Having grown up in the South, I never thought twice about how my parents popping into our backyard to throw tandoori chicken on the grill was indeed a privilege of a suburban lifestyle. After looking through a lot of grilled chicken recipes last year, I was rudely reminded that my spouse and I will have to wait years and make some big financial changes before we can finally buy a house with a back porch and a friendly neighborhood.
But in an attempt to keep fighting for my at-home grilling dreams, I pulled out my trusty cast-iron grill pan and attempted to sizzle up some steak. In just five minutes, our two-bedroom apartment turned into a smokey maze, and the fire department showed up at our door. I left my hopes of grilling in my apartment in a tall pile with the rest of the inconvenient frivolities that come with renting in NYC. That is, until I came across our deputy food editor Hana Asbrink’s broiler chicken method.
Her too-good-to-be-true recipe promised charred, juicy chicken after 15 minutes in a broiler. Huh? My subconscious ran a montage of every food I’ve ever burned under an oven’s broiler. But I defrosted a pound of chicken anyway and gave Hana’s promise a chance. Now, “grilled” chicken is no longer out of reach; it’s just a quick marination and broiling session away. Here’s how you can grill perfectly charred chicken with your broiler.
One of the fastest and easiest ways to make juicy, tasty chicken for dinner is to broil chicken breast. When broiled chicken is done right, it comes out of the oven with a nicely browned outside and a juicy, tender inside. You can always get boneless, skinless chicken breasts done just right by following these steps.
What You Need to Know About Broiling Chicken Breasts
Broiling relies on intense, direct heat from above to cook food quickly. Understanding some key tips will ensure broiled chicken breast success:
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For the fastest cooking time, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pound them to a level thickness so they cook evenly.
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Elevate the chicken on a broiler pan or rack to promote air circulation. This allows the heat to surround the chicken.
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Preheat the broiler for at least 5 minutes first Always broil with the oven door slightly ajar to prevent overheating.
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Place the chicken on the oven rack so that it is 4 to 6 inches from the heat source. Keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
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Brush chicken with oil before broiling. Oil promotes browning and keeps the lean chicken moist.
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Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Chicken breasts can be eaten at 165°F, but they taste best at 170°F.
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Allow the chicken to rest before slicing for juicier results. The juices redistribute during the resting time.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Broiling Chicken Breast
Follow these simple steps for foolproof chicken breast every time:
1. Prepare the Chicken
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Start with fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pat them dry with paper towels.
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If the breasts are thick, pound them with a meat mallet until about 1⁄2 inch thickness. This promotes even cooking.
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Lightly coat both sides with olive oil. This helps the chicken brown.
2. Preheat the Broiler
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Set oven to broil on high. Place oven rack 4-6 inches from heating element.
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Preheat broiler for at least 5 minutes as oven heats up.
3. Season the Chicken
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Season chicken breasts as desired. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika all work well.
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You can also marinate chicken beforehand up to 24 hours for added flavor.
4. Broil the Chicken
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Place chicken on broiler pan or baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
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Broil for 6-8 minutes per side until browned and chicken reaches 165°F.
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Use tongs to carefully flip chicken halfway through.
5. Allow Chicken to Rest
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When chicken reaches 165°F, remove pan from oven.
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Tent chicken loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
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The resting time allows juices to redistribute for a juicier finished result.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Broiled Chicken Breasts
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If breasts are large, slice them in half horizontally so they cook evenly.
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Start on low broil setting to prevent burning then increase heat as needed.
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Use a cooking thermometer to monitor temperature and prevent overcooking.
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Add slices of lemon, lime, or orange for a burst of flavor.
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Resist the urge to flip chicken too frequently during broiling.
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Make extra chicken breast for use in salads, sandwiches, pastas, and more all week!
Common Broiled Chicken Breast Questions
Should I marinate chicken before broiling?
Yes, marinating 1-24 hours adds great flavor and moisture. Avoid sugary marinades which may burn.
What if my chicken breasts are thick?
Pound thick breasts to 1⁄2 inch thickness using a meat mallet for even cooking.
What temperature should chicken reach?
Chicken breasts are safe to eat at 165°F but best at 170°F for ideal texture.
How do I prevent chicken from drying out?
Pound to even thickness, brush with oil, and don’t overcook. Let rest before slicing.
Why is my broiled chicken tough?
Overcooking is the #1 culprit. Use a meat thermometer for perfect 170°F doneness.
Can I broil frozen chicken breasts?
Thaw chicken completely first. Frozen chicken takes too long to broil safely.
How do I broil chicken kabobs?
Thread chicken chunks on skewers and broil, flipping once halfway through until done.
Satisfying Broiled Chicken Breast Recipes to Try
Broiled chicken breasts are extremely versatile. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy them:
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Chicken fajitas – Top broiled chicken with sautéed peppers and onions.
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Chicken caesar salad – Slice broiled chicken over romaine lettuce, parmesan, and caesar dressing.
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Chicken sandwiches – Place broiled chicken on rolls with desired toppings.
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Chicken tacos – Warm tortillas, broiled chicken, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro.
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Chicken pasta – Toss broiled chicken with your favorite pasta, olive oil, veggies.
So try broiling chicken breast tonight for a fast weeknight dinner! Follow the tips above for foolproof juicy chicken every time. Get creative with flavors and enjoy chicken in sandwiches, salads, pastas, and more all week long.
Marinate your chicken in yogurt
First, start with a yogurt-based marinade. Hana’s recipe, like tandoori chicken recipes, calls for plain yogurt. The dairy’s natural sugars make the chicken’s outside crispy and almost caramelized, while the yogurt’s gentle tenderizing action makes the inside ridiculously moist.
For 1½ to 2 lb. of preferably boneless, skinless chicken thighs (but you can use wings, or even chicken breast in a pinch) start with ½ cup of plain or greek yogurt. From here, choose your own marinade adventure. You can throw in chili pastes (like gochujang, sambal oelek, or red curry paste) or even go minimal with a squeeze of lemon juice and freshly grated garlic.
Set up your oven
After at least one hour or up to 24 hours of marinating, take your marinated chicken out of the fridge to bring its temperature up just a bit, for at least 20 minutes. Place your oven rack in the top third of the oven and then preheat it to the lowest broil setting. Wrap a big sheet pan in foil all the way around. This will make cleaning up later much easier. Put a wire rack on top of the foil-lined sheet pan and spray it with nonstick cooking spray or brush it with oil. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting any excess marinade drip off before placing the chicken on your oiled wire rack.
How to Broil Chicken – Foundation 513 | food
FAQ
How long should you broil chicken breast?
Broil chicken breasts for a total of 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Start by broiling skin-side up for 6-8 minutes, then flip and broil for another 6-8 minutes.
Do I need to flip chicken when broiling?
Turn the poultry over when brown on one side (usually after half of the total broiling time). Chicken halves and meaty pieces should be turned after 15 minutes. Jan 13, 2025.
Do I cook chicken on bake or broil?
Broiling focuses all of the heat on the surface of the food. If you cook a thicker piece of meat, like a chicken breast, the outside might get brown before the inside is fully cooked. When cooking thicker cuts of meat or a dense casserole like lasagna, we will first opt for baking.
How to broil chicken without burning?
How do you boil chicken breast properly and tenderly?wash raw chicken breasts with water. add it into a pot and pour water and salt. turn on the electric stove with the highest heat. Once It starts to boil, cook on medium-low. wait for 15 to 20 minutes.