Our 25 Greatest Grilled Chicken Recipes

Explore the many delicious ways to prepare this dinnertime favorite on the grill.

Grilled Chicken-and-Eggplant "Caprese"
Photo: Linda Xiao

Why do we love grilling chicken? It's fast, the results are flavorful, and the process gets us outdoors at the end of a long day. Sometimes, we marinate this protein; other times, we brush on a sauce just before the bird is finished cooking. Whichever route you take, you're guaranteed a delicious dinner.

You'll also want to think about the cut of chicken you intend to use. Breasts are delicious grilled, but so are other cuts—don't overlook them. We're particular fans of the chicken thigh, which is an economical choice for a big crowd. And who doesn't love the wings? They make for a delicious start to a barbecue feast. Going piecemeal isn't your only option, though—you shouldn't be afraid to cook a whole chicken on the grill. However you want to cook it, we have the grilled chicken recipe your summer dinner rotation is missing.

01 of 25

Barbecue Chicken

test kitchens favorite grilled chicken
Armando Rafael

Chicken pieces are brushed with a quick homemade BBQ sauce toward the end of cooking, then slathered with more sauce for serving. Even better—you can make the sauce ahead.

02 of 25

Garlic-Marinated Chicken Cutlets With Grilled Potatoes

Garlic-Marinated Chicken Cutlets with Grilled Potatoes

Chicken cutlets (and plenty of them) get a thyme-infused marinade before they take a turn on the grill. We also grill the potatoes for this flavorful grilled chicken dinner that's served with asparagus.

03 of 25

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

Grilled chicken cutlets, together with bacon, Romaine, feta, tomatoes, and avocado, make a wonderfully satisfying meal.

04 of 25

Grilled Chicken and Eggplant With Mozzarella and Tomatoes

Grilled Chicken-and-Eggplant "Caprese"
Linda Xiao

Inspired by the ever-popular Caprese salad, this grilled chicken breast dinner stars tomatoes and mozzarella as well as grilled eggplant, olives, and parsley—and it's a winner.

05 of 25

Grilled Tuscan Chicken With Rosemary and Lemon

Grilled Tuscan Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon

Marinate chicken pieces in our three-ingredient marinade for as little as 15 minutes or as long as overnight for a lemony, herbal entrée that will transport you to Tuscany.

06 of 25

Grilled Chicken Thighs With Charred Corn and Summer Squash

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn and Summer Squash
Con Poulos

Boneless chicken thighs star in this summery dinner. After a quick turn on the grill, the thighs are tossed with a minty lemon dressing. Set them aside and char some corn and zucchini—then lay the chicken on top of the vegetables. The sauce from the chicken will bring everything together on the platter.

07 of 25

Teriyaki-Glazed Grilled Chicken

Teriyaki-Glazed Grilled Chicken
Kate Sears

A tangy homemade hoisin-teriyaki glaze goes on in the last few minutes of cooking to elevate these grilled chicken breasts to superstar dinner status.

08 of 25

Grilled Spatchcock Chicken With Dijon and Rosemary

grilled spatchcock chicken with dijon and rosemary
Linda Xiao

The best and easiest way to grill a whole chicken is to spatchcock it. Removing the backbone allows you to flatten the bird which makes for more even cooking; as a bonus, it'll cook quicker, too!

09 of 25

Grilled Chicken Breasts With BBQ Sauce

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It doesn't get much simpler than this straightforward recipe. It's a classic that you'll return to again and again.

10 of 25

Saffron Chicken Kebabs

saffron chicken kebabs
Ryan Liebe

Served atop lavash with flame-kissed onions and tomatoes, fresh radishes and mint, and a spicy herbed yogurt sauce, these golden-hued chicken breast kebabs make a marvelous meal.

11 of 25

Grilled Chicken Breasts With Lemon-Thyme Sauce

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon-Thyme Sauce
Kate Sears

Using our favorite technique again here, we pound the boneless, skinless chicken breasts for grilling so they cook evenly. Once they're off the grill, we pour over the zesty lemon-herb sauce. Dinner is served!

12 of 25

Simple Salt-and-Pepper Grilled Chicken

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Combine salt and pepper into a rub, then coat the chicken with it. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and grill. That's it!

13 of 25

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Tenders With Dipping Sauces

Chicken on kebabs with dipping sauces and vegetables

David Malosh

A buttermilk brine keeps these chicken skewers nice and moist, and an array of dipping sauces keeps things interesting.

14 of 25

Smoky Bell-Pepper Pesto on Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

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A delicious spread made from bell peppers, chipotle pepper, garlic, almonds, and oregano goes beautifully with the charred taste of grilled chicken in these tasty sandwiches.

15 of 25

Chicken, Tomato and Bread Cubes With Lemon-Oregano Marinade

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Andrew Purcell

Here's another great skewer recipe you'll make on repeat come summer. Grilled chicken, grilled tomatoes, and grilled bread are great on their own or served over a salad.

16 of 25

Grilled Marinated Chicken Thighs

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Marcus Nilsson

What's different about this recipe? The chicken is marinated in a simple mix of herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil after it's grilled. The chicken thighs can be served on their own, sandwiched like a burger, or chopped and added to salads or pasta dishes.

17 of 25

Saffron-Yogurt Chicken Kebabs

kebabs saffron yogurt chicken
Bobbi Lin

Saffron infuses these yummy chicken skewers with a gorgeous hue, and adds subtle flavor that's beautifully complemented by tangy yogurt.

18 of 25

Grilled-Chicken-and-Zucchini Salad

Grilled-Chicken-and-Zucchini Salad
Ren Fuller

A quick marinade in garlicky, dill-flecked yogurt before grilling results in super moist and flavorful chicken cutlets. They're served with a fast romaine-and-radish salad and planks of zucchini.

19 of 25

Green-Chile Chicken Burgers

Green-Chile Chicken Burgers
Bryan Gardner

Forget what you knew about chicken burgers! These sprightly sandwiches are that good. Lean ground chicken is amped up with canned green chiles and fresh cilantro for a moist, flavorful patty served with fixings on a sesame bun.

20 of 25

Smoky Grilled Chicken With Sweet Vinegar Sauce

Spice-Rubbed Grilled Chicken with Sweet Vinegar Sauce
Armando Rafael

A perfect combination of salty richness and tart sweetness, this chicken is brushed with a robust vinegar sauce before it hits the grill. Afterward, you'll serve the extras as a side of dipping sauce that'll have your guests asking for more.

21 of 25

Cashew-Chicken Kebabs

cashew chicken kebabs
Armando Rafael

Chicken thighs are brushed with a mixture of red curry paste and ground cashews for these Thai-inspired skewers. They're grilled and served over a quick and refreshing rice noodle salad.

22 of 25

Grilled Chicken With Mango and Mint-Lime Dressing

grilled chicken with mango mint lime dressing
Sidney Bensimon

Lime juice, garlic, and fresh mint come together in a lively dual-purpose dressing here. Half is used to marinate the chicken breasts, while the other half is tossed together with watercress, mango, and charred radishes for the salad.

23 of 25

Grilled Whole Chicken With Barbecue Sauce

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The secret to grilling a whole chicken perfectly is patience. Set up your grill for indirect heat and cook the chicken for an hour and a half, brushing with homemade or purchased barbecue sauce during the last 15 minutes of grilling.

24 of 25

Barbecued-Chicken Salad

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Bryan Gardner

The smoky marinade does double duty in this chicken cutlet dinner; it's brushed on the chicken before grilling and used to dress the salad. And the salad is a winner, too, thanks to cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, avocado, and lettuce.

25 of 25

Grilled Chicken With Lemon and Oregano

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Savor the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean when you marinate halved chickens in chopped fresh oregano, lemon zest, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. To achieve perfectly grilled chicken, cook it over medium heat and move to a cooler part of the grill if the outside is browning too quickly.

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