39 Best Grilled Chicken Recipes

Huli Huli Chicken

For a grilled chicken recipe that’s simple and delicious, look no further than this huli huli chicken recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to prep, then an overnight marinade locks in those brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce flavors.

This is one of our best chicken recipes.

Favorite Barbecued Chicken

Is there a place better than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? That’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia

Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Butter

This grilled chicken gets a lovely pop of color and flavor from the lime butter—don't skip it! —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Tandoori Spiced Chicken Pita Pizza with Greek Yogurt and Cilantro

My family and I are big picnickers, and I'm always looking for new dishes to try in the great outdoors. The amazing flavors at our favorite Indian restaurant inspired these mini pizzas. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

Kentucky Grilled Chicken

Sure, you’ve heard of Kentucky fried chicken. But this Kentucky grilled chicken is equally delicious. We love that it requires just a handful of common ingredients and a mere five minutes of prep time.

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken

This grilled Greek lemon chicken is so easy to make yet so full of flavor! The lemon and oregano flavors shine in this simple dish. It pairs perfectly with some roasted vegetables or a side salad. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Peanut Butter Chicken Skewers

Peanut butter gets a chance to shine in this simple grilled chicken recipe. We love this dish’s rich, savory flavor that shines on its own or when paired with rice.

Grilled Caesar Chicken Breasts

This grilled chicken recipe may just be the easiest dinner you ever make. A bottle of creamy Caesar salad dressing—plus pantry staples like olive oil, mustard and garlic—transform boneless skinless chicken breasts into a savory, effortless meal.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

For a meal that rivals a restaurant, look no further than this teriyaki grilled chicken recipe. We love that it’s an easy meal for two, and that it takes just 15 minutes to prep. Serve it with your favorite takeout side, like lo mein noodles, fried rice or egg rolls.

Barbecued Chicken Salad Sandwiches

No picnic is complete without this fuss-free barbecued chicken salad. Prep takes just 15 minutes, making this grilled chicken recipe almost as easy as picking up store-bought sammies. Serve ’em with potato chips and fresh fruit.

Chicken Souvlaki Pitas

Go Greek! These chicken souvlaki pitas make for a light, delicious meal that’s perfect for summer. Enjoy this grilled chicken recipe on the patio or as part of a picnic.

Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwiches

Basic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma

Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad

This pretty spinach salad topped with grilled chicken, strawberries and almonds features a delectably sweet poppy seed dressing. Made in moments, the dish is a refreshing lunch or light supper. —Ginger Ellsworth, Caldwell, Idaho

Grilled Glazed Drummies

My family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland

Pit-masters, listen up. You’ll appreciate these other tasty grilling recipes.

Grilled Lemon Chicken

My chicken gets its subtle pucker from lemonade concentrate. So simple, so sweet! —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota

Need more inspiration? Anyone can master these easy grilling recipes.

Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers

This is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I've ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

I created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this tends to release the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

This delicious tastes like summer, as do these warm-weather grilling recipes.

Ramen-Veggie Chicken Salad

Like a salad with plenty of crunch? Then this refreshing recipe is sure to please. Toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping. The chicken makes it a main dish. —Linda Gearhart, Greensboro, North Carolina

Cinnamon Whiskey BBQ Chicken Wraps

Chicken, bacon, cheese and an amazing barbecue sauce make this a family favorite! The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire

Shiitake-Chicken Sliders

My husband and I love Asian cuisine. One of our favorite things to order at a Thai restaurant is chicken satay skewers with spicy peanut sauce. These chicken sliders are a fun variation on the skewers. They're moist and flavorful with the addition of shiitake mushrooms, and topped with the spicy-sweet peanut sauce and tangy cucumber slices. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada

Margarita Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas have never tasted as good as when they are filled with slightly sweet onions and peppers and topped with lime butter and salt. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. This version is the perfect recipe for a summer party—or a fantastic way to bring a little bit of summer into the cold winter months. —Stephanie Bright, Simpsonville, South Carolina

Herbed Balsamic Chicken

Our kitchen is tiny and cramped, so we try to grill simple (but tasty) meals outside as often as possible during the summer months. Dried herbs work as well, but during the summer use fresh herbs for the best taste. —Kelly Evans, Denton, Texas

Chicken Ole Foil Supper

These Tex Mex–style chicken packets can be assembled ahead and frozen if you like. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then grill as directed. I like to serve them with warm tortillas and fresh fruit on the side. —Mary Peck, Salina, Kansas

Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado Sauce

I’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

Tropical Island Chicken

The marinade makes a savory statement in this all-time-favorite chicken recipe that I served at our son's pirate-themed birthday party. It smelled so good on the grill that guests could hardly wait to try a piece! —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee

Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs

When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada

Can-Can Chicken

Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska

Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Drumsticks

Bottled hot sauce isn't my thing, so I developed a fresh pepper glaze for grilled chicken. These drumsticks practically fly off the plate. —Kristeen DeVorss, Farmington, New Mexico

Grilled Cherry-Glazed Chicken Wings

When I take these grilled wings to events, there are never any leftovers! Friends and family love them. —Ashley Gable, Atlanta, Georgia

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine

Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes

Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard Chicken

I came up with this recipe in college and it's been a household staple ever since. It's a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Berry Chicken Salad

Bright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken

I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio

Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa

To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

Rhubarb-Apricot Barbecued Chicken

Springtime brings back memories of the rhubarb that grew beside my childhood home. When I found ruby red stalks in the store, I created this recipe for them. My family gives this a big thumbs up. —Laurie Hudson, Westville, Florida

Caribbean Chicken

You'd be hard-pressed to find a marinade this flavorful at any store! Add or subtract the jalapenos to suit your crew's taste, and you'll be grilling a new family favorite before you know it. — Rusty Collins, Orlando, Florida

Barbecued Picnic Chicken

I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland

Apple Thyme Chicken

Apples and chicken may seem like an unusual combination, but they make a wonderful meal when grilled to perfection. The thyme chicken marinade gives a boost of flavor and tenderizes the meat nicely. —Peter Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas

Grilled Chicken FAQ

How do you grill chicken without drying it out?

Chicken thighs are usually juicier than breasts, which are a leaner cut of the poultry. Chicken breasts are great for reducing fat in your meal, but they can quickly dry out. To help grilled breasts stay juicy, consider brining your chicken before grilling it. Brining is simply placing your raw chicken breast in salt water before grilling it. Marinating your chicken in salad dressings or marinades overnight will also help tenderize them and lock in the moisture.

Is grilled chicken healthy?

Grilled chicken is a healthy option for most people. It is packed with lean protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. This makes it a wonderful swap for fattier meats like steak or pork. A bonus is that grilled chicken pairs with so many other healthy sides like couscous and broccoli, grilled zucchini, crunchy salads and grilled corn on the cob.

What should you serve with grilled chicken?

Grilled chicken is an incredibly versatile dish. Because you’re likely to be grilling during the summer months, try seasonal sides like summer squash casserole or sweet macaroni salad. Lemony pastas or seasoned rice work as a base with nearly any vegetable from the farmers market on the side. If you’re using up leftover grilled chicken, chop it into almond-apricot chicken salad or turn it into a chicken pasta salad.

Homemade iced teas and lemonade make tasty nonalcoholic drink options. Beers like IPAs and amber ales, or rosés and crisp white wines make exceptional alcoholic pairings.