Is there anything that says “Summertime is here” quite like firing up the grill and prepping all those delectable meats to be cooked to utter perfection? When done properly, one of the best grilled meats is chicken.
This one can be tricky though, since chicken can be easily overcooked on the grill as well as left with a bland taste if not seasoned and prepared properly.
Here are some variations on the most popular marinade ideas and tips on how to grill chicken that will be perfect and delicious every time:
- 24 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 2 cups olive oil
- Juice of 12 lemons
- 6 Tbsp. honey
- 2 tsp. each ground thyme and ground oregano
- 4 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- Pound or roll chicken breasts to uniform thickness.
- Place chicken in a single layer in a large, medium deep pan or baking dish.
- Combine salt, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, thyme and oregano, and Dijon mustard.
- Set aside 1/3 cup of mixture. Pour the remaining mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Cover and allow to marinade for 8-12 hours.
- Prepare the grill and place marinaded chicken breasts over very hot coals.
- Brush each chicken breast with the reserved marinade.
- Cook for 5 minutes, turn, brush with marinade and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Savory Grilled Chicken
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- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups beer, room temperature
- 3 Tbsp. onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. each cumin, paprika, and ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 15 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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Pound or roll chicken breasts to uniform thickness. Place chicken in a single layer in a large, medium deep pan or baking dish.
Combine olive oil, beer, onion, sea salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, black pepper, garlic, and parsley in a large bowl. Mix well.
Reserve 1/3 cup of mixture. Pour the remaining mixture over the chicken breasts or Tighs. Cover and allow to marinade for 8-12 hours.
Prepare the grill and place marinaded chicken breasts over very hot coals. Brush each chicken breast with the reserved marinade.
Cook for 5 minutes, turn, brush with marinade and cook for 5 minutes more. Serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Grilled Chicken with a Bite
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• Juice of 4 lemons
• 6 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/4 teaspoon each dried oregano and dried thyme
• 3/4 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and ground black pepper
• 4 Tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• 15 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pound or roll chicken breasts to uniform thickness. Place chicken in a single layer in a large, medium deep pan or baking dish.
Combine balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and parsley in a large bowl. Mix well.
Reserve 1/3 cup of mixture. Pour the remaining mixture over the chicken breasts. Cover and allow to marinade for 8-12 hours.
Prepare the grill and place marinaded chicken breasts over very hot coals. Brush each chicken breast with the reserved marinade.
Cook for 5 minutes, turn, brush with marinade and cook for 5 minutes more. Serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Tips for Perfectly Grilled Chicken Every Time
• Boneless chicken breasts can be tricky to grill because of their uneven thickness. This is why it is important to pound or roll them out to a uniform thickness before cooking. A 1/2″ thickness is perfect for grilling. Cooking time will be reduced and chicken will turn out perfect every time.
Shared via My Recipes.
• Make sure the grill is prepped for the chicken by brushing the grates generously with oil just before placing the chicken on the grill. Chicken should be cooked over Medium heat, never High, since it can become overcooked and burn much more easily than meats such as hamburgers or steak. Indirect heat is best for cooking chicken, such as with a two-level fire or a grill with coals on only half of it.
• In order to thoroughly cook chicken it is important to cover it as it is grilling. Close the grill lid or place an upside-down disposable foil pan over the chicken. For buying a new grill this summer, find out more in this Best Grill Guide.
• Avoid cross-contamination by thoroughly washing hands and everything else that has come into contact with raw chicken in hot, soapy water. If the chicken is being brushed with sauce as it is being grilled, do not serve it with the same sauce it was being basted with when it is done.
• Baste chicken breasts for only the last 5 minutes or so of grilling so the sauce does not burn.
No matter which of these mouth-watering marinades you choose to try, your cookout will be the hit of the season when your guests taste the magic you can work with chicken on the grill. There’s no better way to celebrate cookout season than with these amazing, flavorful marinades for your chicken. Now fire up the grill and get cookin’!