Quick Lemon Chicken Marinade

Magic happens in just 20 minutes with this simple lemon marinade for chicken with garlic, oregano, and olive oil. It adds bold, fresh flavor with hardly any effort.

Lemon Marinade for Chicken

Citrus fruits, as well as olive oil, garlic, and oregano, were staple ingredients in my grandmother’s kitchen in Spain. Not a week went by without her using this lemon marinade for chicken and pan-searing them to perfection.   

Now, I do the same because I’ve learned that chicken marinades are the easiest way to infuse flavor into chicken fast. Just don’t marinade it more than 24 hours or the texture can turn stringy.

Lemon Chicken Marinade Ingredients

You’ll find the amounts in the recipe card below, but first, here is why each ingredient is used:

• Olive oil: an essential and flavorful oil that will coat the chicken with the rest of the flavor. You don’t have to use the most expensive variety since the marinade will be discarded.
• Fresh Lemon: you’ll need the zest (the skin finely grated) and the juice. The acid of the juice will tenderize the chicken and add loads of flavor.
• Garlic: I use garlic cloves, although in a pinch, you could use garlic powder, about 1 teaspoon.
• Salt & Pepper: salt is a must for a marinade so the chicken is tasty. Pepper adds some seasoning.
• Dried oregano: another staple in Mediterranean cooking, dried oregano adds an earthy flavor to the marinade. You can use Italian seasoning if you’re out, or 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano if you have it.

Serve with: Lemon Roasted Asparagus

Does Lemon Juice Tenderize Chicken?

Yes, lemon juice is acidic, so it naturally tenderizes chicken by breaking down its proteins. However, if the chicken is left marinating in lemon juice for more than 24h, it can end up with a tough, stringy, and rubbery texture once cooked.

If you need a marinade that allows you to leave the chicken for longer or even overnight, consider recipes without citrus or lemon juice, such as this Korean chicken marinade or a spicy marinade.

How to Make Lemon Marinated Chicken

Marinating is only half the fun of making a delicious chicken for dinner. Some tips in the main steps that will yield the best chicken dinner include:

1. Marinate the chicken by combining the ingredients in a large zip bag or air-tight container. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Remove from fridge and let the chicken sit out for 5 to 10 minutes so it’s not fridge-cold when you cook it. This ensures that the chicken isn’t overcooked and cooks to a safe-to-eat temperature without drying out.
3. Cook the chicken in a hot pan, with a little oil, over medium-high heat. Cook the first side for 6 to 7 minutes, flip, and cook the second side for another 5 to 6 minutes, depending on the thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Butterflied chicken breasts only need half of the cooking time.

Can You Freeze Marinated Chicken

Yes! All you have to do is add the chicken with the marinade in a bag and freeze it together. Then, when you defrost the chicken, it will be ready to be cooked. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

Best Sides for Lemon Chicken

Lemon chicken is flavorful and pairs great with other healthy sides like pan-seared asparagus, garlic-herb cauliflower steaks, steamed green beans, or a simple arugula side salad.