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 after I want a straightforward dinner, need to toss something on the grill, or want a batch of rooster for any kind of meal prep. The elements are easy, however collectively they make rooster that’s juicy, flavorful, and something however boring. At any time when 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 shiny 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 advocate choosing boneless skinless both method. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you’ll be able to cook dinner it nonetheless makes essentially the most sense on your day or the time of 12 months.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides one of the best taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you’ve gotten. You’ll want about 1 lemon for 1/4 cup of juice, however generally you’ll want 2.
• Olive Oil: Common olive oil or further virgin olive oil each work.
• Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper blends can differ 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.
• Pink Pepper Flakes: Utterly elective, however they provides a light 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 a bit of 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 a bit of sooner, whereas rooster thighs have a bit of extra fats, making them further juicy and forgiving in the event that they keep on the warmth a couple of further minutes. I exploit each repeatedly, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Technique 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 through the summer season, bake it within the oven for a straightforward 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 should utilize whichever works greatest on your schedule and the climate.

Serving Strategies

This rooster goes with nearly all the pieces (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 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.