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–+ servings

Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Strips

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinate 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 190 kcal
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Equipment

  • Grill

Ingredients
  

  • 4 thin chicken breasts I use the frozen kind from Costco for budget-friendly convenience, but any will work!
  • 1 large lemon divided (½ for the marinade, ½ for grilling)
  • ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar or substitute champagne vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 5 cloves garlic chopped (fresh or frozen)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Chicken: If using frozen chicken, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. (You can marinate while it finishes thawing.)
  • Optional Step — Cut into Strips: For faster cooking and more grilled char, slice each chicken breast lengthwise into 4–5 strips. You can also grill them whole if preferred; just increase the cook time slightly.
  • Make the Marinade: In a large zip-top bag or shallow dish, combine juice from ½ the lemon, white balsamic vinegar, honey, chopped garlic, and salt.
    Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
  • Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high (about 400°F). Lightly oil the grates if needed to prevent sticking.
  • Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle generously with coarse ground black pepper on both sides.
    Place chicken on the grill and cook for about 5–7 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until grill marks appear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. I grilled mine even longer as I like a more charred/dried chicken.
    During the last few minutes, drizzle the juice from the remaining ½ lemon over the chicken for a bright, fresh finish.
  • Serve & Enjoy: Serve warm over your favorite salad, tucked into pita bread, alongside veggies and rice, or enjoy cold as a quick protein-packed snack!

Notes

  • Marinate Time: For the best flavor, marinate at least a few hours — overnight is ideal.
  • Strips vs. Whole Breasts: I love slicing my chicken into strips for quicker cooking and easy grab-and-go snacking. Whole breasts work too; just grill 7–8 minutes per side instead.
  • Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or a sprinkle of lemon zest before grilling for extra zing!
Keyword Grill
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