Looking for a dish that’s both bursting with flavor and fits almost any dietary need? Look no further than grilled lemon pepper chicken! It’s a versatile dish that’s just as good on the grill as it is cooked in a pan or air fryer.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know to make the perfect grilled lemon pepper chicken, including:
- How to make a delicious marinade (and some variations to try!)
- Grilling techniques for both traditional grills and the Ninja Foodi
- Serving suggestions to complete your meal
- Nutritional information, so you know exactly what you’re eating
Making lemon pepper chicken at home is not only a healthier alternative to store-bought versions, but it’s also incredibly cost-effective and allows you to customize the flavors to your liking. Get ready to fire up the grill (or Ninja Foodi!) and enjoy this zesty and delicious dish.
Understanding the Lemon Pepper Marinade
Lemon pepper marinade is a simple way to add a boatload of flavor to your chicken. The basic recipe includes lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, oil, and a few seasonings.
The flavor is a bright balance of citrus, pepper, and savory deliciousness.
Why it works
The acid in the lemon juice tenderizes the chicken, and the marinade ingredients permeate the meat with flavor throughout.
Why make your own?
Sure, you can buy lemon pepper marinade at the store, but making your own at home gives you several advantages.
Healthier choice
Store-bought marinades often contain a lot of salt and artificial preservatives. When you make your own marinade, you can control what goes into it and how much salt to add.
Cost-effectiveness
Making your own marinade is almost always cheaper than buying a pre-made version. You probably already have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry.
Customization
You can easily adjust the flavors to suit your taste. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and levels of heat. If you like a little kick, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Ingredients for the Best Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
To get the absolute best flavor from your grilled lemon pepper chicken, start with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients possible.
Core Ingredients
- Chicken: You can use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or chicken breasts. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are often preferred because the skin crisps up beautifully on the grill and the bone adds more flavor and keeps the chicken incredibly juicy.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest are key! Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t have the same bright, zesty flavor.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is a must. You can use different types of peppercorns for slightly different flavor profiles. Tellicherry peppercorns have a more complex, fruity flavor, while regular black peppercorns are more straightforwardly spicy.
- Oil: Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point. Avocado oil or olive oil are both great choices.
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers
- Salt: Salt isn’t just for flavor; it also helps to tenderize the chicken. Kosher salt is a good all-purpose choice.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These add depth of flavor to the marinade.
- Optional Herbs and Spices: Fresh or dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add extra layers of flavor.
Making the Lemon Pepper Marinade
The key to great grilled lemon pepper chicken is a flavorful marinade. Here’s how to make it:
- First, zest your lemon. You’ll want about a teaspoon of zest. Make sure you zest before you juice!
- Next, juice the lemon. You should get about 2-3 tablespoons of juice.
- In a bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice with olive oil, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk it all together.
Now, for the marinating:
- For chicken, marinate for at least 30 minutes. I prefer 2-4 hours for maximum flavor. You can even marinate it overnight in the fridge!
- Remember to always marinate chicken in the refrigerator. Never at room temperature!
- Once the raw chicken has been in the marinade, throw the marinade away. Don’t reuse it!
Grilling Techniques for Perfect Lemon Pepper Chicken
Once you’ve marinated your chicken, it’s time to cook it! Whether you’re using a traditional grill or a Ninja Foodi Grill, here’s how to get it just right.
Traditional Grill
Preparing the Grill
Start by giving your grill grates a good cleaning and oiling them to keep the chicken from sticking. Preheat the grill to medium heat—about 400°F.
Grilling the Chicken
Place the chicken on the grill and cook it for 7–12 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to make sure it’s cooked through. Flip the chicken and check it often as it cooks. Baste it with some of the reserved marinade while it’s grilling to keep it flavorful and moist.
Two-Zone Grilling
To avoid flare-ups and make sure the chicken cooks evenly, try two-zone grilling. Once the skin starts to crisp up, turn one side of the grill to low heat or turn it off completely. Move the chicken to that side to keep it from burning and to gently cook the chicken thighs.
Ninja Foodi Grill
Preparing the Ninja Foodi Grill
Preheat your Ninja Foodi Grill to medium heat, around 400–450°F.
Grilling the Chicken
Place the chicken on the grill grate and cook for about 8 minutes. Once the internal temperature reaches 160°F, flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
Variations and Dietary Adjustments
Want to mix things up a bit? Here are a few variations on the grilled lemon pepper chicken recipe:
- Spicy Lemon Pepper Chicken: Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the marinade for a kick.
- Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken: Up the garlic flavor by adding more garlic powder or some minced garlic to the marinade.
- Mediterranean Lemon Pepper Chicken: Toss in some dried oregano, rosemary, and thyme for a Mediterranean twist.
Here are a few dietary adjustments you can make:
- Keto-friendly: Use avocado oil and skip the sugar in the marinade.
- Gluten-free: Double-check that all your ingredients are gluten-free.
- Lower Sodium: Cut back on the salt in the marinade.
How to Serve Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
This chicken recipe is incredibly versatile. You can serve it hot off the grill as a main course, or you can incorporate it into other dishes.
Side Dish Ideas
- Keto Caesar Salad
- Keto Asparagus
- Roasted Vegetables
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Loaded Cauliflower
The bright flavors of the lemon pepper chicken pair well with a cold side dish. The contrast in temperature enhances the overall dining experience.
Other Serving Ideas
- Slice the chicken and serve it in a salad, sandwich, or wrap.
- Shred the chicken and use it as a pizza or taco topping.
Sauces and Garnishes
Consider serving your chicken with a Keto Honey Mustard dipping sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Storing and Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep that grilled lemon pepper chicken tasting great:
Storing Leftovers
- Store your grilled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll be good for up to 4 days.
- Want to keep it longer? Freeze marinated chicken for later.
Reheating Methods
There are several ways to reheat your chicken:
- Oven: Reheat it low and slow to avoid drying it out.
- Microwave: Quick and easy, but watch out for rubbery chicken!
- Grill: For that smoky flavor, throw it back on the grill.
To crisp up the skin, you can also try reheating it under the broiler or right on the grill. Adding a splash of water or broth during reheating can also help keep the chicken moist.
Wrapping Up
Grilled lemon pepper chicken is a flavorful, versatile, and easy-to-make dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s also a healthier and more affordable alternative to pre-made chicken from the grocery store.
I hope you’ll try this recipe and feel free to experiment with different variations to suit your taste. You can change the herbs, add a little heat, or even use a different cut of chicken.
This is an amazingly forgiving recipe, so anyone who is new to grilling can give it a try! Let me know what you think in the comments below!