Lemon Pepper Hen Marinade

I’ve been making this lemon pepper hen marinade for over 15 years, and it’s a kind of recipes I by no means get uninterested in. It’s the one I attain for after I want a simple dinner, wish to toss something on the grill, or want a batch of hen for any kind of meal prep. The substances are easy, however collectively they make hen that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. Every time I’m undecided 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 provides you juicy, flavorful hen 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 preserve the flavour shiny with out overpowering the hen. It really works simply as nicely with hen breasts because it does thighs so go together with whichever one your loved ones likes greatest. I do suggest choosing boneless skinless both means. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you possibly can prepare dinner it nevertheless makes probably the most sense in your day or the time of yr.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides the very best taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you will have. 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 fluctuate fairly a bit in salt content material so be careful for that.
• Dried Oregano and Basil: Follow dried herbs for this one to maintain issues easy.
• Salt: I’m simply utilizing desk salt right here.
• Crimson Pepper Flakes: Fully optionally available, however they provides a gentle kick with out making the hen overly spicy.
• Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts or Thighs: Each work nice. Hen thighs are naturally extra forgiving and keep juicy even when they prepare dinner a bit of longer.

Hen Breasts vs. Thighs

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

Hen breasts are leaner and prepare dinner a bit of quicker, whereas hen thighs have a bit of 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 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 in the course of the summer time, bake it within the oven for a simple weeknight meal, or prepare dinner it in a skillet if 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 greatest in your schedule and the climate.

Serving Ideas

This hen goes with nearly every little thing (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 preserve 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.