Lemon Pepper Rooster Marinade

I’ve been making this lemon pepper rooster 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 once I want a simple dinner, wish to toss something on the grill, or want a batch of rooster for any kind of meal prep. The components are easy, however collectively they make rooster that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. Every time I’m unsure what to make for dinner, that is often the place I begin.

Recent lemon juice does all of the heavy lifting right here, whereas lemon pepper and a few dried herbs preserve the flavour vibrant with out overpowering the rooster. It really works simply as properly with rooster breasts because it does thighs so go together with whichever one your loved ones likes greatest. I do suggest choosing boneless skinless both method. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you may cook dinner it nonetheless makes essentially the most sense on your day or the time of yr.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed offers the very best taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you might have. You’ll want about 1 lemon for 1/4 cup of juice, however generally you’ll want 2.
• Olive Oil: Common olive oil or additional 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: Utterly optionally available, however they provides a gentle kick with out making the rooster overly spicy.
• Boneless Skinless Rooster Breasts or Thighs: Each work nice. Rooster thighs are naturally extra forgiving and keep juicy even when they cook dinner just a little longer.

Rooster Breasts vs. Thighs

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

Rooster breasts are leaner and cook dinner just a little sooner, whereas rooster thighs have just a little extra fats, making them additional juicy and forgiving in the event that they keep on the warmth just a few additional minutes. I exploit each frequently, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Methodology Choices

One in every 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 season, bake it within the oven for a simple weeknight meal, or cook 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 on your schedule and the climate.

Serving Solutions

This rooster goes with nearly all the things (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.