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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Dinner / Easy Grilled Chicken Recipe

    Easy Grilled Chicken Recipe

    Published: Jun 27, 2018 · Modified: Mar 12, 2020 by Anna 20 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Easy Grilled Chicken recipe is a simple way to make juicy and flavorful chicken on any type of grill or grill pan. Perfect for a healthy summer dinner with your favorite sides!

    Overhead shot of grilled chicken breast on yellow plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Method Works
    • Ingredients:
    • The best grilled chicken marinade:
    • How to grill chicken?
    • Grilling time for chicken breast:
    • What to serve with grilled chicken breast?
    • Helpful Tips!
    • Kitchen tools needed:
    • More grilling recipes:
    • Easy Grilled Chicken recipe

    Why This Method Works

    Grilled chicken breast is one of the easiest recipes you can make on a grill this summer.  It's perfect when you want to take a break from burgers and hot dogs. Thanks to my simple marinade with oil, soy sauce, spices, and garlic the chicken will be juicy and flavorful. The meat is tender, juicy and flavorful!

    This Easy Grilled Chicken can be prepared the day before and marinaded overnight. You can also make this grilled chicken and use it chopped on top of a simple salad. So tasty!

    I serve this dish with my creamy coleslaw, baked potatoes and baked beans for a classic summer dinner.

    Ingredients:

    • chicken - Use chicken breasts or thighs. You can slice thicker breasts lengthwise.
    • olive oil - It will keep the chicken juicy and let it brown nicely. We all want those beautiful grill marks!
    • low-sodium soy sauce - My secret ingredient that adds flavor to the marinade. Use coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
    • lemon juice - Adds a light citrus flavor and tenderizes the meat.
    • apple cider vinegar - Tenderizes the meat. Keep the white vinegar for cleaning and use ACV for the marinade.
    • garlic - I highly recommend using fresh garlic, mince it and whisk it with the marinade.
    • paprika and oregano - My go-to spices that add flavor to the meat.
    • brown sugar - Adds a nice sweet flavor to the chicken. Use honey if you prefer.

    The best grilled chicken marinade:

    The best grilled chicken starts with a marinade. I use olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, fresh garlic, and spices to make it. All you need to do is whisk it up and pour over the chicken breasts. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour but preferably overnight. The longer you can let the chicken marinade, the better the flavor will be.

    Close up shot of marinade being poured over chicken breast in bowl.

    How to grill chicken?

    • Prepare the marinade and pour it over the chicken. Place it in the fridge.
    • When ready, preheat your grill to medium hot and grill chicken breasts on each side for 7 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breasts.
    • If you have thick chicken breasts, I recommend slicing them in half lengthwise.
    • The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
    • Always check in the thickest part of the breast to ensure it's done.
    • Next, place the chicken on a plate and let it rest before slicing or serving. That will keep the chicken juicy and prevent the juices from escaping.

    Grilling time for chicken breast:

    The cooking time for grilled chicken depends on the thickness of the breast. It can take from 7 to 9 minutes on each side for the chicken breast to be done and the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. Always check the temperature with a meat thermometer. I recommend Thermoworks products. They are very easy to use and extremely accurate.

    Close up of grilled chicken on yellow plate.

    What to serve with grilled chicken breast?

    There is an array of side dishes that can be served with grilled chicken. Our creamy and cool Cucumber Tomato Salad is perfect for summer dinners, as well as the delicious Dill Pickle Potato Salad. Let's not forget the popular restaurant favorites: the KFC Coleslaw Recipe and the Instant Pot Baked Beans. One of my favorite drinks to serve with grilled chicken on a hot summer day is my Peach Ginger Agua Fresca. It's so refreshing and thirst-quenching!

    Helpful Tips!

    • I like to poke the chicken with a fork before adding the marinade. It allows it to penetrate the meat and infuse it with even more flavor.
    • I really recommend using fresh garlic in this recipe. The powder will give it a hint of flavor but the freshly minced garlic will really make it present. If you don't like that, feel free to use garlic powder.
    • Plan ahead. Every time you use a marinade, you need to add the marinating time to the whole cooking process. Luckily, it's a quick and easy step to add everything to a bag or a dish and stick it in the fridge in the evening. The next day, your chicken is ready for grilling.
    • Every time you cook meat, it's best to let it rest after cooking. It allows the juices to redistribute in the meat. If you cut it right away, the juices will escape and you end up with a dry chicken.
    Overhead shot of easy grilled chicken on yellow serving plate with parsley garnish.

    Kitchen tools needed:

    A grill - you can use a gas or charcoal grill for this recipe. You can also use a grill pan and cook the chicken on the stovetop.

    A pair of metal tongs - very helpful in placing and flipping the chicken on the grill.

    A bowl or large container - for marinating the chicken. A large mixing bowl works great here! Just remember to wash the container thoroughly after marinating and discarding the remaining liquid.

    A meat thermometer is essential for cooking meat. I recommend printing and keeping on hand a sheet with the temperature for a variety of meats.

    More grilling recipes:

    • Pasta with taco beef, corn and beans with cheese topping in a deep pot.
      Cheesy Taco Pasta
    • Square image of banana pancakes with slices of fresh bananas and syrup on a plate.
      Banana Pancakes
    • Square image of chicken Gloria in a baking dish.
      Chicken Gloria
    • Square image of chicken and rice in an orange pot.
      Easy One Pot Chicken and Rice

    If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

    Easy Grilled Chicken recipe

    Author: Anna
    This Easy Grilled Chicken is a simple way to make juicy and flavorful chicken on any type of grill or grill pan. Perfect for a healthy summer dinner with your favorite sides!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 18 minutes mins
    marinating time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 28 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 224 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Place chicken in a large mixing bowl or container.
      1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
    • In a glass measuring cup, whisk together oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, spices and brown sugar. Pour over chicken. Turn it over to make sure it is coated with marinade.
      ¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
    • Cover the bowl with saran wrap and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour, up to 12 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavor it will have.
    • When ready, preheat the grill to medium high temperature ( between 350 and 400℉).
    • Place chicken over direct heat and cook on each side for 7 to 9 minutes OR until the internal temperature reaches 165℉. Always check the cooking meat with a thermometer, especially in the thickest parts of the breast.
    • Place cooked chicken on plate and let rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

    Notes

    • This Easy Grilled Chicken can be prepared the day before and marinaded overnight. You can also make this grilled chicken and use it chopped on top of a simple salad. So tasty!
    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 433mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 3.5mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Anastasia says

      July 21, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      Very tasty and easy to make! The chicken went great with a spinach/arugula salad with tomatoes and cucumbers and a balsamic vinegar and oil dressing.

      Reply
    2. Matt says

      May 30, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      Can I bake the chicken using this recipe ?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 31, 2020 at 2:03 pm

        Hi Matt! You totally can! I suggest baking it at 390 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes (depending on the thickness). Hope this helps!

        Reply
    3. Michelle says

      July 01, 2019 at 10:39 am

      I accidentally forgot to add the brown sugar before I poured it on my chicken breasts do you think it will be okay?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        July 01, 2019 at 5:43 pm

        It should be fine but it will be lacking in flavor. Let me know how it goes, Michelle!

        Reply
        • Michelle says

          July 01, 2019 at 6:01 pm

          Believe it or not it was not really lacking flavor and it was kinda tasty but I definitely want to try it with the brown sugar. I swear I'm loosing my mind quicker n quicker anymore due to the ost lymes disease and the stupid tick bite that makes me allergic to meat.

          Reply
    4. CoolMamaOf5 says

      May 02, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      5 stars
      Simple and delicious. Actually turned out just like the pictures from the author; I wish I could post my pic to prove it! Automatically my new go-to for grilled chicken to top our salads. The method gives you a moist, evenly-cooked item, and the flavor can stand alone or pair up fabulously with your other salad ingredients. We also ate it as leftovers the next day with rice and veggies. We grilled ours outdoors over medium heat for the suggested amount of time.

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 03, 2019 at 12:18 pm

        Yay! That's absolutely fantastic! I am thrilled that you love the grilled chicken. Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for your sweet comment!

        Reply
    5. J says

      March 21, 2019 at 9:43 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a good chicken breast recipe so that I could top a salad with chicken. Your recipe was excellent and will now be my go-to. Thanks for posting it.

      Reply
    6. Sandra says

      July 01, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      This would be perfect for weekend grilling!!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 01, 2018 at 5:42 pm

        Thank you, Sandra!

        Reply
    7. Erin says

      June 29, 2018 at 11:38 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious and so easy to make! !

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 01, 2018 at 5:45 pm

        Thanks, Erin!

        Reply
    8. Kimberly says

      June 29, 2018 at 10:48 am

      Grilled chicken perfection! That marinade sounds perfect, yum!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 01, 2018 at 5:46 pm

        Thank you, Kimberly!

        Reply
    9. Delaney says

      June 28, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      This chicken looks so amazing!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 01, 2018 at 5:46 pm

        Thank you, Delaney!

        Reply
    10. I Heart Naptime says

      June 28, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      Great recipe! Looks so simple!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 01, 2018 at 5:46 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    11. Meghan says

      June 28, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      I love how easy this chicken recipe is! Perfect for summer.

      Reply

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    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

    Hi, I'm Anna! Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family approved!

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