Chicken. While some consider it boring, I consider it a canvas for seasonal flavors. And with the hot weather upon us, this bright & flavorful Grilled Citrus Chicken is a feast for the season.
During these hot Summer months, I don’t want to spend all of my time in the kitchen–it’s already hot OUTSIDE! I don’t need to be overheated INSIDE, too. That’s why this week I’m making super simple recipes that have very few ingredients, can be multi-purposed if there are leftovers, and are healthy and fresh to boot. Win/win/win, I’d say.
And because many of you know that I have a long love affair with citrus, I am always ready to grab a lemon, lime, orange or other similar fruit to use in my dishes. This one is no exception.
We make versions of this chicken all year long, and is made all the better by the luscious olive oil we use for simple preparations like this Grilled Citrus Chicken. This particular olive oil is Greek (“Give me a word, any word. I will show you how that word comes from Greek!”), and we got it when we lived in DC last year. Our favorite Greek restaurant in Northern VA, Nostos, sells this beautiful golden olive oil. They use it on absolutely everything. It has a silky texture, even balance of flavors, and is a must when making dishes that require a generous glug of rich olive oil for a marinade. Can’t get your hands on this particular brand? Just be sure to use a good quality olive oil to enhance the simple flavors of the citrus and herbs.
One of my favorite things about this simple dish is that if there are leftovers, the moist and flavorful chicken is even better the next day in a chicken salad or on a toasted baguette for lunch. Perfect for a picnic, and delicious served hot or cold. Try this Grilled Citrus Chicken in the remaining hot Summer days!
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 6 people | 10 minutes |
| Passive Time |
| 1-5 hours |
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Chicken can be boring all on its own. But when paired with some simple flavor boosters like lemon and fresh herbs it can be elevated to something that is finger-lickin' good.
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- 1 whole chicken, skin on
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 whole lemons, juiced
- 1 tbsp. fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp. fresh oregano
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- For the chicken, you can either buy a pieces of chicken, or purchase a whole chicken and break it down yourself. Pat it dry prior to prep.
- Place chicken pieces in a glass dish. Squeeze juice of two lemons over all of the pieces of chicken.
- Sprinkle the chicken with the thyme, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Pour the olive oil over all of the pieces of chicken, turning to make sure all of the flavors get onto both sides. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for at least on hour but up to 5 hours to allow it to marinate.
- Preheat grill to medium high. Grill each piece of chicken until the skin is crisp, and the juices of the chicken run clear when pierced with a fork. Serve with lemon wedges for an additional pop of citrus.
I know I went on about the olive oil. But I couldn't help it. I use it in dishes like this and just want to drink it with a straw it's so silky and delicious. But I won't. 'Cause that would be weird. But you have to taste the oil to know if it's truly worthy of your time, money, and your planned dish!
Haven't gone olive oil tasting? (yes, it's a real thing) Well, check out your local farmer's market, grocery store, or if you're lucky, local olive oil store. You can taste olive oil the way you would taste wine. What you're looking for is an oil that is not too peppery or fruity, but allows you to taste the briny nature of the olives without being overpowering. Every olive oil has a different flavor profile, and as such can be used for so many different things like marinades, dressings, breads, baking, and so much more.
If you've ever tried different olive oils, you know what I mean. There are so many varieties that you'll soon see that having the right olive oil for the right dish can make all the difference!
Perfect grill recipe for summer! Stunning photos and recipe, that’s for sure!
Perfect! My kids love citrus chicken and I love how simple and healthy this is!
Loving the lemon! I’ll bet this is amazing as a leftover (one of my favorite things)! Very nice!
Citrus chicken is my favorite in the summer. These look great! We grill so much I will be adding this to my list to make!