Lemon Pepper Hen 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 uninterested in. 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 kind of meal prep. The elements 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 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 vibrant with out overpowering the hen. It really works simply as properly with hen breasts because it does thighs so go along with whichever one your loved ones likes finest. I do advocate choosing boneless skinless both manner. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you’ll be able to prepare dinner it nonetheless makes probably the most sense on your day or the time of yr.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides the perfect taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you could 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 range fairly a bit in salt content material so be careful for that.
• Dried Oregano and Basil: Persist with 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 light 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 slightly longer.

Hen Breasts vs. Thighs

This marinade works properly with boneless skinless hen breasts and thighs, so it actually comes down to private desire.

Hen breasts are leaner and prepare dinner slightly sooner, whereas hen 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 often, 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 regardless of the way you’re cooking dinner. Grill it throughout 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 need to use whichever works finest on your schedule and the climate.

Serving Recommendations

This hen goes with nearly all the pieces (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.