Julie Clark
Posted: Updated:
Lemon Lime Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
With just a hint of black pepper, you’ll love this Grilled Lemon Lime Chicken, marinated in olive oil and citrus overnight. It’s a healthy chicken marinade recipe that is light for summer.
Picnic season is here! We’re normally burger kind of people when it comes to grilling for picnics. We love our Cola Burgers, butter burgers and our new favorite, Chicken Ranch Burgers. Have you tried them yet?
If you’re thinking of going with something other than burgers for your summer picnics, try this Grilled Lemon Lime Chicken. Lemon pepper chicken is a popular summer dish, but the added lime juice gives it an extra punch of citrus.
About Grilled Lemon Lime Chicken
- Flavor: The chicken marinade has a very mild flavor. You’ll taste the lemon and lime slightly, but it is mostly for tenderizing the chicken. The mild flavor of the chicken helps it to pair perfectly with so many different sides and salads.
- Texture: You’ll love the tenderness of this chicken. The tenderness is due to the olive oil in the marinade and the citrus juices. It is so juicy!
What’s even better? This recipe fits paleo, Whole30, gluten free and keto eating plans.
Plan Ahead: Marinating Chicken
The lemon juice and lime juice will break down muscle fibers in the chicken and tenderize it. So how long is best to marinate chicken in lemon lime juice?
8-12 hours is ideal for for this lemon lime chicken. Do not marinate over 24 hours, or the chicken may end up mushy and stringy.
How to Make Lemon Lime Chicken in 4 Steps
- Mix together olive oil, lemon & lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper and onion.
- Put chicken in a Ziploc bag and pour marinade over it. Allow to marinate 8-12 hours in the refrigerator.
- Place chicken on preheated grill (400ºF) and cook for about 10 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes, then serve.
Grilling Tip
In order to get your meat not to stick to the grill, be sure to preheat the grill to at least 400ºF before putting your meat on it. Don’t get impatient and put it on too soon or the chicken may stick.
The Best instant read Thermometer
We LOVE our Thermoworks ThermaPen to quickly test meat temperatures. This probe thermometer is AMAZING. Get it here.
Make it a meal.
This is a grilled chicken recipe that I could have in the fridge all summer to eat for lunches, dinners, you name it. Here are some serving suggestions to go alongside lemon lime chicken.
- Serve with a side of rice, corn on the cob or steamed broccoli.
- Slice the chicken and and serve on a salad with avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion.
- Pile leftover chicken on a homemade hamburger bun to make a chicken sandwich. It’s excellent with dijon mustard (or our mustard bbq sauce) and provolone or swiss cheese.
Love lime? For dessert, try one of our lime-filled delicious recipes: key lime sheet cake, creamy lime pie or our key lime cookies!
Lemon Lime Chicken
With just a hint of black pepper, you'll love this Grilled Lemon Lime Chicken, marinated in olive oil and citrus overnight. It's a healthy chicken marinade recipe that is light for summer.
Servings 6
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 small pieces
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix together olive oil, lemon & lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper and onion. 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 cup olive oil, ⅓ cup lemon juice, ⅓ cup lime juice, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1 medium onion diced, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
- Put chicken in a Ziploc bag and pour marinade over it. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator (8-12 hours).
- Place chicken on preheated grill (400ºF) and cook for about 10 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is no longer pink. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165ºF.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes, then serve. Season with fresh snipped cilantro or parsley and garlic with lemon and lime wedges, if desired.
Notes
This recipe works with boneless skinless chicken thighs as well.
Do not marinate this chicken over 24 hours, or the chicken may end up mushy and stringy. I find 8-12 hours is best.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6, with 1 serving being ⅙ of the chicken. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 589mg | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 11.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Adapted From: The Recipe Critic
My husband flipped when he ate this! I loved it as well since it fit with my Whole 30 diet. Super yummy and very easy – this recipe is a keeper!
what is the recipe for 1 person?Thanks in advance 🙂
I don;t have a grill. If I were to use the oven or stove instead, what would you recommend?
Gorgeous chicken Julie. So full of flavor! 🙂
I love recipes that use ingredients I have on hand!! We grill pretty much year round here in Phoenix – I need to try this!
I am a lover of all things lemon, and this chicken sounds amazing!!
We grill a lot during the summer and make a lot of chicken – this sounds so delicious and love finding a new way to enjoy grilled chicken! Thanks for sharing the recipe – pinning and sharing! Have a great Monday!
Delicious! 🙂 Love a good citrusy grilled chicken dish 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!
Yum and more yum! Love the healthy and light recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Ooh lemon lime! Sounds great! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #20!
~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com
Alwaus a treat to come visit and see what you two have come up with! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this with us at One Sharendipity Place this weekend! We’ve already got this pinned! 🙂
Sue @thet2women.com
I made this for dinner this evening and it was great. Very moist and I liked that the flavors were subtle, nothing overpowering. Definitely a keeper.
This recipe looks great! I’m making it this week!
I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award 🙂
Here’s the link! http://3monkeysmommy.blogspot.ca/2013/07/the-liebster-award.html#more
Another great healthy, yummy recipe!!
Thank you!
You are a blessing!
Love, Grandma Clark