A food expert has shared the recipe to make the most juicy and flavourful grilled chicken (Image: Getty)
Grilled chicken earns its reputation as a timeless favourite for good reason. It’s a dish that balances simplicity with depth and versatility with bold flavour. No matter the season—from sunny barbecues to warm, indoor meals—chicken is always a perfect choice. However, getting a perfectly cooked grilled chicken that is not dry and bland takes some special efforts.
Jennifer Segal, from once upon a chef, claims that this one recipe has resulted in a “tender, juicy and flavourful grilled chicken every time”. She wrote: “Because boneless chicken breasts are so lean, they often turn out dry, rubbery, and bland. Contrary to popular belief, marinating alone will not prevent grilled chicken from drying out; in fact, it’s often the marinade that causes the problem.”
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The recipe needs 30 minutes to be completed (Image: Getty)
To start with, the food expert suggests putting the chicken breasts in a large freezer bag and pounding them to an even ½-inch thickness. She explained that the step will make the meat tender and help it cook evenly.
According to Ms Sehgal, the most important part of this recipe is the marinade. To marinade, she has urged to use the lemon zest as it gives chicken “ample lemon flavour” without changing the chicken’s succulent texture.
She said: “Contrary to conventional wisdom, acidic ingredients (such as vinegar or lemon juice) do not tenderize lean boneless chicken breasts. Just the opposite: they “cook” the exterior of the meat and give it a leathery texture.”
Sharing a quick tip to zest the lemon easily, the culinary expert suggests using a fine or microplane grater.
Lemon zest is the key ingredient to marinade (Image: Getty)
Next, combine all the ingredients—except the chicken—in a large zip-lock bag. Add the chicken, then rub the marinade over it so it’s evenly coated.
As a final step, seal the bag, place it in a bowl to catch any leaks, and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
She said: “To avoid multiple pieces stuck together (which extends defrosting time), wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and then place them all in a ziploc bag. This also allows you to defrost one piece at a time if you’d like.”
And as you are ready to consume the chicken, preheat the grill to high and lightly oil the grates. Lay the chicken breasts on the grill, cover, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Once done, move the chicken to a serving platter.
A cooking enthusiast who tried the recipe commented: “Best grilled chicken recipe I have had in a long time. I will be making this again and again! My husband normally does not like chicken and loved it.”
Another one wrote: “After many disappointments, I’m always a little hesitant about recipes titled “The Best …”. This recipe, however, is appropriately titled.
“Flavorful, juicy, absolutely delicious!! Even my daughter who usually turns her nose up at grilled chicken breasts devoured this. This will be my go-to recipe anytime I grill chicken. Thank you, Jenn, for another great recipe.”
A third user chimed in: “Excellent! We usually only grill chicken thighs, but decided to try this recipe. This is, by far, the best grilled chicken breast we have ever made (or eaten). It’s amazing that you can have this great chicken in only 5 minutes on the grill. The spice profile is perfect.”
Ingredients
1¾ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1½ teaspoons lemon zest, from one lemon
