Irresistible Healthy Grilled Chicken Recipes for a Flavorful Summer

Grilled chicken is a versatile, healthy, and delicious option for any meal, particularly during the warmer months. Lower in fat and calories than many other meats, chicken offers a rich source of protein. When combined with nutritious ingredients and cooked properly on the grill, it becomes an even more appealing choice. From simple marinades to creative flavor combinations, there are countless ways to prepare grilled chicken that will satisfy your taste buds and keep you feeling good.

Essential Grilling Tips for Chicken

Before diving into specific recipes, it's important to cover some fundamental grilling techniques that apply to almost any grilled chicken dish. Following these tips will ensure that your chicken is cooked safely, tastes great, and has a pleasant texture.

1. Clean the Grill: Always start with clean grill grates to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Remove any residue from previous meals.
2. Don't Rush the Flip: If the chicken sticks to the grill when you try to flip it, allow it to cook a bit longer on that side. It should release easily when it's ready.
3. Marinade or Spice Rub: A good marinade not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the meat. If you're short on time, a quality spice rub can be equally effective.
4. Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat; it should register 165°F (74°C).
5. Pat the Chicken Dry: For crispier skin, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before placing it on the grill.
6. Utilize Tongs: Use tongs to flip the chicken and remove it from the grill to avoid piercing the meat and losing juices.
7. Let the Chicken Rest: Never cut into the chicken immediately after removing it from the grill. Allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes to let the juices redistribute, resulting in a more succulent and flavorful product.

Marinades and Seasonings

The Power of Marinades

A marinade is a liquid mixture, usually acidic, used to soak foods in order to flavor and tenderize them. Marinades typically contain oil, acid (such as vinegar or citrus juice), and herbs and spices.

Spice Rubs: A Quick Flavor Boost

Spice rubs are dry mixtures of herbs and spices that are applied to the surface of the meat before grilling. They offer a convenient way to add flavor, especially when time is limited.

Grilled Chicken Recipes to Try

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

This recipe features a zesty marinade made with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. It's quick to prepare and perfect for summer meals.

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Ingredients:

• 2/3 bunch fresh cilantro
• Zest of 1 lime
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Instructions:

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth.
2. Add chicken to a large freezer-safe sealable bag, followed by the marinade. Press out the air and seal tightly.
3. Gently press the marinade around the chicken to coat well.
4. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
5. Brush the grill with oil and heat over medium-high heat.
6. Grill the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Grilled Lime Chicken

Infused with fresh flavors of lime, garlic, and dill, this simple grilled chicken recipe takes only a couple of minutes to prep before it’s ready to toss on the grill. A wonderful citrusy marinade makes this grilled lime chicken tangy and tasty. A few hours before dinner, simply marinate the chicken for a fuss-free meal later on.

Apple Thyme Chicken

Fire up the grill for sweet and savory grilled chicken and apple slices! Before serving, spoon the apple and thyme sauce over the top, adding a touch of sweetness to finish the dish. Apples and chicken may seem like an unusual combination, but they make a wonderful meal when grilled to perfection.

Grilled Lemon Chicken

Lemon and chicken pair so well together. Lemon juice and zest, plus a few herbs, add just the right amount of fresh flavor to this grilled chicken. There’s one word to describe this grilled lemon chicken recipe: “Yum!” It’s so easy to prepare ahead of time, then fire up the grill when we get home from church on Sunday. Guests love the citrus flavor!

Spicy Peanut Chicken Kabobs

The creamy marinade infuses a tangy, sweet-and-spicy peanut butter flavor into each bite of chicken. A little sweet, a little sour, and a whole lot of flavor! These kabobs make a wonderful accompaniment to any party or get-together.

Chicken Satay

This recipe for chicken satay includes a turmeric-rich marinade and a lime-spiked peanut dipping sauce. This golden chicken satay recipe is marinated and grilled, then served with a zesty Thai-style peanut butter sauce.

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Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

This teriyaki marinade is so simple-it uses four ingredients and can be whisked together in minutes. This dish is so tasty that my husband insists it could be served in a restaurant.

Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes

Blending tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and oil together makes the most delicious marinade to infuse the chicken with fresh flavors and doubles as a sauce to finish the dish. 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.

Spinach and Mushroom Smothered Chicken

Sauteed mushrooms, wilted spinach and melty provolone cheese make this smothered chicken dinner the picture of comfort. Chicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s extra special to serve but is not tricky to make.

Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwiches

Grill or broil this seasoned chicken breast for a zesty chicken sandwich you can enjoy any time of year. Basic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It’s a great meal for summer days.

Grilled Pineapple Chicken

This fresh pineapple juice marinade gives this healthy grilled chicken recipe a tropical spin. A trip to Hawaii is easy with this juicy grilled pineapple chicken. Simply give it a quick marinade, fire up the grill and let it sizzle. We love this low-carb recipe!

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Chicken with Berry Wine Sauce

Fresh raspberries and strawberries are boiled with merlot and sugar to create a sweet, rich sauce that adds the most amazing flavor to this lightly seasoned grilled chicken. We like to use Little Red Dress brand merlot in this chicken recipe to bring out the flavor of the berries.

Tapenade-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This stuffed chicken is an olive lover’s dream! I created this recipe for my husband, who absolutely loves olives. I usually make a larger batch of the olive tapenade and serve it with bread or crackers as a snack or appetizer.

Grilled Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

This simple marinade is a blank canvas for whatever herbs are handy. We love the recipe with rosemary, but feel free to substitute anything from your kitchen herb garden. Broiled or grilled, this simple chicken recipe has been a favorite for years. Try it with your favorite herbs.

Herbed Balsamic Chicken

This dinner is proof that simple ingredients can create the most flavorful outcomes. Intensely flavorful balsamic vinegar is brightened up with lemon zest and fresh herbs and balanced out by extra virgin olive oil. 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.

Grilled Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

Pasta salad goes from a side dish to a filling entree with the addition of grilled chicken. This cool noodle salad makes a great casual one-bowl dinner or a perfect dish for a potluck or buffet.

Chicken Skewers

For a barbecue appetizer or summer weeknight meal, assemble these skewers with chunks of chicken breast, garden-fresh zucchini, onions and tomatoes. Chicken skewers with tender chunks of chicken and garden-fresh veggies are easy to assemble and are always a hit at parties.

Margherita Chicken

When you’re ready to make a restaurant-quality meal at home, this is the recipe you need. The quick marinade infuses the chicken with the most delicious balsamic flavor. I’ve been making this dish for years, and when I saw the same dish on the menu at Olive Garden, I knew I had a winner. Fresh basil gets all the respect in this super supper-even forks will stand at attention when it hits the table.

Chicken with Citrus Chimichurri Sauce

This citrus chimichurri sauce is the perfect combination of earthy and bright, with layers of citrus, herbs and garlic blended together. Chimichurri is a green sauce from South America that goes with grilled meats. My citrus version brightens up grilled chicken, which gets its juiciness from brining.

Bruschetta Chicken Wraps

Turn your favorite appetizer into a filling lunch or dinner by combining the flavors of bruschetta with freshly grilled chicken. As an Italian American, I love, love, love garlic, tomatoes and basil, all of which are musts for good bruschetta. This recipe was created in celebration of the first tomatoes to come out of our home garden this year.

Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs

Head to the spice cupboard for this recipe! With an ingredients list including garlic powder, paprika and chili powder, you likely have everything you need for this flavorful spice-rubbed chicken. For our must-have meal, we roast chicken using bone-in, skin-on thighs. This version without skin and bones has a zesty rub of turmeric, paprika and chili powder.

Tropical Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls

These pineapple and chicken rice bowls cut the carbs by using riced cauliflower instead of traditional rice. This tropical favorite is a delicious and healthy dinner with tons of flavor! You can substitute regular rice for the cauliflower rice if desired.

Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa

This grilled chicken packs in all the flavors of summer. This super fresh dinner is pure summer-juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead.

Chicken Souvlaki

This healthy Mediterranean dinner takes 30 minutes and is infused with the most wonderful fresh lemon and herb flavors. This is a favorite at our house, especially in summer. A quick trip to the market for a few ingredients results in gourmet-style Greek sandwiches that we often enjoy outdoors by the grill. Of course, a simple Greek salad on the side is a nice addition.

Orange Apricot Couscous Chicken

Fluffy couscous and cool, creamy yogurt sauce make these orange-infused chicken kabobs a complete meal. I love all the bright flavors in this recipe. The orange juice, curry powder, feta and mint really jazz up the rest of the ingredients! Once the ingredients are assembled, this recipe comes together in no time. Large cubed peaches or nectarines can be used instead of apricots.

Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard Chicken

Dijon mustard, brown sugar and a couple of seasonings are all you need to turn plain chicken thighs into a delicious meal. 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.

Simple Grilled Chicken Breast

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.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder or ground cumin
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Lime wedges, for serving
• Chopped cilantro, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Trim chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towels. Pound each piece of chicken to an even thickness using a meat tenderizer.
3. Rub olive oil evenly over the chicken.
4. In a small bowl, stir together salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Rub evenly over both sides of the chicken.
5. Grill chicken for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the center is no longer pink and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 160ºF to 165°F.
6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
7. Serve with freshly squeezed lime and chopped cilantro, if desired.

Grilled Chicken with Olive Oil, Soy Sauce, and Garlic

This grilled chicken breast is substantial and filling, and my entire family enjoys it. This easy recipe's simple marinade of olive oil, soy sauce, and garlic greatly enhances the chicken's flavor. The freshly grilled chicken is delicious, and the cold leftovers are perfect in salads.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil (or avocado oil or melted ghee)
• Reduced-sodium soy sauce
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• 8-ounce chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. Cut shallow slits across the top of each chicken breast.
2. Combine the olive oil, soy sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Heat your grill on medium-high heat and lightly grease it.
4. Grill the chicken until it is cooked through and no longer pink, flipping it midway through cooking.
5. Coat the chicken with the unused portion of the marinade using a clean pastry brush.

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken

This grilled chicken, made with a flavorful marinade of lemon juice, garlic and seasonings, is one of our all-time favorite grilling recipes.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic, minced
• Oregano
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
2. Place the chicken breasts in a zip-top plastic bag and pound them using a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are an even thickness, about ½-inch thick.
3. Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken, seal the bag, and place it in a baking dish (in case of leaks). Turn the bag to coat all parts of the chicken.
4. Place chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
5. Clean the grates of a gas or charcoal grill (or use an indoor grill pan). Oil the grill grates and heat the grill to medium high (375-450 degrees F).
6. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard extra marinade. Grill chicken for 5-8 minutes per side, until cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F.

Easy and Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast

This Grilled Chicken is the best recipe for tender juicy BBQ chicken! It makes cooking chicken breasts or thighs easier than ever, and the flavorful marinade keeps the meat extra tender and juicy.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Himalayan pink sea salt or kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Garlic powder or minced garlic
• Dried Italian seasoning
• Dijon mustard
• Coconut aminos (or tamari or soy sauce)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients to a resealable plastic bag or container with the chicken. Close the bag and gently massage to coat chicken pieces evenly.
3. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
5. Grill marinated chicken for 6-8 minutes per side (depending on the thickness of your chicken), or until no longer pink inside or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees.
6. Use tongs to remove chicken and transfer to a platter to rest. Cover with an aluminum foil tent. Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Grilled Thin Chicken Cutlets

These grilled chicken breasts are perfectly charred and delicious. They’re an easy healthy, low-fat, high protein meal. And so versatile to make ahead for meal prep! Add them to salads or bowls, sandwiches, or as a main with vegetables and a grain. The grilling process gives the chicken a slightly smoky taste that’s undeniably delicious.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Dried herbs
• Red wine vinegar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl or dish, combine olive oil, garlic, dried herbs, and vinegar. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper, then add them to the marinade.
2. Marinate in an airtight container in the fridge at least 20 minutes, but preferably up to 2 hours for better flavor.
3. Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
4. Slice the chicken breast horizontally into 2 or 3 even pieces, depending on thickness.
5. Grilling time depends on the thickness of the chicken. For thin-sliced chicken breasts or cutlets, grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side over medium-high heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast with Lemon Zest

My technique and marinade ensure tender, juicy, and flavorful grilled chicken every time. You can serve the fillets on their own as a healthy main course (kids love them), topped with cheese on a toasted bun, or, as I often do, sliced over a Caesar salad.

Ingredients:

• Lemon zest
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Dried herbs
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in a 1-gallon freezer bag and pound to an even ½-inch thickness. This both tenderizes the meat and ensures even cooking.
2. Mix all of the ingredients except for the chicken together in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag
3. Add the chicken breasts to the bag and massage the marinade into the meat until evenly coated.
4. Preheat the grill to high heat and oil the grates.
5. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not overcook.
6. After removing the chicken from the grill, let it rest for 3 to 4 minutes before cutting into it. This will help keep the juices in and retain the meat’s moisture.

Serving Suggestions

Grilled chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few ideas:

• Salads: Serve grilled chicken over a chopped salad, Greek salad, or Cobb salad.
• Pasta: Pair grilled chicken with pasta salad or zoodles.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Use grilled chicken in sandwiches, wraps, or pita pockets.
• Vegetables: Serve grilled chicken with roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.
• Rice: Pair grilled chicken with coconut rice or cauliflower rice.

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