Nani's Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

Name: Nani's Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

This bright and tangy marinade is my favorite way to keep chicken juicy and flavorful every single time.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Mediterranean· July 18, 2026

Nani's Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

recipesbynani.com

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Total

5 minutes plus marinating

Serves

There is something so refreshing about the combination of lemon and garlic. I love using this marinade because it works perfectly for grilling, baking, or even pan frying chicken breasts and thighs.

My biggest tip is to make sure you use fresh lemon juice rather than the bottled kind. It makes a world of difference in the final brightness of the dish.

🧺 Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl.
2
Place your chicken in a large resealable bag or a glass dish.
3
Pour the marinade over the chicken and make sure every piece is well coated.
4
Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes, though a few hours is even better.
5
Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook it using your favorite method until it is golden brown and fully cooked through.

💡 Tips

Store any unused marinade in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep some for drizzling over the cooked chicken, set it aside in a separate bowl before adding the raw meat to the mixture.

#chicken #healthy #gluten free #easy dinner #low carb

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