Easy Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe
Grilled chicken breasts sometimes get a bad rap for being dry, tough, and boring. But the truth is, it really has nothing to do with the chicken itself. It’s all about the cooking method. And this is one of the easiest grilled chicken breast recipes that is going to show you how simple it is to make perfectly grilled tender and juicy chicken breasts. With my delicious marinade, a hot grill, and a little patience when it comes time to flip the breasts, you can have moist yummy chicken in no time! The marinade is composed of basic ingredients that help to elevate the flavor of the chicken as it is grilling. It’s just so darn tasty and I’m going to teach you how easy it is to make!
Chicken – I’m using boneless skinless chicken breasts. Ideally, your chicken breasts should all be about the same size for both even cooking and estimating the cooking time. Olive oil – My top choice is olive oil when I make this easy grilled chicken breast, but you can also use any vegetable oil like canola, grapeseed, or soybean. Herbs and spices – To add more flavor to the chicken I like to use garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. I highly recommend not omitting the smoked paprika! It adds a super yummy unforgettable smokey flavor to the chicken. Seasonings – Salt and pepper are used to season and boost the natural flavors. Lemon zest – An important ingredient that adds a very subtle touch of lemon to the marinade, which acts both as a flavor enhancer and acidic component that brightens the flavors.
Marinate The Chicken
Grill The Chicken
Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?
Yes you can! But do select boneless and skinless thighs. Then just follow the instructions as stated in the recipe, but cook the thighs for a little longer on each side, about 7 to 8 minutes. And just like the breasts, the internal temperature of the thighs needs to be at least 165℉ when checked with a digital meat thermometer to ensure that they are fully cooked through.
Can I Bake The Chicken?
Yes! If you don’t own a grill or maybe you’re just not up for pulling it out, you can easily bake these breasts instead. Just put the marinated breasts on a nonstick sheet pan sprayed with cooking spray. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake them at 400℉ for about 20 to 25 minutes.
How Do I Keep The Chicken From Sticking To The Grill?
The beautiful thing about properly grilled chicken is that it will let you know when it’s ready to be flipped. It does this by releasing itself from the grates as the chicken starts to form those beautiful char lines as it cooks. A lot of people, and rightfully so, are afraid of overcooking their chicken, so they flip it too soon and ruin all that charred yumminess which ends up stuck to the grill. But if you are patient and give it another minute or two the chicken will easily flip. So if you attempt to flip or remove the chicken and it’s sticking, don’t!
Storing Leftover Chicken
Make sure the chicken is fully cooled before storing it in the fridge. You can store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. You can also store the chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months!
Other Delicious Chicken Breast Recipes To Try
Baked Chicken Breast Instant Pot Chicken Breast Air Fryer Chicken Breast Firecracker Chicken Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
