22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (2024)

Chicken is wonderfully versatile, delicious whether it's roasted, fried, baked, or poached. In the summer, we often find ourselves grilling it weekly and needing new recipes. Here, we're celebrating some of our favorite ways to grill chicken. If you love grilled chicken thighs, go for these Anticuchos de Pollo (Peruvian Chicken Skewers), which are coated in a chile marinade, or these summery Grilled Chicken Thighs with Pickled Peaches. More of a chicken breast fan? This Grilled Chicken with Banana Pepper Dip and Fattoush is ideal and fast enough for a weeknight dinner. We've also got recipes for grilled chicken wings and whole grilled chicken — with so many variations, you're bound to find one you love. Here's how to make grilled chicken taste new each time.

01of 22

Grilled Chicken with Marinated Tomatoes and Onions

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (1)

In under an hour, heirloom tomatoes and slivers of red onion are transformed into a savory sauce that brings bright, summery flavor to this simple grilled chicken. Chicken cutlets quickly pick up the flavors of the tomatoes and onions; let them soak in the marinade after cooking for an extra kick.

Get the Recipe

02of 22

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Maple-Mustard Marinade

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (2)

A pinch of ground allspice adds interest to a not-too-sweet maple and mustard concoction inspired by chef Brendan Collins. The simple sauce does double duty as a dressing for salad and as a marinade for chicken thighs.

Get the Recipe

03of 22

Charred Chile–Marinated Grilled Chicken Tacos

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (3)

To build deep layers of flavor in these tacos, chef Fermín Núñez begins his marinade by toasting and charring aromatics: dried chiles, cinnamon, allspice, and onions all hit the heat before soaking with juicy chicken thighs for an hour, imparting smoky flavor before everything cooks quickly on the grill or in the oven.

Get the Recipe

04of 22

Grill-Roasted Chicken with Crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Shallot Vinaigrette

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (4)

Crushed juniper berries combine with garlic and herbs to perfume this smoky chicken, a stunning centerpiece for a leisurely lunch with good company. For a shortcut, substitute quality rotisserie or smoked chickens; simply cover with foil and reheat in a 200°F oven before carving and serving. Either way, smothering the chicken and crushed potatoes with a classic shallot vinaigrette means every plate will be wiped clean.

Get the Recipe

05of 22

Grilled Tandoori Chicken

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (5)

Flavored by a yogurt and spice paste boasting ginger, cumin, and coriander, this chicken is reminiscent of ones cooked in a tandoor oven. For this version, we remove the chicken skin and score the flesh so that the spice paste penetrates the meat.

Get the Recipe

Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (6)

The secret to this perfectly juicy grilled chicken recipe from chef Anthony Endy is twofold: One, let the chicken sit in the aromatic citrus and herb brine for 24 hours. Then, once your coals are hot, keep the chicken moving on the grill. After the initial sear, turn the chicken often and grill until a probe thermometer inserted in the thickest portion registers 155°F.

Get the Recipe

07of 22

Grilled Chicken with Coconut Rice and Chile-Lime Sauce

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (7)

Chef Jeny Sulemange's grilled coconut chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. When preparing this dish at home, it's all about the marinade. Use full-fat coconut milk; you'll skim the cream for the marinade and use the remaining milk to infuse the truly irresistible rice served alongside with rich coconut flavor. Basting the chicken with more marinade on the grill gets the skin doubly crisp.

Get the Recipe

08of 22

Shawarma-Style Chicken and Mushroom Kebabs

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (8)

Starting over hot coals and finishing over low heat mimics the crispy-juicy results of shawarma, kebab, and al pastor shops around the world. After they are marinated, some of the chicken pieces may break apart; simply tuck those loose pieces in the center of the skewered stack. Use three skewers to stack and stabilize the shawarma so it's easy to maneuver on the grill.

Get the Recipe

09of 22

Tamarind Chicken

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (9)

The beauty of this grilled tamarind chicken is both its sharp, piquant flavor and its simplicity. A potent tamarind and chipotle marinade renders a richly flavored, juicy, and tender chicken in mere minutes, making it equally suited for a weeknight meal or a dinner party.

Get the Recipe

10of 22

Anticuchos de Pollo (Peruvian Chicken Skewers)

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (10)

These Peruvian skewers are coated in a thick chile marinade that withstands the heat of the grill and clings to the chicken, yielding caramelized, charred bits.

Get the Recipe

11of 22

Huli Huli Chicken Wings

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (11)

Chef Sheldon Simeon uses fresh ginger and pineapple juice to add bright heat and tang to the sweet, teriyaki-like homemade huli huli sauce that coats the chicken wings and pineapple slices in this recipe. The marinade helps the wings get smoky-sweet on the grill and retain a delicious juicy bite.

12of 22

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (12)

There are as many takes on jerk chicken in Jamaica as there are cooks on the island, but most share the same method: Chicken is coated in a seasoning mixture dominated by spices and chiles, then grilled. This version comes from Paul Chung, a self-taught cook of Chinese-Jamaican descent who worked in the mail room at Food & Wine. It's wonderfully spicy, smoky, and fragrant — everything you want jerk chicken to be.

Get the Recipe

13of 22

Balinese Grilled Chicken

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (13)

Grated fresh turmeric gives this grilled chicken a golden glow, while plenty of garlic, ginger, and puckery tamarind add bright flavor. Coconut charcoal burns exceptionally clean, letting the marinade shine. In Bali, Ibu Djelantik serves this chicken with her version of sambal matah, a bright, slaw-like condiment with chiles, shallots, and makrut lime or Key lime juice that offers a refreshing counterpoint.

Get the Recipe

14of 22

Grilled Chicken Wings with Jaew

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (14)

Low and slow grilling keeps these wings juicy and gives the skin time to render and char. Jaew, a sweet and sour chile sauce, delivers a heat-packed punch in this recipe by Kris Yenbamroong, chef-owner of Los Angeles' Night + Market restaurants.

Get the Recipe

15of 22

Smoky Skillet-Grilled Chicken with Crispy Bread

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (15)

Everyone loves the smoky taste of grilled chicken, but is cooking the chicken directly on the grates really the best way to go? This hybrid skillet-on-the-grill method lets you capture all the delicious juices that the bird gives off as it cooks while still allowing the chicken to absorb plenty of barbecue flavor. Smoky charcoal, plus the rich, deep notes of smoked paprika and chipotle chile, add plenty of depth; achiote paste delivers a deep red color to the meat; and a bed of rosemary adds that irresistible flavor.

Get the Recipe

16of 22

Rice Noodle Salad Bowls with Grilled Lemongrass Chicken

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (16)

Like rice paper rolls and banh mi, rice noodle salad bowls — often categorized at restaurants as rice vermicelli bowls or bun (the name of the noodles in Vietnamese) — can feature many wonderful things, like grilled lemongrass chicken skewers. To serve, simply layer the ingredients in a bowl and let diners dress and mix up their own at the table.

Get the Recipe

17of 22

Grilled Chicken with Banana Pepper Dip and Fattoush

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (17)

2001 F&W Best New Chef Anita Lo's cookbook SOLO celebrates the joy of cooking for one, just like this weeknight-friendly chicken dish with a twist. "The banana pepper dip in this recipe is perhaps my favorite recipe that my partner's mother, Bonnie Attea, makes," Lo says. "It's a three-ingredient wonder that makes a weeknight chicken breast exciting."

Get the Recipe

18of 22

Honey-Butter Grilled Chicken Thighs with Parsley Sauce

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (18)

These chicken thighs are brushed with honey-horseradish butter while they grill, creating a wonderful glaze. Then they're served with a vibrant garlic-spiked parsley sauce.

Get the Recipe

19of 22

Kewpie-Marinated Chicken

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (19)

A simple combination of lime, cumin, hot paprika, and Kewpie mayonnaise is the key to this delicious grilled chicken from F&W culinary director at large Justin Chapple. Serve the chicken with grilled onions, such as spring onions, red onions, cipollini, and scallions.

Get the Recipe

20of 22

Big Bob Gibson's Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (20)

In this iconic barbecued chicken from Alabama, chicken pieces are grilled until crispy and nicely charred, then paired with tangy white barbecue sauce. The sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to one week.

Get the Recipe

21of 22

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Pickled Peaches

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (21)

Pickling fresh peaches and then charring them on the grill adds summery flavor to this arugula salad with crispy grilled chicken thighs. Pair the finished dish with a fruit-rich Gamay.

Get the Recipe

22of 22

Feta-Brined Chicken Sandwiches

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (22)

The secret to incredibly flavorful chicken cutlets is a quick marinade in feta brine in advance of grilling. Justin Chapple then whips the feta cheese with lemon juice and olive oil to use as a spread for the excellent sandwiches here.

Get the Recipe

22 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make Again and Again (2024)

FAQs

Why is grilled chicken so much better? ›

Grilled Chicken is better for the body because it loses its fat during the cooking process. The fat will drip off the meat during the cooking process. This cooking method also provides iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc to the consumer. Frying chicken will cause it to lose these essential vitamins.

How do you fix over grilled chicken? ›

So the next time you step away from the grill for just a few minutes too long, here's how to remedy the your exceptionally well done meat.
  1. Slather it with a sauce. ...
  2. Put it in a soup. ...
  3. Hide it in a sandwich. ...
  4. Definitely don't reheat it.
Apr 24, 2017

Is grilled chicken healthy? ›

When creating a healthy diet plan, grilled chicken is almost always a staple. This is because grilled chicken is lean and contains far less fat and calories than other types of meat. Eating it regularly can help you lose weight, especially when you swap it out for fattier meats like beef or pork.

Why does Chick-fil-A grilled chicken taste so good? ›

Its proprietary cooking surface has a big impact on both taste and texture. Unlike your grill at home, it cooks both sides of the chicken at the same time, so it's done quickly. And like your grill at home, it leaves actual grill marks on the chicken, which add to the experience.

Is it OK to eat grilled chicken everyday? ›

Chicken is a healthy food (as long as it's poached, baked or grilled), but that doesn't mean you should eat it every single day. As both dietitians have explained, eating a wide variety of foods is the best way to give your body the nutrients it needs.

How do you keep chicken juicy on the grill? ›

The key steps to really juicy grilled chicken are kitchen essentials — lessons that even the most seasoned griller should revisit each year. Pound the chicken thin for more even cooking, brine or marinade for flavor and color, and grill over direct heat for grill marks, but finish over low heat to keep them juicy.

Should you cover chicken when grilling? ›

Uncovered Grilling

Even removing the lid too often from the grill results in heat escaping and the temperature dropping. This may lead to uneven cooking of the chicken. Keeping the lid closed on the grill to cook the chicken more evenly.

How do you cook chicken on the grill without drying it out? ›

  1. Choose the Right Chicken. Start with high-quality chicken breasts. ...
  2. Brine for Moisture. ...
  3. Marinate for Flavor. ...
  4. Bring the Chicken to Room Temperature. ...
  5. Preheat the Grill. ...
  6. Pat Dry Before Grilling. ...
  7. Use the Two-Zone Cooking Method. ...
  8. Monitor Internal Temperature.

Do you grill chicken fast or slow? ›

The goal is to maintain a low enough grill temp so that the chicken cooks "low and slow." The chicken is done when the internal temperature of the chicken pieces are 160°F for breasts and 170°F for thighs, when tested with a meat thermometer.

Is grilled chicken good for belly fat? ›

Chicken helps lose overall body weight if consumed as a healthy and balanced diet. In the process, one can also lose belly fat. While eating chicken, remember to opt for lean chicken breast; it is a good source of protein with fewer calories.

Is grilled chicken good for high blood pressure? ›

Chicken is not only a delicious and versatile choice, but it also is backed by dietary recommendations and research, making it a healthy addition to your eating routine, especially if trying to lower blood pressure.

Is grilled chicken healthier than a burger? ›

Pound for pound, chicken is the choice that gives you fewer calories and saturated fats compared with beef. However, that's inverted if you're considering a deep fried chicken burger, such as the Crispy Louisiana or the Southern Chicken.

Why do bodybuilders eat grilled chicken? ›

Yes, Chicken Can Help You Build Muscle Mass

Chicken gets the most points because it's versatile, low in fat and inexpensive. While you can eat most parts of the chicken, nutritionists suggest eating the breasts because they have less saturated fat and calories.

Is grilled chicken better for you than fried chicken? ›

Grilled chicken emerges with fewer calories and fat, making it the healthier choice. But remember, even heavyweight fried chicken can fit into a balanced diet, provided it's enjoyed in moderation. Variety is the spice of life, and an occasional indulgence won't knock out your health goals.

Why does grilled food taste so much better? ›

A: The science behind BBQ is the combination of heat, smoke, and the Maillard reaction. Heat helps to break down the proteins and fats in the meat, while smoke adds flavor and aroma. The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that creates the delicious flavor and aroma of BBQ.

Is grilled chicken better than baked chicken? ›

Rich in protein and low in calories, chicken is the go-to choice for many dieters and healthy eaters. Whether you opt for baked or grilled chicken breast, you'll get over 30 grams of lean protein and zero carbs. While both cooking methods preserve its flavor, baking is a safer choice.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6293

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.