How to Cook Juicy, Tender Chicken Breasts on the Grill

by

This grilled chicken, made with a flavorful marinade of lemon juice, garlic and seasonings, is one of our all-time favorite grilling recipes. I’m sharing all of my secrets for making the best juicy grilled chicken breast!.

One of the most common meats to grill is chicken breast. When cooked right, chicken breast can be juicy, flavorful, and tasty. However, it’s also easy to overcook and dry out. These easy tips will teach you how to always grill chicken breasts that are juicy and tender.

Prep the Chicken

  • Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are evenly sized. This allows them to cook evenly.
  • Pound thicker breasts with a meat mallet so they are an even thickness.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps it brown better.
  • Season the chicken breasts well. Use salt, pepper and spices or a marinade. Allow at least 30 minutes for flavors to penetrate.

Heat the Grill

  • Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 400-450°F.
  • Make sure the grates are clean. Scrape off debris with a grill brush.
  • Arrange coals or burners for direct and indirect heat zones.

Grill the Chicken

  • Place chicken over direct heat Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until lightly charred

  • Move to indirect heat and grill for 5-7 more minutes until 160°F internal temp

  • Do not grill chicken over 165°F or it will dry out

Rest and Serve

  • Remove chicken from grill and allow to rest 5-10 minutes. Internal temp will rise to 165°F.

  • Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F but still juicy below 175°F.

  • Slice chicken and serve immediately while hot and juicy.

Tips for Juicy Grilled Chicken

  • Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
  • Allow chicken to marinate for added moisture and flavor.
  • Pat chicken dry before grilling to improve browning.
  • Preheat grill properly and scrape grill grates clean.
  • Use direct then indirect heat to prevent overcooking.
  • Grill to just 160°F, then allow carryover cooking during resting.
  • Let chicken rest before slicing for juicier meat.

Common Grilling Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes when grilling chicken breasts:

  • Putting chicken on a dirty grill can cause sticking. Always preheat and clean grill grates.
  • Grilling chicken over high heat the entire time dries it out. Use two-zone grilling.
  • Overcooking chicken above 165°F internal temp makes it dry and rubbery.
  • Cutting into chicken right away doesn’t allow juices to redistribute. Always let it rest.
  • Marinating too briefly doesn’t allow flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
  • Using thick, uneven chicken breasts leads to uneven cooking.

Marinade Ideas for Flavorful Chicken

  • Italian Dressing – quick and easy flavor
  • BBQ Sauce – for charred sweetness
  • Yogurt – tenderizes and moisturizes
  • Lemon Juice – bright, fresh flavor
  • Soy Sauce – umami and saltiness
  • Olive Oil and Herbs – simple and aromatic
  • Teriyaki Sauce – savory and slightly sweet

Experiment with marinade flavors to find new favorites. Allow at least 30 minutes for marinades to penetrate chicken.

Serving Suggestions

Grilled chicken breasts are versatile. Slice them up and serve:

  • In sandwiches or wraps
  • Chopped in salads
  • Diced in pasta or grain bowls
  • On top of pizza
  • In fajitas or tacos
  • Alongside grilled veggies

Season or sauce grilled chicken to complement different cuisine styles. It’s a blank canvas for all your favorite flavors.

With these useful tips, you can grill moist and tender chicken breasts every time. Start with high-quality chicken, properly prep and season it, use direct/indirect heat on the grill, and don’t overcook. Allowing the chicken to rest before slicing is also key. In no time, you’ll be an expert at grilling juicy, flavorful chicken. Grill up a batch for easy weeknight meals or backyard BBQs that everyone will love.

how cook chicken breast on grill

Secrets to the Best Grilled Chicken

  • Use a marinade. Chicken breasts taste better and are easier to cut when they’ve been marinated. This recipe has one of my favorite marinades, and it only takes a few things to make at home.
  • Pound the chicken to an even thickness. Pounding your chicken is an important step for making chicken breasts that are tender and cooked evenly. There are times when chicken breasts at the store are thicker on one side than the other. You should pound them until they are all the same thickness so that they cook the same way. The pounding process also tenderizes the meat. This is crucial!.
  • Clean the grill. For the best grill marks, start with grates that are clean and well-oiled.
  • Grill over moderate heat. This ensures that your chicken won’t burn or dry out.
  • Use an instant read thermometer. Do not cook your chicken too long on the grill. Doing so will make it dry. Measure the temperature of the chicken inside with an instant read thermometer. This is the best way to know when the chicken is done.
  • After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting it up or serving it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. It’s not a good idea to cut the chicken right after it comes off the grill because the juices will spread out on the cutting board.

how cook chicken breast on grill

This grilled chicken recipe uses a simplified version of my most-loved Chicken Marinade. Here’s what you’ll need for the marinade:

  • Lemon Juice: The lemon juice gives the chicken a bright, fresh taste and makes it more tender. You can make the marinade taste more like lemons by adding the zest of two lemons. You shouldn’t let chicken sit in lemon juice for more than two hours, or the acid will start to make the chicken tough. I think you should marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes and no more than 2 hours.
  • Olive Oil: An important part of a good marinade is olive oil, which helps the flavors of the marinade get into the chicken and keeps the meat moist. It also balances out the sour lemon juice, making sure your grilled chicken is just the right amount of tender and juicy.
  • Garlic: You can’t beat the flavor of fresh garlic!
  • Dried Oregano: Italian seasoning also works great here.
  • Chili powder makes the marinade taste better, but it doesn’t make the chicken spicy.
  • Salt and Pepper: For flavor.

You can season the chicken to your tastes by adding other herbs that you enjoy, fresh or dried, to your marinade. Or try some Dijon mustard for extra flavor. This Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken recipe is another one of my favorites!.

how cook chicken breast on grill

This is it. The very best grilled chicken.

I’m so excited that grilling season is here! There’s nothing I love more than putting dinner on the grill and having a drink outside while the kids play in the yard. These long summer days are glorious!.

This grilled chicken is our current grilling obsession. It’s just so good! The marinade is so simple and it gives the chicken such incredible flavor. And if you’re like me and sometimes forget to plan ahead, you’ll be happy to know that even just a 30 minute soak in the marinade is enough to tenderize and flavor the meat.

I was determined to make a grilled chicken recipe that always makes juicy, tender chicken after having to deal with dry, tough chicken in the past. This is that recipe. And I’m sharing all of my secrets to making the best grilled chicken breast you’ve ever eaten. Let’s do this!.

The Best Grilled Chicken Breast | SAM THE COOKING GUY 4K

FAQ

How long do you cook a chicken breast on the grill?

To grill boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you should cook them for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. It’s recommended to use a medium-high heat (around 400°F) on the grill.

Is it better to grill chicken at 350 or 400?

For grilling chicken, it’s generally better to use a medium-high heat, which translates to a temperature range of 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). For a good sear on the outside, this range makes sure the chicken cooks all the way through to 165°F (74°C), which is a safe temperature.

How to grill a chicken breast without drying it out?

How do you grill chicken breasts without drying it out The key is to cook on direct heat (over flame) for the first 8-10 minutes (flipping halfway), but then switch to indirect heat for the last 5-7 minutes.

How do you grill boneless skinless chicken breast?

Preheat grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grate. Place chicken breasts, smooth-side down on preheated grill; cook, covered, until no longer pink and juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Leave a Comment