The creation of this recipe started as a plan to make a stir-fry with chicken marinated in lemon grass. Unfortunately, after visiting three grocery stores on our route, I couldn’t find any lemon grass. Not to be discouraged, I improvised with what I had, and the result was absolutely fantastic! When life gives you no lemon grass, you make due with lemons! Let me introduce my Lemon Spice Fusion Chicken…

While I used chicken breasts for this recipe, thighs would work equally well.

Ingredients for the Marinade:

• 1.5 tbsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp grapeseed or other neutral oil
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ¾ tsp white granulated sugar
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• 1 tbsp pickled ginger, chopped (or 1 tsp minced ginger)
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped (including stems)
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. Prepare the marinade:
   Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl (except the chicken of course) until well combined.
2. Marinate the chicken:
   Place the chicken breasts in a large sealed plastic bag or a shallow dish, then pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.
3. Grill the chicken:
   Preheat your grill to 400°F (200°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), flipping halfway through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
4. Rest and serve:
   Once cooked, let the chicken rest under foil for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender, flavorful bites.

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Final notes:

This Lemon Spice Fusion Chicken is a wonderful blend of citrus brightness, spicy warmth, and fragrant herbs. It’s perfect on its own or served with rice, grilled vegetables, or your favorite sides. I served it with Pearl Couscous and asparagus.

Enjoy your cooking adventure and the burst of flavors in every bite!