Lemon Pepper Rooster Marinade

I’ve been making this lemon pepper rooster marinade for over 15 years, and it’s a type of recipes I by no means get bored with. It’s the one I attain for after I want a simple dinner, need to toss something on the grill, or want a batch of rooster for any form 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 unsure 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 preserve the flavour brilliant with out overpowering the rooster. It really works simply as properly with rooster breasts because it does thighs so go along with whichever one your loved ones likes finest. I do suggest choosing boneless skinless both means. I’ve included baking, grilling, and stovetop directions so you possibly can prepare dinner it nonetheless makes essentially the most sense in your day or the time of yr.

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed provides the perfect taste, however bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you may have. You’ll want about 1 lemon for 1/4 cup of juice, however typically 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: Keep on with dried herbs for this one to maintain issues easy.
• Salt: I’m simply utilizing desk salt right here.
• Pink Pepper Flakes: Utterly non-obligatory, 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 prepare dinner slightly longer.

Rooster Breasts vs. Thighs

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

Rooster breasts are leaner and prepare dinner slightly quicker, whereas rooster thighs have slightly 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 recurrently, relying on what’s on sale or what I have already got within the fridge.

Cooking Technique Choices

One among my favourite issues about this marinade is that it really works irrespective of the way you’re cooking dinner. Grill it throughout the summer time, bake it within the oven for a simple weeknight meal, or prepare dinner it in a skillet once you don’t really feel like turning the oven on. I’ve included directions for all three strategies, so you should use whichever works finest in your schedule and the climate.

Serving Options

This rooster goes with nearly every part (which is why I find it irresistible 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.