Juicy and Tender: 10 Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipes

Grilling chicken breast is an excellent way to create a delicious and healthy meal that can be enjoyed on any occasion. However, grilling chicken breast can often lead to dry, tough meat if not prepared correctly. The key to juicy and tender grilled chicken is in the marinating, seasoning, and grilling techniques. Here, we will go through ten of the best grilled chicken breast recipes that promise both flavor and tenderness. Prepare your grill as we dive into these mouthwatering recipes!

1. Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Breast

This recipe features a marinade of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs that tenderizes the chicken while imparting a zesty flavor.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/4 cup olive oil

• • Juice of 1 lemon

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tsp dried oregano

• • 1 tsp salt

• • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.

1. 1. Add chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are completely coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).

1. 1. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

2. Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken Breast

This sweet and savory recipe is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of sweetness in their meals. The honey and garlic combination tenderizes the chicken while adding a wonderful flavor.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/4 cup honey

• • 3 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1/4 cup soy sauce

• • 1 tsp ginger, minced

• • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. 1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and olive oil.

1. 1. Place the chicken in the marinade, ensuring it’s fully coated. Marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, basting with the leftover marinade.

1. 1. Remove from grill, let rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

3. Southwestern Spiced Grilled Chicken Breast

This recipe brings the heat and smokiness of the Southwest. The spice rub creates a flavorful crust that locks in moisture.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 2 tsp chili powder

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

• • 1 tsp paprika

• • 1 tsp salt

• • 1 tsp black pepper

• • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. 1. In a small bowl, mix together the spices and olive oil to create a paste.

1. 1. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken breasts.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill the chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

1. 1. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Pair with avocado salsa for a delicious twist!

4. Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Breast

This Asian-inspired recipe features a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze that caramelizes as it grills, resulting in a sticky and flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/4 cup soy sauce

• • 1/4 cup brown sugar

• • 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tsp sesame oil

• • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil to form the marinade.

1. 1. Marinate chicken breasts for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, basting with remaining marinade.

1. 1. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving. Serve with steamed rice or veggies!

5. Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Breast

Bringing the flavors of the Mediterranean to your table, this recipe uses olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese for an explosion of flavor.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

• • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• • 1/4 cup olives, chopped

• • 1 tsp dried oregano

• • 1 tsp garlic powder

• • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, oregano, garlic powder, and lemon juice.

1. 1. Coat the chicken breasts with the yogurt mixture and marinate for at least 1 hour.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through.

1. 1. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. This pairs beautifully with a Greek salad!

6. BBQ Grilled Chicken Breast

No summer cookout is complete without BBQ chicken! This classic recipe uses your favorite barbecue sauce to create a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce

• • 1 tsp garlic powder

• • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, combine barbecue sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

1. 1. Coat the chicken breasts in the sauce and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.

1. 1. Grill the chicken, brushing with additional sauce, for about 7-8 minutes on each side.

1. 1. Remove from grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with coleslaw for a traditional pairing.

7. Spicy Chipotle Grilled Chicken Breast

If you love heat, this chipotle-based marinade will satisfy your spicy cravings while keeping the chicken moist.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced

• • 2 tbsp adobo sauce

• • 1 tbsp olive oil

• • 1 tsp lime juice

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a small bowl, mix chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Rub the mixture onto the chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

1. 1. Let rest, then slice and serve with a fresh salsa for a bright contrast!

8. Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken Breast

This recipe is perfect for cheese lovers. The garlic and parmesan create a rich, creamy flavor that enhances the classic grilled chicken.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• • 2 tbsp olive oil

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, mix parmesan, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Coat the chicken breasts with the garlic parmesan mixture. Marinate for 30 minutes.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

1. 1. Let rest for a few minutes. This dish is wonderful with a side of steamed vegetables!

9. Asian Citrus Grilled Chicken Breast

This refreshing recipe melds citrus flavors with soy sauce, creating a bright, tangy flavor profile that’s both sweet and savory.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/4 cup orange juice

• • 2 tbsp soy sauce

• • 1 tbsp sesame oil

• • 1 clove garlic, minced

• • 1-inch piece ginger, grated

Instructions:

1. 1. Combine orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.

1. 1. Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour, ensuring it’s well-covered.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, basting with leftover marinade.

1. 1. Rest for a few minutes before serving. Pair with a refreshing cucumber salad!

10. Pesto Grilled Chicken Breast

The herbal complexity of pesto elevates grilled chicken to new heights, making it a vibrant option for any meal.

Ingredients:

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/2 cup basil pesto

• • 1 tbsp lemon juice

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Mix pesto, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

1. 1. Coat the chicken breasts in the pesto mixture and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

1. 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

1. 1. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.

1. 1. Let rest, then slice and serve with roasted vegetables for an easy, healthy meal!

Conclusion

Grilled chicken breasts can be remarkably juicy and tender when prepared properly. The key lies in using marinades and spice rubs that infuse flavor while also acting to tenderize the meat. Each of the recipes presented here showcases different flavor profiles to cater to all tastes, from sweet to spicy and everything in between. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, preparing a family dinner, or meal-prepping for the week ahead, these grilled chicken breast recipes are sure to be a hit. So fire up that grill, grab your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy some delicious, juicy chicken!

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