This Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken. Al Aseel Copycat comes together in about 30 minutes and is prepared on a grill pan for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste, or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Honestly, you’re going to want this on your rotation.
Ingredient Breakdown
Chicken Tenderloin
I use 500g/1lb of chicken tenderloins cut into 4cm squares because they cook quickly and stay juicy. If you don’t have tenderloins, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work just as well! Just make sure they’re cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Substitutions: You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor. They work beautifully in this recipe!
Greek Yogurt
Next up, we have 4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt for the marinade. It adds incredible creaminess and tang that pairs perfectly with the spice of the garlic and the freshness of the lemon. Greek yogurt is also a great way to keep the chicken juicy!
Substitutions: If you don’t have Greek yogurt on hand, you can use regular plain yogurt, or even sour cream, but just note that sour cream will change the flavor slightly.
Lemon Juice
You’ll need 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to give your chicken that zesty kick. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal, but bottled will do if you’re in a pinch.
Tip: Make sure to roll the lemon on the counter before cutting, it helps release more juice!
Garlic
1 tablespoon of finely grated or crushed garlic is a must-have. The more, the better, right? Garlic gives this dish its mouthwatering aroma and tons of flavor.
Substitutions: If you’re really in a pinch, garlic powder can work here, but it’s not quite the same, fresh garlic has that pungency and depth that dried just can’t match!
Olive Oil
We’ll use 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the marinade for a little richness and flavor. Olive oil is also great for sautéing and helps to get that amazing golden color on the chicken.
Tip: Extra virgin olive oil is the way to go for health benefits and taste, but regular olive oil works just fine, too.
Salt
1 teaspoon of cooking salt helps to enhance all the flavors and is essential for balanced seasoning.
Substitutions: You can reduce the salt or swap it out for your favorite seasoning blend. Just remember, if you use a blend, it might have sodium in it!
Yogurt Sauce Ingredients
For the yogurt sauce, we need another 1 cup of Greek yogurt, plus some extra garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and a little more olive oil to make it creamy and smooth, this sauce is the real star here!
- 3/4 teaspoon of finely grated garlic, yep, more garlic!
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, because why not have more riches?
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, more tanginess please!
- 1 tablespoon of tahini or an extra tablespoon of olive oil to really amp up that creaminess.
- 1 tablespoon+ of water to smooth out the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon of cooking salt to taste.
For Garnish
We’ll finish it off with 2 tablespoons of roughly chopped parsley, some lemon wedges, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. These not only make your dish look stunning but add a fresh flavor pop!
Oh, and don’t forget the Lebanese bread for sauce mopping, it’s basically a must!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Combine your chicken tenderloins, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, olive oil, and salt in a bowl. Mix it all together until each piece is well-coated. Let the chicken soak in the marinade for at least 1 hour. If you have time, marinating overnight is fantastic for maximizing flavor!
Step 2: Prepare the Yogurt Sauce
While your chicken is marinating, let’s whip up that yogurt sauce. In another bowl, mix together 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 3/4 teaspoon of garlic, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of tahini (or another tablespoon of olive oil), a pinch of salt, and water to adjust consistency. Give it a good stir until it’s creamy and smooth. Adjust the salt according to your taste!
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
When you’re ready to eat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your grill pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown and cooked through. You should be able to smell that incredible garlic lemon aroma wafting through your kitchen!
Step 4: Serve
Serve the grilled chicken hot, drizzled with your wonderful yogurt sauce, and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Enjoy with warm Lebanese bread for sauce-mopping and enjoy each bite of this heavenly meal!
Personal Connection
This Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken is my go-to recipe whenever I need a quick and easy dinner that feels like a hug from your favorite aunt. The best part is that it’s SO versatile. I can whip this up on a whim with whatever’s in the fridge, and my family always loves it! The flavors in this dish are so comforting, and every time I serve it, I can’t help but smile listening to my family rave about it at the table. You should hear my picky eater ask for seconds, now that’s a win!
If you loved this Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken, be sure to check out my Arabic Chicken and Rice Kabsa, my Lebanese Rice with Chicken, or my Chicken Blueberry Feta Salad for more family-friendly meals! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken is so easy to whip up! It comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal prep, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something tasty in a flash.
Crowd-Pleaser
This dish is so packed with flavor that everyone at the table, even the picky eaters, will clean their plates. You’ll find yourself reaching for a second scoop (or third!) because it’s that good!
Customizable
One of the best parts? You can easily switch up the ingredients! Swap the chicken for shrimp or veggies if you’re feeling inspired, or adjust the spices to make it your own.
Comfort Food
This meal is loaded with tons of flavor, and it feels warm and indulgent, just like classic comfort food.
Meal Prep Friendly
This chicken is ideal for meal prepping! Just marinate the chicken, and you can grill or bake it for dinner throughout the week. Pair it with a side of grains and some fresh veggies, and you’ve got a winning meal!
Serving Suggestions
What goes perfectly with this Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken? Pair it with rice pilaf, a side of grilled vegetables, or a simple Greek salad to round out the meal!
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave or a skillet over low heat until warmed through. It’s even good cold on a salad for lunch!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze the marinated chicken for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before cooking. So easy and perfect for meal prep!
Now go on, give this Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken a try. It’s got tons of flavor, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Lebanese Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Combine your chicken tenderloins, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, olive oil, and salt in a bowl. Mix until each piece is well-coated. Let the chicken soak in the marinade for at least 1 hour.
- If you have time, marinating overnight is fantastic for maximizing flavor.
- In another bowl, mix together 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 3/4 teaspoon of garlic, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of tahini (or an additional tablespoon of olive oil), a pinch of salt, and water to adjust consistency. Stir until creamy and smooth.
- Adjust the salt according to your taste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your grill pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the marinated chicken pieces.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve the grilled chicken hot, drizzled with the yogurt sauce, and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
- Enjoy with warm Lebanese bread for sauce-mopping.