Grilled Lemon Chicken with Charred Broccoli Recipe
This Grilled Lemon Chicken recipe features thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts marinated in a zesty lemon and ginger mixture, then grilled to juicy perfection alongside charred broccoli florets. The combination of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and spices delivers a bright and flavorful dish ideal for a healthy, satisfying meal. Simple to prepare and cook, this recipe serves 5 and can be made ahead with an overnight marinade.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus minimum 1 hour marinating time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5 breasts)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon zest (optional)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 to 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional for garnishing)
- Lemon slices (optional for garnishing)
For the Grilled Broccoli
- 2 large heads broccoli, trimmed into florets
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (or olive oil cooking spray)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine the chicken breasts with lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, ground ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper. Seal the bag and gently smoosh it around to evenly coat the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or ideally overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Preheat the Grill: Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Preheat your grill, setting one side to high heat and the other side to medium heat for indirect cooking zones.
- Prepare the Broccoli: Place broccoli florets in a grill basket. Drizzle evenly with olive oil or spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Sprinkle the florets with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss with your hands to coat the broccoli evenly.
- Arrange on the Grill: Place the grill basket with broccoli over the hot (high heat) side of the grill. Place the marinated chicken on the medium heat side. Discard the marinade bag—do not use marinade as a sauce since it was in contact with raw chicken.
- Grill the Chicken and Broccoli: Close the grill lid and cook for about 5 minutes. Then flip the chicken pieces over and stir the broccoli to ensure even charring. Close the lid again and continue grilling for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and broccoli is charred to your liking.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, toss the grilled broccoli with additional lemon zest. Garnish the chicken with fresh basil or parsley and lemon slices for a bright finish. Serve immediately while hot and juicy.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the lemon and ginger flavors for a more tender, flavorful chicken.
- Adjust the salt according to your taste preferences.
- Using a grill basket for broccoli prevents the florets from falling through the grates and facilitates easy turning.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can grill the chicken on a stovetop grill pan and roast the broccoli in the oven at 425°F till charred, about 15 minutes.
- Ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving to prevent foodborne illness.
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