Lemon Pepper Hen Marinade

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 uninterested in. 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 components are easy, however collectively they make rooster that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. Each time I’m unsure what to make for dinner, that is often the place I begin.

Contemporary lemon juice does all of the heavy lifting right here, whereas lemon pepper and a few dried herbs maintain the flavour vivid with out overpowering the rooster. It really works simply as effectively with rooster breasts because it does thighs so go together with whichever one your loved ones likes finest. I do advocate choosing boneless skinless both method. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you possibly can cook dinner it nevertheless makes probably the most sense in your day or the time of 12 months.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides the perfect 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 generally you’ll want 2.
• Olive Oil: Common olive oil or additional virgin olive oil each work.
• Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper blends can fluctuate fairly a bit in salt content material so be careful for that.
• Dried Oregano and Basil: Stick to dried herbs for this one to maintain issues easy.
• Salt: I’m simply utilizing desk salt right here.
• Pink Pepper Flakes: Fully non-compulsory, however they provides a light 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 a bit of longer.

Hen Breasts vs. Thighs

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

Hen 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 usually, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Methodology Choices

One among 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 simple weeknight meal, or cook dinner it in a skillet while you don’t really feel like turning the oven on. I’ve included directions for all three strategies, so you need to use whichever works finest in your schedule and the climate.

Serving Recommendations

This rooster goes with nearly the whole lot (which is why I find it irresistible 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 simple dinner.

Add a Veggie: like my cheesy 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.