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Grilled Chicken Breast
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Grilled Chicken Breast

This Grilled Chicken Breast is juicy, flavorful, and ideal for warm-weather meals. Marinated in a simple, zesty blend of oil, garlic, and acid, then perfectly grilled, it’s a healthy and versatile protein. Serve it with salads, veggies, or grains—or slice it up for wraps and meal prep. The marinade keeps it moist, and the grill gives it that perfect char.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken marinade, grilled chicken breast, healthy chicken recipe, juicy chicken, summer grilling
Servings: 4
Calories: 226kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 1¾ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium breasts)
  • 1 batch of Basic Chicken Marinade see below

Oil for grilling

  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh herbs crumbled feta cheese, lemon juice

Basic Chicken Marinade (Suggested Minimum):

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 –4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 –3 tablespoons acid of choice lemon juice, lime juice, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar
  • Optional: a few teaspoons dried herbs e.g., Italian seasoning

Instructions

Pound Chicken Evenly:

  • Place chicken on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Pound to an even ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Tenderize and Marinate:

  • Poke the chicken all over with a fork. In a zip-top bag, combine all marinade ingredients and add the chicken. Seal and massage the bag to coat. Place the bag in a bowl or pan and let it marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 12 hours (5–6 hours ideal). If short on time, even 15 minutes helps.

Preheat Grill:

  • Preheat the grill to high (about 475°F). If the chicken was refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grill grates.

Grill Chicken:

  • Shake off excess marinade and place chicken on the grill, smooth side down. Cover and grill for 4–5 minutes. Flip once the chicken easily releases from the grates. Grill another 4–8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155–160°F (it will rise to 165°F while resting). Avoid overcooking.

Rest and Serve:

  • Transfer chicken to a plate and rest for at least 5 minutes. Add optional toppings like fresh herbs, lemon juice, or feta. Serve warm.

Notes

To store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave.
To freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.