of meal prep. The elements are easy, however collectively they make rooster that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. Every time I’m unsure what to make for dinner, that is often the place I begin.
Why My Recipe
- My go-to marinade for the previous 15 years.
- Just some minutes of prep offers you juicy, flavorful rooster that’s prepared for weeknights, meal prep, or cookouts.
- Works with breasts or thighs and contains oven, grill, and stovetop cooking choices.


Recent lemon juice does all of the heavy lifting right here, whereas lemon pepper and a few dried herbs preserve the flavour vibrant with out overpowering the rooster. It really works simply as nicely with rooster breasts because it does thighs so go together with whichever one your loved ones likes greatest. I do advocate choosing boneless skinless both method. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you’ll be able to cook dinner it nevertheless makes probably the most sense on your day or the time of yr.
Ingredient Notes


- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed offers one of the best taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you could have. You’ll want about 1 lemon for 1/4 cup of juice, however typically you’ll want 2.
- Olive Oil: Common olive oil or additional virgin olive oil each work.
- Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper blends can differ fairly a bit in salt content material so be careful for that.
- Dried Oregano and Basil: Keep on with dried herbs for this one to maintain issues easy.
- Salt: I’m simply utilizing desk salt right here.
- Pink Pepper Flakes: Fully elective, however they provides a light kick with out making the rooster overly spicy.
- Boneless Skinless Rooster Breasts or Thighs: Each work nice. Rooster thighs are naturally extra forgiving and keep juicy even when they cook dinner a bit of longer.
Rooster Breasts vs. Thighs
This marinade works nicely with boneless skinless rooster breasts and thighs, so it actually comes down to private choice.
Rooster breasts are leaner and cook dinner a bit of sooner, whereas rooster thighs have a bit of extra fats, making them additional juicy and forgiving in the event that they keep on the warmth a number of additional minutes. I take advantage of each repeatedly, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.
Marinating Instances
In the event you’re in a rush, half-hour gives you loads of taste.
In the event you’ve bought extra time, anyplace from 2 to eight hours is right.
You may marinate the rooster for as much as 24 hours, however I wouldn’t go any longer than that. The acid from the lemon juice will ultimately begin to change the feel of the rooster, making it a bit of mushy.


Cooking Methodology Choices
One in all my favourite issues about this marinade is that it really works regardless of the way you’re cooking dinner. Grill it throughout the summer time, bake it within the oven for a straightforward weeknight meal, or cook dinner it in a skillet once you don’t really feel like turning the oven on. I’ve included directions for all three strategies, so you should utilize whichever works greatest on your schedule and the climate.
Freezer Meal Directions
This recipe is ideal for stocking the freezer. Add the rooster and marinade to a freezer-safe resealable bag, press out as a lot air as doable, and freeze for as much as 3 months. Because the rooster thaws in a single day within the fridge, it’ll marinate on the similar time, making dinner even simpler.
Serving Recommendations
This rooster goes with nearly every thing (which is why I adore it a lot).
Add a Starch: Serve it with rice (my easy cheesy rice pilaf is a fav), roasted potatoes (like my garlic and herb smashed potatoes), or buttered noodles (or my olive oil pasta) for a straightforward dinner.
Add a Veggie: like my cheesy skillet broccoli, roasted asparagus, or preserve it tremendous easy through the use of my frozen veggie hacks.
Different Choices: It’s additionally nice sliced over Caesar salad, tucked into wraps, or served in grain bowls for meal prep lunches.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate cooked rooster in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Reheat within the microwave in 30-second increments till warmed by means of, or heat in a skillet over medium-low warmth with a bit of olive oil or butter to assist preserve the rooster juicy.
Extra scrumptious marinade recipes…
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