Lemon Pepper Rooster Marinade

I’ve been making this lemon pepper hen 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 after I want a straightforward dinner, wish to toss something on the grill, or want a batch of hen for any type of meal prep. The elements are easy, however collectively they make hen that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. At any time when I’m undecided what to make for dinner, that is normally the place I begin.

Recent lemon juice does all of the heavy lifting right here, whereas lemon pepper and a few dried herbs hold the flavour shiny with out overpowering the hen. It really works simply as effectively with hen breasts because it does thighs so go along with whichever one your loved ones likes finest. I do suggest choosing boneless skinless both manner. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you may prepare dinner it nonetheless makes probably the most sense in your day or the time of 12 months.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides the very best taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you have 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: Stick to dried herbs for this one to maintain issues easy.
• Salt: I’m simply utilizing desk salt right here.
• Purple Pepper Flakes: Fully elective, however they provides a gentle kick with out making the hen overly spicy.
• Boneless Skinless Rooster Breasts or Thighs: Each work nice. Rooster thighs are naturally extra forgiving and keep juicy even when they prepare dinner somewhat longer.

Rooster Breasts vs. Thighs

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

Rooster breasts are leaner and prepare dinner somewhat sooner, whereas hen thighs have somewhat extra fats, making them further juicy and forgiving in the event that they keep on the warmth a number of further minutes. I exploit each recurrently, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Methodology Choices

Considered one of my favourite issues about this marinade is that it really works irrespective of the way you’re cooking dinner. Grill it in the course of the summer time, bake it within the oven for a straightforward weeknight meal, or prepare 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 should use whichever works finest in your schedule and the climate.

Serving Options

This hen goes with nearly every thing (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 straightforward dinner.

Add a Veggie: like my cheesy skillet broccoli, roasted asparagus, or hold it tremendous easy through the use of 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.