I’ve been making this lemon pepper rooster marinade for over 15 years, and it’s a type of recipes I by no means get bored with. It’s the one I attain for once I want a simple dinner, wish to toss stuff on the grill, or want a batch of rooster for any form of meal prep. The substances are easy, however collectively they make rooster that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. At any time when I’m unsure what to make for dinner, that is normally the place I begin.

Why My Recipe

• My go-to marinade for the previous 15 years.
• Just some minutes of prep provides 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 maintain the flavour brilliant with out overpowering the rooster. It really works simply as effectively with rooster breasts because it does thighs so go along with whichever one your loved ones likes finest. I do advocate choosing boneless skinless both approach. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you’ll be able to cook dinner it nevertheless makes probably the most sense to your day or the time of 12 months.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides the most effective taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you’ve got. You’ll want about 1 lemon for 1/4 cup of juice, however typically you’ll want 2.
• Olive Oil: Common olive oil or further virgin olive oil each work.
• Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper blends can range fairly a bit in salt content material so be careful for that.
• Dried Oregano and Basil: Follow dried herbs for this one to maintain issues easy.
• Salt: I’m simply utilizing desk salt right here.
• Purple Pepper Flakes: Utterly elective, however they provides a gentle kick with out making the rooster overly spicy.
• Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts or Thighs: Each work nice. Hen thighs are naturally extra forgiving and keep juicy even when they cook dinner somewhat longer.

Hen Breasts vs. Thighs

This marinade works effectively with boneless skinless rooster breasts and thighs, so it actually comes down to private desire.

Hen breasts are leaner and cook dinner somewhat sooner, whereas rooster thighs have somewhat extra fats, making them further juicy and forgiving in the event that they keep on the warmth just a few further minutes. I exploit each commonly, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Technique Choices

One in every of my favourite issues about this marinade is that it really works regardless of the way you’re cooking dinner. Grill it through the summer time, bake it within the oven for a simple weeknight meal, or cook dinner it in a skillet if you don’t really feel like turning the oven on. I’ve included directions for all three strategies, so you should utilize whichever works finest to your schedule and the climate.

Serving Ideas

This rooster goes with nearly all the pieces (which is why I find it irresistible a lot).

Add a Starch: Serve it with rice (my simple tacky rice pilaf is a fav), roasted potatoes (like my garlic and herb smashed potatoes), or buttered noodles (or my olive oil pasta) for a simple dinner.

Add a Veggie: like my tacky skillet broccoli, roasted asparagus, or maintain it tremendous easy by utilizing 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.