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Grilled Chicken with Lemon and Capers

Grilled Chicken with Lemon and Capers

Craving something fresh and flavorful? Grilled Chicken with Lemon and Capers is your answer! This dish is packed with zesty lemon and briny capers, giving you a delicious, easy weeknight dinner. Perfectly grilled chicken breasts will have your taste buds dancing!
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless-skinless chicken breasts trimmed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
  • 1 tsp. garlic puree (or crushed fresh garlic)
  • 1/2 T caper juice
  • 2 T finely chopped capers (or use less if you’re not wild about capers)
  • fresh ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Grater
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Chef's Knife
  • Blender
  • Food Processor
  • Frying Pan

Method
 

  1. Trim all fat and tendons from chicken breasts and trim underneath side if needed so chicken pieces are all the same thickness.
  2. Make small slits crosswise going down each chicken breast to help the marinade penetrate.
  3. Use a chef’s knife to finely chop capers.
  4. Crush the oregano with a rolling pin or meat mallet.
  5. Mix together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic puree, caper juice, chopped capers, and black pepper. (You could also put all the marinade ingredients in a blender and process them rather than chopping the capers and crushing the oregano.)
  6. Lay chicken flat in a large Ziploc bag and pour marinade over. Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator, preferably 4-6 hours or longer.
  7. When you're ready to cook, drain chicken well in a colander placed in the sink.
  8. Spray the grill grates with non-stick spray, then preheat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. (You can only hold your hand there for a few seconds at that temperature.)
  9. Lay the chicken pieces at an angle to the grill grates and cook for 3-4 minutes without moving.
  10. Then lift the edge of one piece of chicken to see if grill marks are as dark as you’d like them.
  11. When they look good, rotate the chicken to the opposite angle and cook 3-4 minutes more on the first side.
  12. When you have good grill marks, turn chicken to the opposite side and cook 2-3 minutes more (or longer for very thick chicken breasts.)
  13. Chicken is done when it feels firm (but not hard) to the touch when you press down on it with your finger.
  14. Don’t overcook. Serve hot.
  15. This chicken could also be cooked in a stove-top grill pan with ridges or a George Foreman Grill with good results.

Notes

  • Storage: Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently to preserve moisture.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the marinated chicken. Just place it in a freezer-safe bag and it will be good for up to three months.
  • Pairing: This dish pairs wonderfully with a light salad or grilled vegetables. The fresh flavors complement each other beautifully.
  • Variations: For a twist, try adding different herbs to the marinade, such as thyme or rosemary, for a unique flavor profile.
  • Serving Suggestions: Consider serving this chicken over a bed of arugula or spinach for added color and nutrition.