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Grilled Chicken with Garlic

Grilled Chicken with Garlic

Grilled Chicken with Garlic is a simple yet bold-flavored recipe featuring juicy, tender chicken breasts or thighs marinated in fresh garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. Perfect for BBQs or quick dinners, this dish is easy to prepare, packed with aromatic garlic taste, and adaptable to your personal preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs, well-trimmed
  • 45 fresh garlic cloves, minced or crushed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano or thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until well blended to create a flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to infuse.
  3. Preheat Your Grill: Preheat your grill, charcoal or gas, to medium-high heat. This temperature is optimal to sear the chicken, lock in juices, and create attractive grill marks.
  4. Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes on one side without moving it. Flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Avoid pressing down on the chicken to retain its juiciness.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest covered loosely with foil for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring tender bites. Serve garnished as desired.

Notes

  • Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic delivers a vibrant, less bitter flavor compared to pre-minced or powdered forms.
  • Don’t Rush Marinating: A minimum of 30 minutes enhances juiciness greatly; however, up to 2 hours is optimal.
  • Oil the Grill Grates: Brush grill grates with oil before cooking to prevent sticking.
  • Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked perfectly to 165°F (75°C).
  • Slice Against the Grain: For tenderness, cut the chicken slices against the grain when serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, garlic chicken, BBQ chicken, easy chicken recipe, garlic marinade, healthy chicken, quick dinner