Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe

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By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on June 10, 2023 | Last Updated on July 5, 2023

Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is a classic favorite that has been served in Applebee’s restaurant for decades. Whether it’s for dinner or lunch, this easy-to-make recipe comes together quickly and can be served with your favorite side dishes. 

With this copycat recipe, you can now make your own delicious Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken at home.

In this article, we’ll share the ingredients, the step-by-step instructions, and some tips on how to make the perfect cedar grilled lemon chicken. 

We’ll also share some nutritional information for you to consider when serving this dish. Let’s get started!

Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe

What is Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken?

Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is a dish from the famous American restaurant Applebee’s. This dish is made with boneless or skinless chicken breasts marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, and salt.

The cedar chips added to the grill give it a wood-fired flavor that makes this dish so delicious. You can serve it up with a side of your favorite vegetables or salad for an easy and flavorful meal.

It has a subtly sweet and tangy flavor that comes from the lemon juice. The garlic adds an aromatic flavor and the oregano provides a hint of earthiness. 

The cedar chips give the dish a unique wood-fired flavor that you can only get with grilling. It is an overall light and flavorful dish that is sure to impress your guests.

I first tried Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken on a family trip to one of their restaurant. I was instantly impressed with the flavor.

After coming back home, I looked for recipes online and found something great.

One day I tried to recreate my own version and I was surprised to see how easy it was to make. 

And the combination of flavors was unique and delicious. Since then, I have been making it for my family and friends.

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How to make Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken?

Making Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is quick and easy. All you need is the ingredients & step-by-step instructions:

Ingredients

  • Boneless or Skinless Chicken Breasts: This is the main ingredient. You can use any type of chicken breasts you like – plain, boneless, or skinless.
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a nice zesty flavor to the dish and helps to tenderize the chicken.
  • Olive Oil: The olive oil helps to keep the chicken moist while grilling it.
  • Dried Oregano: This herb adds a depth of flavor to the dish.
  • Black Pepper: The pepper brings out the flavors of the other ingredients and helps to balance them.
  • Salt: Salt is added for flavor and helps to season the chicken.
  • Cedar Chips: Cedar chips are used as a wood-fired flavor. You can buy pre-packaged cedar chips or make your own using cedar planks.
  • Garlic: Garlic adds an aromatic flavor to the dish and enhances the other flavors of the ingredients.
Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until combined.

Step 3

Place the chicken breasts in the marinade and let them sit for 15 minutes. This will help tenderize the chicken and give it a great flavor.

Step 4

Add the cedar chips to the preheated grill. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes per side, or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.

Step 5

Once done cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 6

Serve the cedar-grilled lemon chicken with your favorite side dishes!

Tips

-You can marinate the chicken overnight for a more intense flavor.

-If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes.

-Make sure to use fresh lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice. The freshness of the lemon juice will make a difference in the flavor of the dish.

-If you don’t have cedar chips, you can use wood chips such as hickory or oak.

-This dish also works well with other types of proteins such as shrimp and salmon.

Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe 1

Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe

Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is a classic favorite that has been served in Applebee’s restaurant for decades. Whether it’s for dinner or lunch, this easy-to-make recipe comes together quickly and can be served with your favorite side dishes.
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Author: Dr. Leah Alexander
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 250kcal

Equipment

  • Barbecue grill or oven
  • wooden spoon
  • Large Bowl
  • Basting brush
  • or large spoon

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Pound of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1/8 Cup Lemon Juice
  • 1/8 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
  • 1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Cedar Chips
  • 1 Clove Garlic, Minced

Instructions

  • Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until combined.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the marinade and let them sit for 15 minutes. This will help tenderize the chicken and give it a great flavor.
  • Add the cedar chips to the preheated grill. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes per side, or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.
  • Once done cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Serve the cedar-grilled lemon chicken with your favorite side dishes!

Notes

-You can marinate the chicken overnight for a more intense flavor.
-If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes.
-Make sure to use fresh lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice. The freshness of the lemon juice will make a difference in the flavor of the dish.
-If you don’t have cedar chips, you can use wood chips such as hickory or oak.
-This dish also works well with other types of proteins such as shrimp and salmon.
Keyword: Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken, Applebees Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe

Nutrition Information

  • Protein: 26 Grams
  • Fat: 9 Grams
  • Carbohydrates: 3 Grams
  • Fiber: 1 Gram

What to serve with Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken?

Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some great options include roasted vegetables, quinoa or rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, green salad, and couscous. 

You can also serve it with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch dressing or BBQ sauce.

How to store leftover Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken?

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze the leftover chicken, but make sure to wrap it tightly so it doesn’t get freezer burn. 

To reheat the chicken, you can either microwave it or bake it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

Can pregnant women eat this?

Yes, pregnant women can eat Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken. However, they should make sure that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in order to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. 

They should also avoid consuming raw or undercooked eggs, meat, and fish. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before eating this dish.

FAQs

Is it healthy?

Yes! Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is a healthy option. The main ingredient – chicken breasts – is low in fat and high in protein. 

This dish also contains olive oil, which has beneficial fatty acids that can help lower cholesterol levels. Additionally, the lemon juice adds a boost of vitamin C to this dish.

Can this dish be made ahead of time?

Yes, the chicken can be marinated ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This will help to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with more flavor. 

The cedar chips should also be pre-soaked before grilling, so they won’t burn on the grill.

Can this dish be cooked in the oven?

Yes, you can bake the cedar-grilled lemon chicken in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes. You won’t get the smoky flavor from the cedar chips, but it will still be a delicious dish.

Wrapping Up

This Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is a very popular classic dish served in the Applebee’s restaurant. Now you can make it at home with our easy-to-follow recipe and step-by-step instructions. 

This delicious dish has a subtly sweet and tangy flavor that will delight your taste buds. This dish goes well with vegetables or salad for an easy and flavorful meal.

Thank you for reading! We hope you and your family enjoy this delicious Applebee’s Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken. 

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Author Profile

Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.

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