25 of Our Best Grilled Chicken Recipes

You Have to Try These Tonight

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/21/22

Chicken is one of the easiest and tastiest meats to prepare on your grill. A brine or seasoned marinade is the key to juicy, flavorful chicken, so read the recipes carefully because many require an hour or more in the refrigerator.

To ensure perfectly grilled chicken, use a reliable instant-read thermometer. The minimum safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 F, and chicken breasts can become dry when cooked beyond that temperature. Dark meat chicken—such as thighs—on the other hand, is more succulent when cooked to an internal temperature of about 180 F.

Our best grilled chicken recipes are jam-packed with flavor, and any one of them will surely be a hit at your next cookout, party, or family dinner. When looking for ways to cook perfect chicken on the grill, look no further than these tasty, creative recipes for BBQ chicken, jerk chicken, grilled chicken Caprese, chicken sandwiches, salads, and more.

  • 01 of 25

    Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    This Jamaican jerk chicken recipe delivers all the island flavor you crave thanks to a super savory jerk paste. Enjoy this summer favorite with rice on the side, or serve it in a wrap with sauteed peppers and onions.

  • 02 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Panini

    Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella Panini Recipe

     The Spruce

    Make this grilled chicken panini for a hearty summer lunch or dinner. Italian dressing, sliced fresh tomato, and mozzarella cheese slices complete this delicious sandwich.

  • 03 of 25

    Crispy Grilled Chicken Breasts

    Crispy Grilled Chicken

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

    We're crazy about this crunchy, tasty recipe for crispy grilled chicken that you can make on the grill or bake in the oven on rainy days. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are prepared with an herb and breadcrumb coating and then grilled. The result is tender, juicy, flavorful chicken breasts with a wonderfully crunchy crust.

  • 04 of 25

    Grilled Buffalo Wings

    Grilled Buffalo Wings on a platter, served with a side of sauce

    The Spruce / Crystal Hughes

    You can't beat these marinated grilled Buffalo chicken wings if you're looking for a summer party or cookout appetizer. Serve these wings with the included homemade blue cheese dipping sauce.

    Continue to 5 of 25 below.
  • 05 of 25

    Balsamic Marinated Chicken Breasts

    Balsamic Marinated Chicken Breasts

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

    Balsamic vinegar, garlic, and a variety of dried herbs provide the flavor for these easy marinated and grilled chicken breasts. Use an outdoor grill, electric grill, stovetop grill pan, or broiler to prepare this simple recipe.

  • 06 of 25

    Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Delicious Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

    We love this recipe for grilled BBQ chicken thighs because it uses the juiciest, most flavorful part of the chicken. The marinated chicken spends some time on the grill, and then it's finished with a super-easy, homemade sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. You won't believe how effortless it is to get so much flavor out of chicken.

  • 07 of 25

    Mediterranean Chicken Salad

    Serving of Mediterranean chicken salad with a side of toasted pita bread
    The Spruce / Anita Schecter.

    Marinated boneless chicken breasts are grilled to perfection to make this fabulous Mediterranean chicken salad recipe. The breasts are sliced on the diagonal, served atop spinach or mixed lettuces, and garnished with tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. The salad is a warm-weather winner that can be made year-round.

  • 08 of 25

    Sesame Ginger Grilled Chicken Breasts

    Sesame-Ginger Grilled Chicken Breasts

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

    Here's a simple, wonderful sesame ginger grilled chicken breast recipe. You'll love the sweet, salty, and aromatic flavors of this sophisticated-tasting dish that's so easy to prepare. Everyone will love these fast and easy marinated grilled chicken breasts.

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  • 09 of 25

    Greek Chicken Kabobs

    Greek Chicken Kabobs

     Anita Schecter

    Bring the bright, fresh flavors of the Mediterranean to your table with this recipe for Greek chicken kabobs. Cubes of boneless chicken marinate in a mixture of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano before being skewered with bell pepper and red onion. Once grilled, the kabobs are served with a homemade tzatziki sauce.

  • 10 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    The Spruce / Ali Redmond

    This satisfying Caesar salad features grilled chicken and romaine hearts, cooked pasta, toasted brioche pieces, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The salad is an excellent option for summer dinners or entertaining.

  • 11 of 25

    Bulgogi Chicken

    Bulgogi Chicken

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    While it's not quite as effortless as ordering takeout barbecue from a Korean restaurant, this backyard replica Bulgogi Chicken makes a convincing stand-in with very little work. Serve it with rice, kimchi, and these spicy Korean cucumber pickles.

  • 12 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

    Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

    Everyone loves chicken quesadillas, and this grilled chicken quesadilla recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You can prepare the components for these quesadillas ahead of time (remember to allow enough time for the chicken to marinate) and then simply assemble and grill them up in 10 minutes when you're ready to eat.

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  • 13 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Salad

    grilled chicken salad

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Here's a delicious way to enjoy grilled chicken salad this summer. This indulgent California grilled chicken salad recipe combines marinated and grilled chicken breasts with lettuces, tomatoes, olives, crisp cooked pancetta or bacon, avocados, and blue cheese for a tasty twist on Cobb salad.

  • 14 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Tikka

    Chicken tikka

    The Spruce

     

    Want to enjoy the rich, complex flavors of Indian take-out, without the cost? We're here to grant your wish, with this effortless and awesomely delicious recipe for grilled chicken tikka.

  • 15 of 25

    Grilled Chicken With Goat Cheese Sauce

    Grilled Chicken With Goat Cheese Sauce
    Diana Rattray 

    Chicken breasts go from weeknight standby to special occasion-ready when you dress them up with a unique, flavorful sauce, as in this grilled chicken with goat cheese sauce. The recipe includes instructions for an elegant (optional) roasted red pepper puree, adding extra color and texture to this already-impressive dish.

  • 16 of 25

    Greek Chicken Souvlaki Gyro Wrap

    Greek Chicken Souvlaki Gyro Wrap

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    These grilled chicken gyros are a great way to enjoy a chicken sandwich this summer. This will be your go-to recipe for marinated, grilled, sliced chicken breasts that you can top with a simple sauce and fold into a warm pita for lunch or dinner.

    Continue to 17 of 25 below.
  • 17 of 25

    Grilled Bone-In Chicken Breasts

    Serve

    ​The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

    It doesn't get much easier than this recipe for grilled chicken breasts. Adding salt to the chicken at least two hours before grilling gives it time to re-absorb its own juices and the added salt, resulting in extra juicy and flavorful chicken that is well-seasoned inside and out.

  • 18 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Banh Mi

    Grilled Chicken Banh Mi

    Leah Maroney

    Take your taste buds on a trip to the streets of Vietnam with this irresistible grilled chicken banh mi. Grill the chicken on an outdoor charcoal or gas grill, or use a stovetop grill pan.

  • 19 of 25

    Grilled Caprese Chicken

    Grilled Caprese Chicken on a platter

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

    Fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese adorn this lemon- and garlic-marinated grilled Caprese chicken. Fresh basil leaves and a simple balsamic reduction bring this colorful and delicious chicken dish to life.

  • 20 of 25

    Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters

    Grilled Chicken Legs

    The Spruce

    If you're looking for a budget-friendly recipe for the grill, these flavorful marinated grilled chicken leg quarters are a perfect choice. Simple and versatile, they'll be perfect served with these grilled Parmesan potatoes and a simple salad.

    Continue to 21 of 25 below.
  • 21 of 25

    Marinated Ginger Chicken for the Grill

    Marinated Ginger Chicken for the Grill

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

    An aromatic marinade flavors these tender, juicy grilled chicken thighs. Garlic, sesame oil and seeds, chili peppers, and a generous amount of ginger root are among the ingredients.

  • 22 of 25

    Yakitori Negima

    Yakitori Negima (Japanese Grilled Chicken and Scallion Skewers) on plates

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

    Yakitori Negima (Japanese grilled chicken skewers) makes a fabulous appetizer or main dish. Serve the tender grilled chicken skewers with the flavorful yakitori sauce.

  • 23 of 25

    Thai Grilled Chicken Salad

    Thai grilled chicken salad

     The Spruce Eats / D.Schmidt

    This colorful grilled chicken salad is loaded with flavor from savory fish sauce, aromatic lemongrass, and fragrant lime leaf. Broil the chicken in the oven or grill it on an outdoor grill.

  • 24 of 25

    Better BBQ Chicken Legs

    grilled bbq chicken legs

    The Spruce

     

    These brined BBQ chicken drumsticks are finished with a perfectly spiced homemade barbecue sauce. Serve the juicy chicken legs as an appetizer or main dish. Add corn on the cob and grilled potatoes for a satisfying summer meal that will please even the pickiest eaters.

    Continue to 25 of 25 below.
  • 25 of 25

    Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings

    Spicy grilled chicken wings recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    A simple combination of pantry spices makes these grilled chicken wings an easy, budget-friendly preparation. Serve these spicy grilled chicken wings with blue cheese dressing and fresh celery and carrot sticks.