I grill chicken from the moment the weather eases up enough to make it bearable to be outside until the first frost. Even the most basic grilled chicken recipe can taste so good because of the smoky flavor the grill imparts.
That said, a great marinade goes really far in taking a basic grilled chicken recipe from good to absolutely irresistible and dinner party-worthy. From a warmly-spiced jerk chicken marinade to a super savory, sticky lemongrass grilled chicken to a really classic BBQ grilled chicken recipe that’ll be the hit of every single cookout or backyard barbecue you throw this summer, with these recipes in your pocket, you never need to settle for boring grilled chicken ever again.
Grilled Chicken
This is the go-to! A simple marinade of herbs, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and brown sugar works flavor-giving magic on even just basic chicken breasts.
Spatchcocked Grilled Chicken
A whole grilled chicken is always impressive, and this one is easy, too! It has a ton of 5-star reviews, and one even said that it was “the best chicken I have ever made.” Casual dinner party mains do not get better than this.
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Use homemade BBQ sauce (I’m partial to my own recipe, but up to you) or store bought for a really easy, delicious BBQ chicken recipe that you’ll be happy to dig in to all summer long.
Grilled Chicken Thighs
You can marinate thighs in this simple spice mixture for up to 12 hours in the fridge before throwing them on the grill, so it’s a terrific one for meal prepping.
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken
This recipe begins with you rubbing a gorgeous paste of fresh ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and honey all over a whole chicken. It imparts incredible floral, savory, rich flavors, then you’ll finish the chicken with a satisfyingly sticky brown sugar-sriracha sauce.
Grilled Jerk Chicken Kebabs
A not-too-spicy jerk marinade makes this grilled chicken sing with deliciousness! I love to skewer it with pieces of pepper and pineapple for lots of juicy sweetness between smoky, meaty bites of grilled chicken.
Greek Grilled Chicken with Salad
The key to any chicken marinade is acid, which tenderizes the meat and lets flavor seep into the meat. This yogurt-based marinade is gentle (lactic acid is gentler than lemon juice or vinegar) and makes the chicken so, so juicy and moist.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Who doesn’t love teriyaki?! That sweetly savory sauce and juicy grilled chicken is so simple and so good. Marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce for up to 24 hours, or just dip the chicken in the teriyaki sauce and grill it up right away.
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Spicy, zesty, saucy and sticky-in-the-good-way, these grilled chicken wings are kind of bananas. I went hard when I developed this recipe, and you can taste it.
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Kebab
I am a big shawarma fanatic, and although I don’t have a vertical rotisserie at home, I created this approximation for the grill! Marinated in delicious spices and then grilled to perfection, this chicken shawarma kebab recipe is a mega-crowd pleaser.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Marinades to all the lifting here! You’ll even marinate tomatoes to pile on top of the grilled chicken, along with a host of other yummy toppings for a truly over-the-top chicken sandwich that’ll have you craving more the second you finish it!
Grilled Curry Chicken Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
I think this might be the perfect hot day dinner. Succulent curried chicken breasts, grilled to tender, juicy perfection, piled on a bed of greens along with goat cheese, pickled onions, fresh herbs, tangy vinaigrette, and fresh mango slices? I mean, YUM.
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken with Peach Salad
Do not miss this homemade honey mustard marinade. It has grainy mustard, lots of honey, curry, garlic and lemon and it’s an easy hit with crowds. I like to use chicken thighs with it, because the rich meat stands up to all those bold flavors.
Grilled Chicken with Blistered Green Bean Salad
Grilled chicken thighs are hard to mess up, and especially when you let them marinate in this marinade. Made with fresh lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and chili sauce, it’s loaded with flavor and doubles as a dressing for the blistered green bean salad on the side.
Easy Harissa Chicken
I loooove harissa and it isn’t that hard to make it at home. Once I mastered the spice paste, I knew I wanted to use it as a chicken marinade. Smoky harissa, plus some time on the grill, will make any cut of chicken taste so good.
Peanut Sauce-Marinated Chicken Skewers
Put down the take out menu! You can make the Thai peanut sauce satay skewers you love at home so easily! They’ll be healthier and ready faster than your favorite restaurant could whip up.
Grilled Chicken Quesadilla
Ok this one isn’t JUST chicken. First you grill the chicken, then you’ll pile it into quesadillas and grill THEM. Serve with homemade jalapeño ranch dressing and prepare for rave dinner reviews.
