Citrus Marinated Chicken Breasts
Citrus Marinated Chicken Breasts are juicy, flavorful, and easy to prepare. Fresh orange and lemon juice create a bright, lightly sweet marinade with garlic and thyme for balance. Grill or bake for a simple, reliable dinner.
Servings: 4
Calories: 476kcal
Equipment
- 1 large zip lock bag or glass bowl with cover
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 Tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tbsps olive or avocado oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless (about 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 orange quartered
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme.1 cup fresh orange juice, 3 Tbsps fresh lemon juice, 3 Tbsps olive or avocado oil, ½ tsp sea salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 3 garlic cloves, 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Pour marinade into a large zip-top bag or bowl.
- Pierce chicken lightly with a fork and add to marinade. Turn to coat.4 chicken breasts
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry.
- Grill or bake until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Squeeze fresh orange juice over before slicing and serving.1 orange
Notes
- Marinate at least 4 hours for best flavor; overnight is ideal.
- Don’t skip patting the chicken dry before cooking—it helps with better browning.
- Use fresh citrus juice if possible for the best flavor.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Works well with chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 558mg | Potassium: 1361mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Vitamin C: 125mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg