Grilled Peach & Burrata Summer Panzanella

July 30, 2026

Italian Grilled Chicken Thighs

July 30, 2026

July 30, 2026

Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken

PREP TIME: 20 Min
MARINATE TIME:
CHILL TIME:
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 35 Min
YIELDS:

Simple ingredients often make the most memorable meals. This Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken is fresh, juicy, and full of bright citrus flavor with just a touch of sweetness from honey. It’s incredibly versatile, but my favorite way to serve it is alongside my Grilled Peach & Burrata Summer Panzanella, the two recipes were simply made for each other.

The Chicken I Always Make Alongside Summer Dinner

Whenever I make my Grilled Peach & Burrata Summer Panzanella, this chicken is almost always on the grill beside it. The bright lemon, fragrant basil, and subtle sweetness from the honey complement the smoky peaches and creamy burrata so perfectly that I honestly can’t imagine serving one without the other.

The marinade couldn’t be simpler, but giving it time to work makes all the difference. Even just two hours allows the lemon, garlic, and basil to flavor the chicken beautifully, while an overnight marinade creates even deeper flavor. Just avoid marinating for much longer than eight hours, as the acidity from the lemon can begin to change the texture of the chicken.

One of my favorite little finishing touches actually happens after the chicken comes off the grill. Instead of relying on the marinade, I drizzle the sliced chicken with a little good-quality olive oil and finish it with a fresh squeeze of lemon. It instantly wakes up all the flavors and keeps every bite incredibly juicy.

Notes:

  • Marinate for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 8 hours for the best texture.
  • Bring the chicken out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before grilling so it cooks more evenly.
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
  • For extra flavor, double the marinade before adding the chicken and reserve half in a separate bowl. Use the reserved, untouched marinade as a finishing drizzle after grilling.
  • Never reuse or serve marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken.
  • This chicken pairs beautifully with the Grilled Peach & Burrata Summer Panzanella, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, or rice for an easy summer meal.

If you’d like even more of that bright lemon-basil flavor, simply double the marinade before adding the raw chicken. Set half aside in a separate bowl to use later as a finishing drizzle. Never reuse the marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken.

Cook the chicken just until it’s done. A beautifully charred exterior with a juicy center is exactly what you’re looking for. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing so all those flavorful juices stay exactly where they belong.

For My Daughter's Journal

This is one of the meals I hope you remember as a whole, not just as a recipe.

The chicken on the grill, peaches caramelizing nearby, everyone reaching across the table for another bite, and those long summer evenings when dinner somehow turned into hours together.

founder of La Vita Bianca

Meet Bianca

Bianca is a home cook, host, and mom based in Naples, Florida, sharing the recipes she comes back to, the little details that make a home feel special, and the everyday moments in between. For her, good food is less about perfection and more about bringing people together around the table.

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Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken

Tender, juicy grilled chicken marinated in fresh lemon, basil, garlic, and honey. Light, flavorful, and perfect served alongside summer salads, roasted vegetables, or grilled bread.

5 from 3 reviews
PREP TIME: 20 Min
MARINATE TIME:
MARINATE TIME:
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 35 Min
YIELDS:

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts or chicken tenders
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Make the Marinade
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together:
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Garlic
  • Honey
  • Chopped basil
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
Add the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2–8 hours.
  1. Grill the Chicken
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the used marinade. Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes per side for chicken breasts (or 3–4 minutes per side for tenders), depending on thickness. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  1. Finish
Arrange the sliced chicken on a serving platter. Drizzle with good-quality olive oil and finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.