Lemon Basil Chicken Marinade (The Fresh Summer Meal Prep Protein I Make on Repeat)
This Lemon Basil Chicken Marinade is bright, fresh, and perfect for meal prep. Marinate chicken ahead of time and use it for bowls, salads, wraps, and easy weeknight dinners all week long.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
Lately I’ve been simplifying meal prep even more. Instead of spending my entire Sunday cooking complete meals, I’ve been focusing on prepping a few proteins that can easily turn into different dinners throughout the week. It’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to keep healthy dinners on the table without feeling like I’m spending my entire life in the kitchen. This Lemon Basil Chicken has quickly become one of my favorite summer marinades because it’s fresh, light, versatile, and works with just about everything.
The combination of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and basil creates a chicken that feels bright and flavorful without being heavy. It’s one of those recipes that tastes like summer.
One night I served it over my zesty lemon parmesan orzo with fresh vegetables and herbs, but honestly this chicken can become five different dinners throughout the week.
If you’re following along with my Protein Prep Trio series, don’t miss my:
and
[Coconut Lime Chicken Marinade]
Having all three proteins prepped at the beginning of the week gives you completely different flavor profiles without requiring hours of meal prep.
Why I Love Protein Prep Instead of Traditional Meal Prep
For years I thought meal prep meant spending half my Sunday filling containers.
The reality is that my family gets tired of eating the same thing every day.
Now I prep proteins.
That’s it.
A few minutes spent mixing marinades means dinner is basically halfway done all week long.
When you’re ready to cook, simply pull the protein from the refrigerator and grill it.
The result tastes fresh, not reheated.
For busy moms, I honestly think this is the sweet spot between meal prep and flexibility.
How Long Should You Marinate Lemon Basil Chicken?
This marinade starts working pretty quickly because of the acidity from the lemons.
I recommend:
- Minimum: 4 hours
- Ideal: 12-24 hours
- Maximum: 48 hours
Anything longer than 48 hours can begin breaking down the texture of the chicken because of the citrus.
Can You Freeze Chicken in the Marinade?
Absolutely.
This is actually one of my favorite freezer meal hacks.
Add the chicken and marinade directly into a freezer-safe bag and freeze flat.
When you’re ready to use it, transfer it to the refrigerator the night before.
As it thaws, it continues marinating, which means you’ve essentially meal prepped dinner weeks in advance.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How I Served It
This ended up becoming a Lemon Basil Chicken Bowl and it was so good.
I paired the grilled chicken with:
- Zesty lemon parmesan orzo
- Fresh cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Extra lemon wedges
The orzo was honestly the perfect addition.
After cooking, I tossed it with parmesan cheese, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper for an easy side dish that matched the chicken perfectly.
Other Ways to Use Lemon Basil Chicken
One of the reasons I love this recipe is because it works for so many meals.
Try it:
- Over pasta
- In Caesar wraps
- On salads
- In grain bowls
- Stuffed into pita bread
- In meal prep lunch containers
- On top of a Peach Caprese Salad
- In a Mediterranean bowl
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts?
Yes. Chicken thighs stay juicier, but chicken breasts work great.
Can I use dried basil?
Fresh basil is best here.
Can I bake instead of grill?
Absolutely. Bake at 400°F until the chicken reaches 165°F.
storage Tips for this Marinade
Once cooked, store the chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
The leftovers are incredible cold on salads and wraps.
Looking for More Meal Prep Proteins?
Don’t miss:
[Coconut Lime Chicken Marinade]
These three marinades have completely changed the way I approach weekly meal prep.
I hope this meal prep helps you! Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!
Lemon Basil Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Let's Make It
- Whisk all marinade ingredients together.
- Add chicken thighs to a large zip-top bag or container.
- Pour marinade over chicken and massage to coat.
- Refrigerate for:
- Minimum: 4 hours
- Best: 12-24 hours
- Maximum: 48 hours
- Grill over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side or until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Meal Prep in 1 Hour
You can use any two of the meals in this series to get your meal prep done in just about and hour, give or take!
Having your breakfast and lunch ready for the week helps you stay on track with your nutriton, saves you time and money! I truly beleive that meal prep does not need to be over complicated, take too much time or be boring!
I always get asked- “do you ever get tired of eating the same thing all week?” and the answer is, no! Not when the food taste good! I give plenty of variety in these preps and keep it simple!
As always, thanks for being here and remember, don’t over complicate the process! Take a deep breath, you got this!
