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Easy Beginners First Time Grilling Chicken with 4-Ingredient Marinade Recipe

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A simple and foolproof grilled chicken recipe perfect for beginners, featuring a quick 4-ingredient marinade that delivers juicy, flavorful results.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 700 grams)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil, preferably extra virgin
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk well until blended (about 2 minutes).
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the bowl or a resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating each piece. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes (minimum 10 minutes). Avoid marinating longer than 2 hours.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F / 200°C), about 10 minutes. Clean grates with a grill brush and lightly oil them using a brush or paper towel held with tongs.
  4. Grill the chicken: Place chicken breasts on the grill. Cook 6-7 minutes on the first side without moving. Flip with tongs and cook another 5-6 minutes on the other side (total 12-13 minutes).
  5. Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If unavailable, cut into the thickest part to check that juices run clear and meat is no longer pink.
  6. Rest the chicken: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Do not marinate longer than 2 hours to avoid ‘cooking’ the chicken with lemon juice. Preheat grill properly to prevent sticking. Use tongs to flip chicken without piercing it to retain juices. Let chicken rest after grilling for best texture. If no grill is available, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, beginner grilling, easy chicken recipe, 4-ingredient marinade, quick dinner, healthy chicken, simple marinade

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/easy-beginners-first-time-grilling-chicken-with-4-ingredient-marinade-recipe/