Grilled Lemon Chicken with Broccoli
A refreshing and zesty grilled lemon chicken dish paired with tender broccoli, perfect for summer grilling and family dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 4 pieces thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts The lean protein base.
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest Optional addition for extra citrus flavor.
- 1/4 cup lemon juice Provides acidity for marination.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Keeps chicken moist.
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger Adds a warm, spicy note.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt Enhances flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Balances the dish.
Broccoli Preparation
- 2 cups broccoli florets Nutritious vegetable complement.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For grilling broccoli.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt To season the broccoli.
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Enhances flavor of broccoli.
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest Optional addition for broccoli.
Garnishes
- 1 cup fresh basil or parsley Optional fresh herb garnish.
- 1 slices lemon slices For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Marinate the chicken by adding all chicken ingredients (except basil or parsley) to a large ziptop plastic bag. Seal and smoosh to coat chicken evenly.
- Chill the marinade in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat the grill: set one side to high heat and the other side to medium heat.
- Prepare the broccoli in a grill basket by drizzling with olive oil, sprinkling with salt and pepper, and tossing to coat.
Grilling
- Place the grill basket with broccoli over high heat while cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken on the medium heat side of the grill.
- Discard the marinade bag to prevent cross-contamination.
- Cook chicken for about 5 minutes, flip, and stir the broccoli.
- Continue grilling for another 5 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Serving
- Optionally sprinkle lemon zest over broccoli and add fresh basil or parsley on the chicken before serving.
Notes
For best results, ensure even thickness in chicken breasts. Marinate for at least one hour, but overnight gives the best flavor. Use a meat thermometer for doneness. Don't overcrowd the grill and allow chicken to rest post-cooking for moisture retention.