Garlic Sauce Grilled Chicken
This Garlic Sauce Grilled Chicken recipe delivers bold garlic flavor and tender, juicy chicken cooked to perfection on the grill. Using simple pantry ingredients, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, weekend barbecues, or any occasion where you want a flavorful and satisfying meal. The garlic marinade infuses the chicken with rich, savory notes balanced by bright lemon juice and fresh herbs, resulting in a crowd-pleasing favorite.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Garlic Sauce Marinade
- 6–8 fresh garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cumin
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Prepare the Garlic Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the finely minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and optional spices until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a shallow dish or ziplock bag and pour the garlic marinade over them. Coat each piece thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours for maximum flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking, preparing for perfect char marks.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the hot grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Avoid flipping too often to develop a nice crust.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the grilled chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic provides a cleaner, more vibrant flavor than pre-minced or powder.
- Don’t Overcook: Monitor grill time closely to keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Oil the Grill: Prevents sticking and helps achieve perfect grill marks.
- Marinate Longer: For deeper flavor, marinate up to overnight.
- Resting: Let chicken rest after grilling to lock in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast or thigh
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Garlic Sauce Grilled Chicken, grilled chicken, garlic chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, barbecue chicken, Mediterranean chicken, gluten free chicken