Saucy barbecue drumsticks, juicy marinated chicken thighs and smoky kabobs taste even better with those irresistible char lines. These grilled chicken recipes make summer cookouts sizzle.
39 Best Grilled Chicken Recipes
Updated on Aug. 21, 2024
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Huli Huli Chicken
For a grilled chicken recipe that’s simple and delicious, look no further than this huli huli chicken recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to prep, then an overnight marinade locks in those brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce flavors.This is one of our best chicken recipes.
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Favorite Barbecued Chicken
Is there a place better than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? That’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia
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Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Butter
This grilled chicken gets a lovely pop of color and flavor from the lime butter—don't skip it! —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Tandoori Spiced Chicken Pita Pizza with Greek Yogurt and Cilantro
My family and I are big picnickers, and I'm always looking for new dishes to try in the great outdoors. The amazing flavors at our favorite Indian restaurant inspired these mini pizzas. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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How to Grill Chicken Breasts
Learn how to grill chicken breast for the easiest summer dinner. The days of dull, dry chicken are over.
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Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken
This grilled Greek lemon chicken is so easy to make yet so full of flavor! The lemon and oregano flavors shine in this simple dish. It pairs perfectly with some roasted vegetables or a side salad. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Peanut Butter Chicken Skewers
Peanut butter gets a chance to shine in this simple grilled chicken recipe. We love this dish’s rich, savory flavor that shines on its own or when paired with rice.
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Grilled Caesar Chicken Breasts
This grilled chicken recipe may just be the easiest dinner you ever make. A bottle of creamy Caesar salad dressing—plus pantry staples like olive oil, mustard and garlic—transform boneless skinless chicken breasts into a savory, effortless meal.
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Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
For a meal that rivals a restaurant, look no further than this teriyaki grilled chicken recipe. We love that it’s an easy meal for two, and that it takes just 15 minutes to prep. Serve it with your favorite takeout side, like lo mein noodles, fried rice or egg rolls.
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Barbecued Chicken Salad Sandwiches
No picnic is complete without this fuss-free barbecued chicken salad. Prep takes just 15 minutes, making this grilled chicken recipe almost as easy as picking up store-bought sammies. Serve ’em with potato chips and fresh fruit.
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Chicken Souvlaki Pitas
Go Greek! These chicken souvlaki pitas make for a light, delicious meal that’s perfect for summer. Enjoy this grilled chicken recipe on the patio or as part of a picnic.
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Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwiches
Basic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
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Strawberry Chicken Salad
Juicy berries, crisp sugar snap peas and crunchy pecans complement the lime-marinated chicken in this pretty salad. The homemade sweet-sour dressing is simply delicious. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Grilled Glazed Drummies
My family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, MarylandPit-masters, listen up. You’ll appreciate these other tasty grilling recipes.
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Grilled Lemon Chicken
My chicken gets its subtle pucker from lemonade concentrate. So simple, so sweet! —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, MinnesotaNeed more inspiration? Anyone can master these easy grilling recipes.
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Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers
This is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I've ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
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Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
I created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this releases the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, WisconsinThis delicious tastes like summer, as do these warm-weather grilling recipes.
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Ramen-Veggie Chicken Salad
Like a salad with plenty of crunch? Then this refreshing recipe is sure to please. Toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping. The chicken makes it a main dish. —Linda Gearhart, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Cinnamon Whiskey BBQ Chicken Wraps
Chicken, bacon, cheese and an amazing barbecue sauce make this a family favorite! The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
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Shiitake-Chicken Sliders
My husband and I love Asian cuisine. One of our favorite things to order at a Thai restaurant is chicken satay skewers with spicy peanut sauce. These chicken sliders are a fun variation on the skewers. They're moist and flavorful with the addition of shiitake mushrooms, and topped with the spicy-sweet peanut sauce and tangy cucumber slices. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Margarita Chicken Quesadillas
Quesadillas have never tasted as good as when they are filled with slightly sweet onions and peppers and topped with lime butter and salt. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. This version is the perfect recipe for a summer party—or a fantastic way to bring a little bit of summer into the cold winter months. —Stephanie Bright, Simpsonville, South Carolina
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Chicken Foil Packets
These herbed chicken foil packets are individually portioned and conveniently cooked in the oven, perfect for meal prep.
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Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado Sauce
I’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
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Tropical Island Chicken
The marinade makes a savory statement in this all-time-favorite chicken recipe that I served at our son's pirate-themed birthday party. It smelled so good on the grill that guests could hardly wait to try a piece! —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee
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Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs
When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
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Can-Can Chicken
Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Drumsticks
Bottled hot sauce isn't my thing, so I developed a fresh pepper glaze for grilled chicken. These drumsticks practically fly off the plate. —Kristeen DeVorss, Farmington, New Mexico
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Grilled Cherry-Glazed Chicken Wings
When I take these grilled wings to events, there are never any leftovers! Friends and family love them. —Ashley Gable, Atlanta, Georgia
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Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
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Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard Chicken
I came up with this recipe in college and it's been a household staple ever since. It's a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Berry Chicken Salad
Bright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan
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Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken
I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio
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Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa
To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
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Rhubarb-Apricot Barbecued Chicken
Springtime brings back memories of the rhubarb that grew beside my childhood home. When I found ruby red stalks in the store, I created this recipe for them. My family gives this a big thumbs up. —Laurie Hudson, Westville, Florida
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Caribbean Chicken
You'd be hard-pressed to find a marinade this flavorful at any store! Add or subtract the jalapenos to suit your crew's taste, and you'll be grilling a new family favorite before you know it. — Rusty Collins, Orlando, Florida
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Barbecued Picnic Chicken
I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
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Apple Thyme Chicken
Apples and chicken may seem like an unusual combination, but they make a wonderful meal when grilled to perfection. The thyme chicken marinade gives a boost of flavor and tenderizes the meat nicely. —Peter Halferty of Corpus Christi, TexasGrilled Chicken FAQ
How do you grill chicken without drying it out?
Chicken thighs are usually juicier than breasts, which are a leaner cut of the poultry. Chicken breasts are great for reducing fat in your meal, but they can quickly dry out. To help grilled breasts stay juicy, consider brining your chicken before grilling it. Brining is simply placing your raw chicken breast in salt water before grilling it. Marinating your chicken in salad dressings or marinades overnight will also help tenderize them and lock in the moisture.
Is grilled chicken healthy?
Grilled chicken is a healthy option for most people. It is packed with lean protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. This makes it a wonderful swap for fattier meats like steak or pork. A bonus is that grilled chicken pairs with so many other healthy sides like couscous and broccoli, grilled zucchini, crunchy salads and grilled corn on the cob.
What should you serve with grilled chicken?
Grilled chicken is an incredibly versatile dish. Because you’re likely to be grilling during the summer months, try seasonal sides like summer squash casserole or sweet macaroni salad. Lemony pastas or seasoned rice work as a base with nearly any vegetable from the farmers market on the side. If you’re using up leftover grilled chicken, chop it into almond-apricot chicken salad or turn it into a chicken pasta salad.
Homemade iced teas and lemonade make tasty nonalcoholic drink options. Beers like IPAs and amber ales, or rosés and crisp white wines make exceptional alcoholic pairings.
