Grilled Chicken Breast is a quick meal with tender, juicy chicken in a flavorful marinade.
It’s extra quick to make and perfect to enjoy on its own, add to pasta, or even put on top of a salad!
A quick and flavorful marinade and an even quicker grill time means this meal is on the table in no time at all!
How to Make Marinade for Grilled Chicken Breasts
Before grilling chicken breast, let it marinate for a little bit. A Marinade adds flavor and it can help tenderizes grilled chicken.
- Oil: Oil is the base of this marinades, it helps distribute flavors and prevents sticking.
- Acid: This breaks down tough proteins, tenderizing the meat. (vinegar/lemon juice).
- Sugar: Adds flavor and promotes caramelization. (honey/brown sugar).
- Seasonings: Seasonings define the flavor profile. I use a little Italian seasoning but add in your favorite herbs and spices.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Breast
Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts are always on our table in the winter but come warm weather our table is filled with recipes from the grill or BBQ! It’s easy to make:
- Pound Chicken: Pound chicken to 1/2″ thickness with a meat mallet for even cooking.
- Marinate: Prep the marinade (per the recipe below) & let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat & cook chicken for 6-8 min per side.
Use Medium-High Heat
A higher heat seals in juices and gives a nice sear while keeping the chicken breasts nice and moist.
How Long to Grill Chicken Breasts
How long to grill chicken breasts can vary slightly depending on the heat of the grill and the thickness of the chicken breasts.
After the chicken is marinated, it’s time to hit the grill. Place the breasts on the grill and cook for about 7-8 minutes on one side. No peeking or lifting, so you retain those lovely grill marks!
Flip the chicken and let it cook for another 7-8 minutes or until it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast on a meat thermometer.
It is important to allow the chicken to rest for about 3-5 minutes before cutting to keep it juicy (just enough time to fill your plate and get to the table). Serve with your favorite sides, and preferably on a patio with a big pitcher of Easy White Sangria!
Our Go-To Grilled Veggies
Did your family love these Grilled Chicken Breasts? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup oil olive oil or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl or freezer bag. Add chicken and toss well to combine.
- Marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) before cooking chicken.
- Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Place chicken on the grill for 7-8 minutes. Flip over and cook an additional 7-8 minutes or until no pink remains and chicken reaches 165°F.
- Rest 3-5 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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Just had this grilled chicken for supper. Cooked it on an electric grill.
It was deeeelisciousssssssss!!!
Saving this recipe
Really good. Thanks!
Hands down the absolute best recipe ever!! We only eat grilled chicken and fish in my house and my husband was tired of the same plain seasoning. This took my chicken to a whole other level. I’ve left over night with no issues. I usually just grill it on the Forman grill for about 8 minutes without flipping it. This never disappoints. Thank you a million times over!!
You are so very welcome! Love that it worked out so well for you Jasmine!
Was great on the grill!
Absolutely delicious. Made this tonight for the first time, my husband and I both loved it. Lots of flavor and the chicken was so moist!! This one is a keeper!!!
Thanks for sharing your recipe. My husband loved it. I’ve printed it out to use it again.
You’re welcome! So glad you love the chicken!
Made this last weekend and grilled in my ninja xl grill. Came out great! Served with tricolor fettuccine with a light marinara sauce. Husband loved it and added to my top 10 best dinners! I guess it will be a regular menu item in our home! Always a winner recipe Holly. Thanks!
You’re welcome Linda! So glad you loved it!
Let me start off by saying that I do not go out of my way to give ratings to recipes that I find, but this one is so good I had to make a comment! I’ve made it several times and it’s never come out dry or tasteless amazing recipe!
Thank you so much for coming back to rate the recipe Kat, I truly appreciate it. So glad you loved it!
The best. We love it, my toddlers love it. Even delicious baked when we can’t grill it over here in New England. Tastes great in Holly’s salad recipes too.
How do I replace Worcestershire sauce?
Perhaps you could try some low sodium soy sauce. I’ve also heard that coconut aminos work, but have not personally tried it.
I make this recipe all the time my husband simply loves it. One of the best grilled chicken recipes ever. Ok love the way you have mentioned step by step process.
I tried this recipe a year ago & have been using it since…I grill a lot! I use the exact same temp & time & the chicken is always cooked perfectly & so so moist!!
By far the best chicken breast marinade i had in a long time! Thank you!!!
This recipe/marinade was delicious. I only recently got into cooking and made this as defined. It was great to pound chicken to get frustrations out : ) and more importantly was really good and easy. Marinaded chicken for just 30-40 minutes, but flavor was there. Thank you! My new go to chicken recipe.
LOL! :) I’m glad you enjoyed the chicken Kathy!
And for another first time ever I tried making my own marinade for grilled chicken. The instructions were clear, straightforward, and direct – and the chicken came out great.
So glad you enjoyed it Jon!
I am a terrible cook, so if I can make this recipe and it turns delicious, it must be a winner!
Our chicken tasted great and looked fantastic. I served it up with rice and salad. Perfect for a hot summer day in Georgia.
Made this chicken and my husband just loved it. Definitely my go to Easy to make grilled chicken recipe. Simply Delicious
This was awesome. Chicken was so tender too. I have made several of your recipes and have never been disappointed. Thanks for all the great recipes
So glad you loved it Denise, thank you so much!!
Left out the sugar and garlic and still one of my favorite chicken marinades I’ve tried. Thank you!
Was scrambling for a quick recipe to grill chicken for a group of 6. Found this one and can now say it will be my usual recipe for grilled chicken going forward. If cooked to the letter of the recipe it produces great tender moist results. Leftovers great sliced microwaved for a sandwich.