Grilling up a batch of grilled chicken breasts is the perfect way to make sure you have healthy, satisfying protein on hand! Spice up your chicken and mix things up with your favorite sides—you're good to go!
This right here is the best grilled chicken breast recipe out there. I'm serious. Say goodbye to dry, boring white meat forever.
What You'll Love About This Grilled Chicken
- Easy: All you have to do to make this recipe is have thawed chicken and a few simple ingredients.
- Make it ahead: Cooking chicken breast on the grill is incredibly easy to use for meal prep. It's lean and easy to portion.
- Healthy: Grilled chicken is healthy and making a batch of this grilled chicken will make sure that you have a serving of healthy protein for several meals all week long.
Recipe Notes
Although this is a grilled chicken breast recipe, you can just as easily use this recipe for a batch of chicken thighs or chicken wings!
Ingredient notes
- Chicken: I usually buy chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. To make things super easy, buy boneless, skinless chicken.
- Marinade: Lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Step By Step Instructions
- Marinate the chicken for at least an hour, but no longer than overnight. Use a grater to zest the lemons, squeeze the lemon juice, ONION?? Instructions
- Make sure your grill is hot and clean. Use a little bit of oil on the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place the chicken on the grill and DO NOT move it until it's time to flip it. Just let it do its thing.
- Grill 8 minutes on the first side and 6 to 8 minutes on the second side.
- Use a probe thermometer to make sure you have the proper temperature.
Make sure that your chicken is cooked to the proper internal temperature. The safe internal temperature is 165℉!
People ask me all the time how long to grill chicken breast. The secret is to use a thermometer. I usually take my chicken off of the grill at 155℉ and let it rest for 10 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise after the chicken is taken off of the grill.
FAQs and helpful tips
If you are grilling bone-in chicken, the cooking time will be longer. Always use a probe thermometer to check the temperature!
A cut of fryer chicken will have different pieces that will all come off the grill at different times. Dark meat tends to stay moister even if it's slightly overcooked.
Don't overthink it—just grill!
A fryer chicken refers to a younger, midsized bird that tends to be much easier to cook than your traditional chicken!
Boneless chicken thighs tend to be smaller in size, so they'll cook fairly quickly. Start with 6 minutes on the first side, and then try 4-6 minutes once they're flipped.
If you're not in the mood to grill, try my Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs!
Grilled chicken breasts are a blank canvas! Spice them up with countless seasonings and marinades—the choice is yours! The easy grilled chicken marinade I use in this recipe is just lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Grab a copy of my go-to Seasoning Recipe HERE!
Perfect pairings for your delicious chicken
If you're dreaming of Greece:
If you want some spice:
If you're dreaming of the perfect summer BBQ:
Best Grilled Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 Chicken Breasts or thighs
Instructions
- Mix up the ingredients for the Easy Chicken Marinade
- Place the chicken into a glass dish or a zip top bag.
- Add the marinade and toss the chicken to coat.
Options for Marinating
- Overnight: This is the perfect recipe to make the night before. Marinate the chicken overnight in the fridge. Remove from the fridge one hour before grilling.
- For at least an hour: If you are short on time, simply marinate this chicken for about an hour at room temperature before grilling.
- In the freezer: This chicken can be frozen. It is the perfect recipe to make a double batch of on then stick one batch in the freezer to cook at a later date.
Grilling
- Preheat the grill on HIgh. Bring the grill temperature to about 500 degrees.
- Add the chicken to the grill, then turn the grill down to a medium heat.
- Cook on side one for 8 minutes.
- Flip and continue to cook on the second side until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of about 155°F. About 6 to 8 minutes. NOTE: Cooking time will vary based on thickness of the chicken breasts and the temperature of the grill, which can vary greatly. I always use a probe thermometer when cooking. (It's science and I like tools.)
- Remove the chicken from the grill and place it on a platter, cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes. (the internal temperature of the chicken will climb during this time.)
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