• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kicking Carbs

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Contact Me
  • Keto Quick Start Guide
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Wendy Polisi
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Me
  • Keto & Low Carb Recipes
  • Keto Chaffles
  • Keto Recipes for the Low Carb Lifestyle
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Resources
  • ×

    Home » Grilling Recipes » Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken - Outdoor or Ninja Foodi Grill

    Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken - Outdoor or Ninja Foodi Grill

    Published: Mar 24, 2022 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Mar 30, 2022 · 1087 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two photos of grilled chicken with a lemon on top of it and the text Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken in between.

    If you like chicken recipes that are juicy, tender, and full of flavor, you will love this Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken.  With less than ten minutes of prep time, this easy recipe is perfect for family dinners.  You can make this on your outdoor grill or Ninja Foodi Grill. Either way, this one is sure to delight.

    Photo of a white plate of grilled lemon pepper chicken garnished with a lemon and parsley.

    Lemon pepper chicken is a great summertime dish that is perfect for grilling!  It is also a fabulous addition to your meal prep routine.

    The lemon juice helps to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor, while the pepper gives it a nice little kick. 

    This lemon chicken recipe will become a staple in your dinnertime repertoire. 

    Ingredients for Making Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken

    Overhead photo of chicken breast, oil, lemon juice, seasonings, and mustard in prep containers.
    • Chicken: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you could use chicken thighs too.  If you use bone-in chicken, increase the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165° F before serving.  
    • Oil:  I use avocado oil, but you can use olive oil.  
    • Lemon Juice:  Use fresh lemon juice.  For even more lemon flavor, you can add the lemon zest as well.
    • Mustard:  Use dijon or grainy mustard.
    • Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder, salt, and pepper are all you need to make this lemon garlic chicken marinade.  If you want to use prepared lemon pepper seasoning, you can do that instead.  (Just be sure to read the ingredient list to ensure there are no hidden ingredients inappropriate for a keto diet.)
    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    Tips & Tricks

    • If you want to try something a  little different, you can add fresh herbs to the marinade, such as thyme or rosemary. 
    • Want more kick?  Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade recipe.  (Just make sure not to go overboard – I’d recommend no more than ½ teaspoon - a little bit of flavor goes a long way!)

    Serving Suggestions

    Grilled lemon pepper chicken breast is good in a wide variety of salad recipes, such as this Keto Caesar Salad.

    It is also fabulous with Keto Asparagus, Fried Green Tomatoes, Loaded Cauliflower, or Keto Spinach Casserole.
    Looking for a dipping sauce?  This Keto Honey Mustard is the perfect dip for this grilled lemon pepper chicken recipe.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is it okay to marinate chicken in lemon juice?


    Yes, it is okay to marinate chicken in lemon juice; just be sure not to marinate it too long.

    Lemon juice helps to tenderize the chicken and adds a bit of flavor. 

    How long can you marinate chicken in lemon juice?


    You can marinate chicken in lemon juice for up to two hours. Longer than that, and the lemon juice in your lemon chicken marinade will break down the proteins in the chicken and make it tough. 

    Make sure to keep it refrigerated if you plan on marinating it for the entire two hours.  It is ok to let the chicken come to room temperature, but it should not sit at room temperature for more than one hour.

    How do you grill chicken without drying it out?


    It can be a challenge to grill chicken without it drying out, but there are some tricks you can use. First, make sure to season your chicken generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. 

    You should season chicken with salt - either in a marinade or directly - at least one hour before cooking.  The salt will get into the fibers of your chicken.  This not only flavors the meat but helps it to retain moisture as it cooks.

    When cooking lemon pepper chicken on the grill, you want to cook it over medium heat.  This allows the center to cook through without the outside getting too black.

    And finally, keep an eye on it and flip it to prevent burning.

    If you follow these tips, you'll end up with grilled chicken that is juicy and flavorful. Give it a try next time you're firing up the grill!

    Tools Needed to Make Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast

    As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying sales.

    • Ninja Foodi Grill, Charcoal Grill, or Gas Grill
    • Tongs (for flipping)
    • Meat thermometer
    • Silicone basting brush

    Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for four days.

    How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken

    Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade for Grilling

    Start by making the marinade.

    To do this, combine the oil, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings in a bowl.

    Put the chicken in a shallow dish or freezer bag.  Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the marinade over it.

    Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

    Drain and discard the marinade.

    Close up photo of a small bowl of oil, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings.
    Chicken marinade that has just been blended in a small bowl.
    Chicken marinating in a shallow dish.

    Grill or Grill Pan

    Heat a grill to medium heat.

    Oil the grates and add the chicken.

    Grill covered for 7 minutes.  Flip and brush with the reserved marinade.

    Cook for another 7 to 12 minutes until a meat thermometer registers 160° F.

    Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

    Ninja Foodi Grill Lemon Pepper Chicken

    Select the grill function and set the temperature to medium.

    Set the timer for 16 minutes.

    Add the chicken and close the hood.

    Cook for 8 minutes.

    Flip and brush with the reserved marinade.

    Cook for another 8 minutes until an instant-read thermometer registers 160° F.

    Allow to rest before serving. 

    For Serving

    Serve with lemon slices and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

    Close up photo of Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken on a white plate.

    Subscribe and Get My Best Comfort Food Recipes!

      We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
      Built with ConvertKit
      If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
      Square photo of grilled lemon pepper chicken.
      Print Recipe
      5 from 4 votes

      Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken - Traditional Grill or Ninja Foodi Grill

      Looking for a simple meal that is sure to hit the spot? This Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken is perfect!
      Prep Time10 mins
      Cook Time14 mins
      Marinating Time30 mins
      Total Time54 mins
      Course: Main
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: ninja grill
      Servings: 6
      Calories: 242.17kcal
      Author: Wendy Polisi
      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

      Ingredients

      • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
      • ⅓ cup avocado oil
      • ¼ cup lemon juice
      • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
      • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
      • 1 teaspoon sea salt
      • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

      Instructions

      • Whisk together the avocado oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
      • Place the chicken in a shallow dish and pour all but 2 tablespoons of the marinade over it.
      • Marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

      Grill

      • Heat a grill to medium heat. (About 400 ° F.)
      • Oil the grates and add the chicken.
      • Grill covered for 7 minutes.
      • Flip and brush with the reserved marinade.
      • Cook for another 7 to 12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160° F.
      • Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

      Ninja Foodi Grill

      • Select the grill function and preheat the grill to medium, about 400- 450° F. Set the timer for 16 minutes
      • Add the chicken and close the hood.
      • Cook for 8 minutes.
      • Flip and brush with the reserved marinade.
      • Cook for an additional 8 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160° F.
      • Allow to rest before serving.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 242.17kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.3g | Protein: 24.32g | Fat: 15.17g | Saturated Fat: 2.06g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.48g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72.58mg | Sodium: 547.06mg | Potassium: 442.06mg | Fiber: 0.23g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 37.32IU | Vitamin C: 5.31mg | Calcium: 9.23mg | Iron: 0.52mg
      « Keto Taco Casserole Recipe
      Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash - Keto, Low Carb »

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Relle

        April 10, 2022 at 7:46 pm

        5 stars
        Yum

        Reply
      2. Bernice

        April 11, 2022 at 1:57 am

        5 stars
        Oh wow this recipe looks so tasty. I have chicken in the fridge too. I don't have a Ninja foodie so I will try it in my air fryer!

        Reply
      3. Cami

        April 11, 2022 at 2:49 am

        5 stars
        This is so easy to make and very delicious!

        Reply
      4. Maryann

        January 06, 2023 at 1:54 am

        5 stars
        The chicken was absolutely delicious and juicy. I used my Ninja Foodi Grill and I started it at 400 deg. then turned it up to 450 deg. after flipping the chicken. It came out perfect. I will definitely be making this again.

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      Welcome

      I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

      Favorites

      Horizontal image of Keto Truffles covered in pecans on a white background with other chocolate truffles behind it.
      Close up square photo of a Keto Onion Ring on a white tile background.
      Square overhead photo of Keto Ranch Chicken in a large skillet against a dark background.
      Overhead photo of a large skilled of Keto Beef Stroganoff garnished with fresh thyme and mushrooms.
      Overhead photo of three small white dishes of Keto Chicken Pot Pie sitting on a wooden background and a white napkin.
      Square photo of keto cheeseburger casserole.

      More Posts from this Category

      Footer

      Privacy Policy

      Affiliate Disclosure

      Disclaimer

      Welcome to the Kicking Carbs website (“site“). Wendy Polisi is not a health professional and information on this blog, arising from this blog, or social media related to this blog is only her personal experience and opinions. You should always check with your health care provider before beginning any diet, health plan, or lifestyle change.

      Copyright © 2023 Kicking Carbs 2020