I work really hard to feed my family healthy and flavorful meals. I really do. But sometimes the wind goes directly out of my sails when I hear “That’s what we are having for dinner?” complete with an eye roll to accompany it. Then it is followed up with a request for pasta or tacos, both of which I am so sick of eating I’d rather have dog food. So the other day, I set out to use some of my family’s favorite flavors to create a marinated chicken dish that everyone would be happy with. Lucky for me, I avoided the eye roll that night. The citrus and herb marinated chicken was a success!
As you know, all of my recipes have to be easy. Just like you, I don’t have time to slave away in the kitchen all day. There are after school activities and homework and my job. With the citrus and herb marinated chicken you make the marinade, toss it with the chicken and let it sit for at least 2 hours until you throw it on the grill. Super easy.
Here is what you will need (for 4 servings):
chicken breasts
juice from 1 lemon
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
juice from 1 orange (or 1/4 C. orange juice)
1/4 C. olive oil
1/4 C. chopped basil leaves
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt
pepper
Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts to your liking. I put mine in a baking dish, but you can just as easily put it in a plastic bag to marinate.
Whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, orange juice and olive oil. Add in the basil leaves, thyme and garlic. Pour over the chicken and allow it to sit, refrigerated, for at least 2 hours. I did mine for 6 and it really packed in the flavor. Citrus juices are a natural tenderizer, so the marinade helps the chicken remain soft and juicy.
When the time is up, simply grill your chicken breasts. These citrus and herb marinated chicken breasts are delicious and super healthy when served with a salad. For my kids, I served it with rice and peas. But they ate every last bit of their serving. My daughter liked it because there was a bit of sweetness from the orange. My son liked it because it was pretty tame, no crazy spices. No eye rolls and I didn’t have to eat dog food. Now that’s a winner!
