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Best Grilled Chicken

Best Grilled Chicken

The Best Grilled Chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken perfect for summer gatherings. With a simple marinade of olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and spices, this easy-to-follow recipe ensures smoky char marks and bold flavors. Ideal for beginners and versatile enough to customize with various spice blends or sauces, it’s a crowd-pleaser at any outdoor barbecue.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • Chicken pieces (boneless skinless breasts or thighs) – quantity as needed

Marinade

  • Olive oil – 1/4 cup
  • Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary) – 2 tablespoons chopped
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
  • Lemon juice – 2 tablespoons (or vinegar)
  • Salt – 1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Spices (paprika, cumin, or chili powder) – 1 teaspoon total

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, chopped fresh herbs, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and your choice of spices. Whisk everything together until well mixed to create a vibrant marinade that infuses every piece of chicken.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Ensure each piece is fully coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
  3. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. Clean the grates thoroughly and brush them lightly with oil to prevent sticking and to achieve appealing grill marks.
  4. Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side (depending on thickness), until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Avoid moving the chicken too much to get nice sear lines.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This step locks in the juices, resulting in tender, flavorful pieces every time.

Notes

  • Even Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer: Check internal temperature to avoid overcooking.
  • Don’t Skip the Rest: Rest chicken 5 minutes to retain juices and tenderness.
  • Oil the Grill Grates: Lightly brush grates with oil before heating to prevent sticking.
  • Marinate Time: Marinate at least 30 minutes but no more than 4 hours to avoid mushy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, summer recipe, barbecue chicken, easy grilled chicken, juicy chicken, gluten free grilled chicken