This easy grilled chicken is seasoned with garlic, onion powder and smoked paprika then finished with a squeeze of lime for tender, juicy and flavorful results every time. This grilled chicken breast recipe will be your new favorite reason to fire up the grill this season.
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Easy Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled chicken is one of my favorite things to make during the summer. We make oven baked chicken in the colder months, but there’s just something about how juicy and tender the meat gets on the grill, with a delicious charred flavor.
It’s super simple to whip up this grilling recipe and it can be cooked in unison with grilled vegetables, vegetable skewers or grilled corn to make an easy, no-fuss meal.
Then use leftovers to throw on a spinach berry salad, make a buffalo chicken wrap or to bulk up a caprese pasta salad. There are so many different ways to use grilled chicken…you’ll never get bored!
Recipe Ingredients
Grilling chicken breast is quick and easy! All you need is chicken, oil, a few simple spices and your grill. I love when recipes have little to no clean up involved.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chicken: You will need four boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Ideally, they should be about the same size for even cooking time while grilling.
- Olive oil: I always use olive oil but any oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed or soybean work.
- Spices: For flavor I like to use smoked paprika and chili powder or ground cumin.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt and pepper.
- For serving: Fresh lime slices or lemon slices and chopped cilantro.
Seasoning and Marinade Variations
When seasoning the meat, I like to keep it simple and use a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, olive oil and some smoked paprika. If you’re not a fan of heat, you can omit the paprika. This blend gives the chicken the perfect easy boost with tons of flavor, while still letting the natural juices shine through.
If you’re looking for a marinade with a bolder flavor, try using my famous chicken marinade, Greek chicken marinade or for something tropical try huli huli chicken.
If you have time, marinate your meat about 2 hours before grilling. I like to place the chicken in a zip top bag and pour the marinade on top. The flavors infuse a bit more and taste extra delicious!
How to Grill Chicken
The best grilled chicken breast is fast and easy to prepare. It can be on the table in less than 30 minutes!
- Prepare chicken breasts. Trim chicken breasts then pat down with a paper towel, if needed. Using a meat mallet, pound each piece of chicken into an even thickness. Rub olive oil evenly over top.
- Season chicken. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, paprika and chili powder. Rub evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Grill the chicken. Place breasts on hot grill and grill covered 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until the center is no longer pink and internal temp from a meat thermometer reads 160ºF to 165°F.
- Rest and serve. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. I often tent with foil or cover with another pan. Serve with freshly squeezed lime juice or lemon juice and fresh herbs like chopped cilantro.
How Long to Grill Chicken
It may vary how long to grill chicken breasts depending on the heat of your grill and the thickness of your breasts. In general your chicken will take 4-6 minutes per side when grilled over medium-heat with the grill covered closed.
To check for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. The internal temperature should register 165°F. As the chicken rests, it will continue to rise a few degrees so I usually take it off a few degrees early to ensure juicy chicken breasts.
Tips for the Best Grilled Chicken Breast
- Clean your grill. Start with clean and oiled grill plates, so that the meat doesn’t stick to the grill when cooking.
- Bring chicken to room temperature. I like to set out my chicken breasts 15 minutes prior to grilling. It helps promote even grilling and fewer juices leak out and evaporate during the cooking process.
- Flipping. Don’t flip the chicken until about 4 to 6 minutes have passed. That’s how you achieve those beautiful grill marks.
- Sauce at the end. Brush with some tangy homemade barbecue sauce near the end of grilling time.
- Meat thermometer. Use a meat thermometer to easily check the temperature while grilling. I like to remove my chicken from the grill when it’s about 160ºF. After it rests for a few minutes, the temperature usually rises up to 165ºF.
- Let rest. Make sure to let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes! If you don’t, the juices will all run out.
Serving Suggestions
Pretty much anything tastes great alongside grilled chicken. You could even make extra grilled chicken and store it for meal prep later in the week. Below are a few of our favorites side dishes.
- For a BBQ: If you are planning a BBQ or cookout, here are a few taste sides including loaded potato salad, sliced watermelon or homemade mac and cheese.
- With a salad: Make a simple grilled chicken salad with this chopped salad or Greek salad. It’s also great with a side of this southwest quinoa salad.
- Hearty side: Try these roasted potatoes and carrots or sheet pan gnocchi.
- Go-to grilled vegetables: Grill sweet potatoes or make grilled asparagus at the same time as your chicken for an easy meal!
FAQs
If you want super tender grilled chicken, don’t skip this step! The trick to tender chicken breasts is to pound the breasts with a meat tenderizer. It helps to soften the muscle fibers in the meat, creating an amazingly juicy and tender result. It also evens out the thickness of the breast, making it easier to evenly cook.
Another key trick is to make sure to let your meat rest for a few minutes after removing from the grill. If you slice it right away, the juices will immediately run out. Letting it rest keeps the juices inside so that it’s super moist and delicious.
Yes, boneless and skinless chicken thighs will work best. Follow the instructions in the recipe card but extend the grilling time to about 7-8 minutes per side. Just like with breasts, the internal temperature of your digital meat thermometer should be 165°F when they are cooked through.
If the weather isn’t great for grilling, you can bake the breasts as well. Place seasoned chicken breasts in a prepared 9×13 baking dish and bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes. Rest and then enjoy.
Don’t try to flip it too early! It’s an easy mistake to make as most people want to be cautious that they aren’t overcooking their chicken, but if you wait until the chicken releases itself from the grill grates it will not only have beautiful char marks you won’t end up with any bits stuck to the grill.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days.
Freeze: To freeze, make sure it has cooled completely. Do not slice the chicken, it should be whole when freezing. If freezing more than one piece, wrap each individually in plastic wrap so that they don’t stick together. Then place in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm in the microwave or in a pan on the stove (or enjoy cold if you prefer).
Love grilling recipes in the summertime? Try this recipe for turkey burgers, steak marinade or grilled salmon, next!
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
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Grilled Chicken Breast
Video
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder , or cumin (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika , optional
- freshly ground black pepper , to taste
For serving: Limes and chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Make sure your meat is thawed and set out at room temperature 15 minutes before cooking.
- Trim chicken breasts. Pat down with paper towels, if needed. Using a meat tenderizer, pound each piece of chicken into an even thickness. Rub olive oil evenly over top.
- In a small bowl, stir together the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, paprika and chili powder. Rub evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Grill chicken 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until the center is no longer pink and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 160ºF to 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with freshly squeezed lime and chopped cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Clean your grill. Start with clean and oiled grill plates, so that the meat doesn’t stick to the grill when cooking.
- Flipping. Don’t flip the chicken until about 4 to 6 minutes have passed. That’s how you achieve those beautiful charred grilled marks.
- Meat thermometer. Use a meat thermometer to easily check the temperature while grilling. I like to remove my chicken from the grill when it’s about 160ºF. After it rests for a few minutes, the temperature usually rises up to 165ºF.
- Let rest. Make sure to let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes! If you don’t, the juices will all run out.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, 4th of July, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Chicken, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Grilling, Grilling, Low Carb
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My whole family lovers this recipe and the want me to make it again.
This is hands-down the best grilled chicken recipe! My husband and I love this and it is so versatile. I love to make a big batch and freeze it and use as needed for salads.
Just got done eating this chicken – it was DELICIOUS and so easy, had everything on hand and no long marinating needed. Will definitely save this one. Thanks!!!
This chicken is perfect!! It has great flavor & would be great for so many recipes!! I like to make quite a bit, then freeze it. It makes my life so much easier!
Grilled chicken is my absolute favorite in the summertime and this recipe was perfection! Thank you so much.
I just made this recipe it was very good made it on the stove
I followed this recipe and the grilled chicken turned out so juicy and tasty! You’re the best and we love your recipes at home too.
I love how quick and easy this is to make!! Thanks for the recipe!
This is so amazing and so delicious! My family and I love this juicy and tender chicken! Perfect for easy dinner nights and so tasty. I’ll definitely be making this recipe again!
This is so easy to make and delicious! I’m going to make this for sure, just perfect specially for those busy nights!
This was definitely easy and made the perfect dinner for a busy night! I’ll be making this again very soon!
I love to grill in the summer and this is right up my alley! Looking forward to giving this a try tonight! Yum!
Great tutorial for perfect results!
I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
This looks fantastic! Grilled chicken is also a summer favorite in my family, so I’m looking forward to trying this
Your grilled chicken looks perfect. I love easy grilling recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights. Thank you for sharing.