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 bored with. It’s the one I attain for once I want a simple dinner, need to toss stuff on the grill, or want a batch of rooster for any type of meal prep. The components are easy, however collectively they make rooster that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. At any time when I’m unsure what to make for dinner, that is often the place I begin.

Why My Recipe

• My go-to marinade for the previous 15 years.
• Only a few minutes of prep offers you juicy, flavorful rooster that’s prepared for weeknights, meal prep, or cookouts.
• Works with breasts or thighs and contains oven, grill, and stovetop cooking choices.

Recent lemon juice does all of the heavy lifting right here, whereas lemon pepper and a few dried herbs maintain the flavour brilliant 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 suggest choosing boneless skinless both approach. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you’ll be able to cook dinner it nonetheless makes probably the most sense on your day or the time of 12 months.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed offers the very best taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you might 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 further 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 optionally available, 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 slightly longer.

Hen Breasts vs. Thighs

This marinade works effectively with boneless skinless rooster breasts and thighs, so it actually comes down to private choice.

Hen breasts are leaner and cook dinner slightly sooner, whereas rooster thighs have slightly extra fats, making them further juicy and forgiving in the event that they keep on the warmth just a few further minutes. I take advantage of each frequently, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Methodology Choices

One in every of my favourite issues about this marinade is that it really works irrespective of the way you’re cooking dinner. Grill it through the summer time, bake it within the oven for a simple weeknight meal, or cook dinner it in a skillet once you don’t really feel like turning the oven on. I’ve included directions for all three strategies, so you should utilize whichever works finest on your schedule and the climate.

Serving Ideas

This rooster goes with nearly all the pieces (which is why I adore it 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.