During the summer our grill gets quite a workout. It’s an easy way to get a quick dinner on the table, and since the kids are usually playing outside anyway it makes keeping an eye on them a bit easier too. To me a good marinade is the key to great flavor from the grill. I usually pull everything together the night before I want to cook it and then toss it all in a zip top bag. When I’m ready to cook all I need to do is wait for the grill to heat up. When it’s time to clean up all I have to do is throw away the bag and put the dinner plates in the dishwasher, which gives us even more time to play outside.
This lager and lemon chicken is full of bright flavors like refreshing lemon and bold garlic. Those flavors are balanced nicely with the sweetness of honey and of course, beer. The beer infuses the chicken with a wonderful mellow flavor and helps to make each bite tender and juicy. It’s important not to overcook the chicken when grilling since it can become dry rather quickly. I highly recommend getting an instant read thermometer to use when grilling. I use mine for everything I put on the grill because the heat source can be hard to control, making cooking times vary quite a bit. It’s especially important to know exactly when chicken is done, since undercooked chicken can cause food poisoning – a cook’s worst nightmare.
This easy little grilled chicken meal is a staple for us during the summer. It makes a great main dish with a side of grilled zucchini or asparagus. It’s wonderful on a salad or as a sandwich too, so make a few extra pieces and enjoy the leftovers for lunch.
Lager and Lemon Chicken
serves 4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs work great too)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 Tablespoon honey
2 Tablespoons lemon juice plus 1/2 teaspoon zest
1 cup lager beer (such as Budweiser or Miller)
1 teaspoon dried basil
Place all ingredients inside a gallon-size zip top bag. Seal tightly and shake to distribute evenly. Place inside a large bowl (to catch any leaks) and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to cook place chicken on pre-heated grill. Discard bag. Cook 5 minutes on each side, or until an instant read thermometer registers 165 degrees. Serve immediately.
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