40 Creative Grilled Chicken Recipes That’ll Shake Up Your Summer Dinners (2024)

Love a weeknight chicken dinner? Us too, so we're taking them to the grill this summer.

By Camille Lowder
40 Creative Grilled Chicken Recipes That’ll Shake Up Your Summer Dinners (1)

Chicken will forever be our weeknight dinner staple, and we're no strangers to having to get creative with how we cook it to avoid falling into a rut. Couple that with our summertime desire to be cooking outside as much as possible while it’s nice out, and it was a no-brainer to figure out ALL the best ways to grill our favorite lean protein. Check out our list of 40 grilled chicken recipes for ideas—with a few easy marinades, fruit, and spices, you'll happily be eating grilled chicken all summer long too.

Let’s start with our top tips for how best to grill chicken. We bet you’ve got a favorite cut of chicken, like thighs, breasts, or wings, and luckily, you can put them all on the grill. Simple marinades made of ingredients like balsamic vinegar, pineapple, or soy sauce make chicken extra flavorful, and only really need 20 minutes or so to soak in (though overnight is best!). If you do marinate overnight, bring your chicken to room temperature before grilling to avoid the cold meat seizing and becoming tough. Make sure your grill is super hot too, and once your chicken is on there, resist the urge to flip it around a bunch—once midway through should be enough.

While tasty, the simple act of cooking chicken on your grill doesn't necessarily make a full meal, so we’ve also included all our favorite ways to serve them, from summer salads to pizzas to tacos. Check out our grilled chicken Cajun pasta salad, our elote (Mexican street corn) tacos, or our Mediterranean grilled chicken salad for ideas. Not looking for a full sit-down meal? Try one of our skewered chicken recipes, like our chicken souvlaki, our hoisin chicken kebabs, or our chicken satay. They make a great healthy summer appetizer or side, or can be easily turned into something more substantial if served over rice or in a pita.

On the other hand, there is one way to cook chicken on your grill that guarantees a complete meal—foil packs! Toss together our Santa Fe chicken foil packs, our honey mustard chicken foil packs, our Tex-Mex chicken fajita foil packs, and more to see just how versatile they can be. Swap in and out the marinades and veggies, and you'll have enough chicken dinners to last you all season long.

Want even more summertime inspiration? Check out our top 100 grilling recipes, our best summer BBQ salads, and our favorite summer side dishes too.

1

Bruschetta Grilled Chicken

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While we've got plenty of weeknight chicken dinners in our arsenal, this bruschetta grilled chicken is one of our favorite ways to celebrate fresh summer flavors all season long. It turns classic bruschetta into something worthy of a main course, thanks to a little char from the grill and lots of mozzarella cheese.

Get the Bruschetta Grilled Chicken recipe.

2

Harissa Grilled Chicken

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In the world of powerhouse pantry staples, harissa is a flavor bomb. We’re no strangers to its magic here at Delish—we've already stirred it into clams and aioli, and used it to spice up turkey breast and meatballs—and now we’re tapping it again for this easy, throw-together marinade for grilled chicken.

Get the Harissa Grilled Chicken recipe.

3

Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken

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Get these spicy coconut chicken thighs on the grill ASAP; you won’t regret it. They're super-tender thanks to a tasty duo of coconut milk and tenderizing pineapple juice in the marinade. Hot tip: Boil the marinade down into a sauce to drizzle on top for extra flavor.

Get the Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken recipe.

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4

California Grilled Chicken

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♫ California looove ...♫ Balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, honey, oil, and Italian seasoning come together here for a lovely marinade that goes perfectly with in-season tomatoes and creamy avocado.

Get the California Grilled Chicken recipe.

5

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

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Grilling the red onions and buns is totally optional but will take this chicken sandwich over the top. Serve it with some homemade French fries, and you have a restaurant worthy meal right at home.

Get the Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe.

6

Tex-Mex Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

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In these foil packs, a heap of veggies (there are potatoes, onions, and bell peppers) and tender nuggets of boneless, skinless chicken thighs are all flavored with delicious fajita spices. Though potatoes aren't traditionally served with fajitas, here they're a welcome addition (they help soak up ALL the flavor).

Get the Tex-Mex Chicken Fajita Foil Packets recipe.

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7

Grilled Chicken Kebabs

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Many cookouts are plagued by folks using breasts and not knowing how to grill them. Chicken thighs like we've used here, however, are a lot more forgiving due to their natural tenderness and flavor. They taste even better when slid on skewers alongside bok choy and scallions, then glazed with a hoisin BBQ sauce.

Get the Grilled Chicken Kebabs recipe.

8

Grilled Chicken Salad

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This grilled chicken salad—filled with cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado—is the healthy summer dinner we make again and again.

Get the Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad recipe.

9

Peach Balsamic Grilled Chicken

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Grilling fruit brings out all its juicy sweetness, and while you can always go the sweet route with your grilled peaches, they're just as good paired with this sweet and tangy balsamic chicken.

Get the Peach Balsamic Grilled Chicken recipe.

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10

Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers)

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Yakitori (Japanese for "grilled chicken") is one of the oldest and most popular traditional Japanese dishes. Though you'll often find it served from flat tops by street vendors, it's easy to make at home on your grill. alt (shio) or yakitori sauce (tare). You can add ginger and other ingredients, but we kept things minimal for authentic flavor.

Get the Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers) recipe.

11

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

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Serve this Jamaican jerk chicken with traditional callaloo and , or up the sweet factor with some coconut rice or sweet plantains.

Get the Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe.

12

Grilled Chicken Street Tacos

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Nothing beats a street taco—super-juicy, tender grilled meat in a quick grab-and-go format, typically made possible by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas. This makes them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere! They're no frills yet tend to be some of the most craveable tacos around.

Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.

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13

Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Tacos

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Wondering what you’re going to make tonight? These grilled chicken tacos are the answer. They've got all the deliciousness of elote or esquites in taco form, and you don’t even have to fire up the grill. Oh, and did we mention you can get them on the table in 30 minutes?

Get the Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Tacos recipe.

14

Best Grilled Chicken Breast

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Grilled chicken breasts can be the epitome of boring—too often they're dried out or rubbery. But when soaked in a super-quick marinade with balsamic, brown sugar, and dried thyme, you're guaranteed deliciousness.

Get the Best Grilled Chicken Breast recipe.

15

Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

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While we’re all about switching things up, when we want a tried-and-true perfect meal, we always go back to the chicken burrito bowl from Chipotle. It’s classic, reliable, and completely customizable depending on our mood. Best of all? It's SO easy to make at home too, just how you like it.

Get the Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl recipe.

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16

Grilled Pineapple Chicken

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Move over Hawaiian pizza! This tropical chicken has become our new favorite savory pineapple dish. The acidity from the pineapple marinade will help to tenderize the grilled chicken breast and the sugar works to caramelize the meat while grilling.

Get the Grilled Pineapple Chicken recipe.

17

Caprese Chicken Foil Packs

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This recipe combines three things we love—Caprese, chicken, and foil packets—for a SUPER-easy and bright chicken dinner that only takes about 30 minutes to make. Whether you're throwing a BBQ or having a chill family meal, everyone will love them!

Get the Caprese Chicken Foil Packs recipe.

18

Chipotle Chicken

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Juicy, slightly spicy and packed full of flavor, this copycat recipe just might rival the real deal thanks to an extra-flavorful marinade and super-tender chicken. If you've been searching for that perfect Chipotle recipe—this is it.

Get the Chipotle Chicken recipe.

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19

Grilled Chicken Cajun Pasta Salad

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Warning: If you make this Cajun-seasoned, spicy pasta salad at your next summer cookout, be prepared to have everyone asking for the recipe.

Get the Grilled Chicken Cajun Pasta Salad recipe.

20

Chicken Satay

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Satay, considered to be a national dish of Indonesia, is a popular Southeast Asian street food that usually involves a marinated meat being skewered and grilled, then served with a simple saucy dip. Our peanut sauce is the ultimate wingman to satay, containing all the fragrant notes of lemongrass, coconut, fish sauce, and fresh lime zest.

Get the Chicken Satay recipe.

40 Creative Grilled Chicken Recipes That’ll Shake Up Your Summer Dinners (2024)

FAQs

What to put on grilled chicken to keep it moist? ›

Brine Before Grilling to Prevent Dry, Rubbery Chicken

Brining also keeps the interior of the chicken breasts juicy while grilling.

How to grill chicken like a pro? ›

Place your chicken breasts on your preheated grill, and close the lid. It's important to keep the lid of your grill closed while your chicken is cooking so that no heat escapes. Cook your chicken breast on the grill for 6-8 minutes on one side. After 6-8 minutes flip your chicken breast and cook for 6-8 minutes more.

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

Pounding helps tenderize the meat by breaking down its tough fibers. It also thins it out for more even cooking. Do this before frying, grilling, or roasting for better retention of moisture content. To tenderize chicken breast, place the meat on a durable, flat surface.

Is it better to grill chicken fast or slow? ›

The goal is to maintain a low enough grill temp so that the chicken cooks "low and slow." The chicken is done when the internal temperature of the chicken pieces are 160°F for breasts and 170°F for thighs, when tested with a meat thermometer.

How to grill chicken without drying it out? ›

All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out.

How to get grilled chicken taste indoors? ›

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, a little paprika. Since you are using an oven instead of a grill, turn on the BROILER. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown… it will look beautiful. When it's done, pull it out, drizzle a little olive oil and lemon juice on it, let it rest for 10 minutes.

What is the secret to crispy chicken? ›

Just a little cornstarch added to the flour mixture for fried chicken makes for a more tender and crisp crust. The starch in the cornstarch and flour work in tandem to hold the coating together and make it super dry and crispy once fried.

Does butter or oil make chicken skin crispy? ›

Ideally, pan-fried chicken will come off the heat tender and juicy on the inside, and golden and crispy on the outside -- but the perfect crunchy skin won't happen in just any cooking fat. If you want a tasty flavor, go with butter, but if you want your ideal texture, opt for a cooking oil instead.

What can I put on chicken skin to make it crispy? ›

“Put a little schmear of vegetable oil and because there is no water in it, the heat from the oven immediately begins to crisp up the skin and you don't end up with steam coming off the skin,” he says. Slow and steady when roasting.

How do you make chicken taste good? ›

Marinate them with something delicious.

I like a simple combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic that echoes the flavor of teriyaki chicken, but sometimes favor a yogurt-based marinade that makes the chicken really tender and moist instead.

What are 4 foods that can be grilled? ›

Grill-Worthy Veggies
  • Sweet peppers (6-8 minutes each side)
  • Onions (5-7 minutes each side)
  • Zucchini and other summer squash (5 minutes each side)
  • Corn (25 minutes)
  • Portabella mushrooms (7-10 minutes per side)
  • Romaine lettuce hearts (3 minutes per side)
Jun 26, 2022

Is grilled chicken good for stomach? ›

Chicken also provides a range of minerals and B vitamins. Chicken tends to be easy to digest. It also contains no fiber, making it a good choice for people with digestive issues, such as IBS. Baked or grilled, skinless chicken is a healthful option, as it contains the least fat.

What can I put on chicken so it doesn't dry out? ›

  1. Use thighs. As stated before, the higher fat content will help keep the meat moist.
  2. If you can, salt the meat well before you cook it. Even salting a half an hour before you cook it will get some salt into the muscle. ...
  3. Even a thin layer of mayo on the chicken will help buffer the drying effects of the heat.
Jul 13, 2023

How do you make dry grilled chicken moist? ›

Moisture: Introduce moisture to the chicken to help soften it. You can do this by marinating the cooked chicken in a sauce or broth for a while. This can help rehydrate the meat and add some flavor. Just be careful not to over-marinate, as the chicken could become mushy.

What is the best way to keep a chicken moist? ›

Salt the chicken generously all over

A generous amount of salt—after you've dried the chicken well with paper towels—will help the interior of the bird stay moist while crisping the skin and enhancing the flavor.

How do you make chicken soft and juicy? ›

  1. Flatten the chicken breasts. ...
  2. Heat the pan. ...
  3. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. ...
  4. Flip the chicken breasts. ...
  5. Turn the heat down to low. ...
  6. Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. ...
  7. Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. ...
  8. Remove lid and take temperature.

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