Summer grilling is here, and I know you’re looking for delicious, easy chicken recipes. Grilling chicken is a great way to get a quick meal on the table, full of flavor. I’ve gathered five of my favorite grilled chicken recipes that are perfect for weeknights or your next backyard get-together.
You’ll find simple instructions and helpful tips to make your grilling a success, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. Let’s make some tasty grilled chicken!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Zesty Lemon Garlic
- 2. Juicy Grilled Chicken Caprese with Fresh Basil
- 3. Easy Grilled Crack Chicken Foil Packets
- 4. Sticky Grilled Honey Buffalo Chicken Thighs
- 5. Tropical Grilled Mango Pineapple Chicken
Grilled Chicken Breasts with Zesty Lemon Garlic
These chicken breasts are marinated in bright lemon and fresh garlic. They cook up tender and juicy on the grill, making a simple yet satisfying meal.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Lemon Zest: This adds a brighter, more intense lemon flavor than juice alone to your chicken.
- Garlic Paste: Mince your garlic very fine or crush it into a paste for even flavor distribution in the marinade.
- Marinating Time: Let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, for the best taste.
What You Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 lemons (juice and zest)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 35 mins🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, mix the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, making sure they are well coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Step 2: Grill to Perfection
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, place the marinated chicken breasts directly on the grill grates. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 3: Rest and Serve
Remove the grilled chicken from the heat and transfer it to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving whole. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
📝 Final Note
Serve this lemon garlic chicken with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Juicy Grilled Chicken Caprese with Fresh Basil
This recipe brings together grilled chicken with classic Caprese flavors. You’ll top warm chicken with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for a vibrant dish.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Mozzarella: Use fresh mozzarella balls or slices for the best melt and soft texture.
- Ripe Tomatoes: Choose firm, ripe tomatoes for full flavor and good color in your Caprese.
- Balsamic Glaze: A light drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish to the dish.
What You Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze, for serving
⏱️ Time: 40 mins🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Season and Grill Chicken
Lightly coat your chicken breasts with olive oil, then season generously with salt and black pepper. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken on the hot grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 2: Add Toppings
During the last few minutes of grilling, place slices of fresh mozzarella on top of each chicken breast. Close the grill lid for about 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt slightly and become gooey. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
Step 3: Finish and Serve
Remove the chicken from the grill. Top each piece with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. For a final touch, drizzle with balsamic glaze right before serving. This dish looks beautiful and tastes wonderful.
📝 Final Note
This Caprese chicken is best served right away while the cheese is warm and melty. It’s a fresh and light meal!
Easy Grilled Crack Chicken Foil Packets
These foil packets make grilling easy with minimal cleanup. Chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese cook together for a comforting meal everyone will love.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Cream Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into small cubes so it melts evenly throughout the packet.
- Ranch Seasoning: Use a dry ranch seasoning packet for the most powerful and easy flavor in your chicken.
- Heavy Duty Foil: Double wrap your foil packets to prevent any leaks or tearing on the grill.
What You Need
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)
⏱️ Time: 45 mins🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Assemble Packets
Tear off four large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil. In the center of each foil piece, place an equal portion of the diced chicken, cream cheese cubes, ranch seasoning mix, and bacon bits. Make sure ingredients are spread somewhat evenly.
Step 2: Seal and Grill
Carefully fold the foil tightly around the ingredients to create a sealed packet. Ensure all edges are crimped securely to prevent any steam or juices from escaping. Place the sealed packets on a preheated medium grill and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Serve
Carefully open each foil packet (watch out for steam!). Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture. Re-close the packets loosely for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving right from the packets.
📝 Final Note
These easy packets are also great for camping trips. You can prep them ahead of time for simple cooking!
Sticky Grilled Honey Buffalo Chicken Thighs
If you love sweet and spicy, these honey buffalo chicken thighs are for you. They’re sticky, tangy, and have a little kick from the buffalo sauce that you’ll enjoy.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Bone-In, Skin-On Thighs: These types of chicken thighs stay incredibly juicy and flavorful when grilled.
- Honey for Glaze: The honey in the sauce helps create a beautiful sticky, caramelized coating on the chicken.
- Indirect Heat: After a good sear, move the chicken to indirect heat to cook through slowly without burning the sweet sauce.
What You Need
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 50 mins🍽️ Yields: 4-6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, honey, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar until well combined. This is your honey buffalo sauce. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
Step 2: Grill Chicken
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs, skin-side down, on the direct heat. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, until they are nicely browned and have good grill marks. Then, move the chicken to an area of indirect heat on your grill.
Step 3: Finish Cooking
Continue grilling the chicken indirectly, brushing generously with the honey buffalo sauce every 10 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 175°F (80°C), which will take about 25-30 minutes total. Serve immediately with extra sauce.
📝 Final Note
Keep some extra warm honey buffalo sauce on the side for dipping. It’s fantastic with blue cheese dressing too!
Tropical Grilled Mango Pineapple Chicken
This chicken brings a taste of the tropics to your backyard grill. Sweet mango and tangy pineapple make a vibrant, fresh meal that is perfect for summer.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Mango Puree: Use very ripe mangoes for the best natural sweetness and flavor in your marinade.
- Pineapple Juice: This adds both tenderness and a bright, tangy element to the chicken marinade.
- High Heat Sear: Get a good sear on the chicken first on the hot grill to lock in juices and develop great flavor.
What You Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup mango puree
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 40 mins🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mango puree, pineapple juice, soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic. Add the chicken breasts to this marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
Step 2: Grill the Chicken
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off (discard the remaining marinade). Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill grates. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 3: Rest and Enjoy
Once cooked, transfer the grilled chicken to a clean cutting board. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving whole. This step is important to keep the chicken moist and flavorful. Enjoy your tropical chicken!
📝 Final Note
Garnish this grilled chicken with fresh chopped cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of brightness and flavor.
