During grilling season, I make this Grilled Chicken for my family at least once a week. It’s one of those simple recipes that works for even the pickiest eaters! I brine large chicken breasts, then coat them in a sweet and savory spice rub to create the juiciest grilled chicken you’ve ever tasted! Everyone at my house loves this chicken, and the delicious char from grilling takes the flavor to the next level.
“I made this today on the grill. Absolutely delicious. Chicken can be so bland and this is great! I made a big batch up for meal prep.”
Kristin
Juicy grilled chicken is a staple at my house this time of year. I never have to worry if my picky toddler will finish her dinner or if my husband will go back for seconds. It’s one of the magical recipes that’s always a winner whenever I make it. The best part is the leftovers are great to use in just about any chicken salad recipe, which makes lunches the rest of the week a no-brainer. To top it all off, using the grill means my house isn’t sweltering hot in the middle of the summer! Need I say more?
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Make your wet brine: Pour ¼ cup kosher salt and ¼ cup granulated sugar into 2 quarts of cold water in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Pound the chicken: Use a fork to poke holes all over 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts and then transfer to a Ziplock bag. Pound the chicken breasts to ½ inch to 3/4 inch with a tenderizing mallet or rolling pin while inside the Ziplock bag.
Brine the chicken: Pour the wet brine into the Ziplock bag with the tenderized chicken breasts. Now close the bag and let the chicken brine at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also let it brine in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Don’t skip this step! The brine infuses the chicken with flavor, helps to combat moisture loss, and makes the meat super tender.
Make the seasoning blend: Combine 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp cayenne, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp brown sugar in a bowl.
Season the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, rinse, and pat dry on both sides with paper towels. Make sure you rinse the brine off your chicken, or it might end up too salty! Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil, and use your hands to rub the seasoning blend on both sides.
Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to 475°F. Note: If you’re using an indoor grill, I found putting the chicken on the grill while it’s preheating helps get the middle of the breast to temperature in a timely manner and keeps the outside from overcooking and burning. If your chicken has been in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes before starting the grilling process.
Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temp reads between 155-160°F. The chicken will continue to cook while it’s resting (because it’s so hot and juicy!), so you can remove it a little early. Just make sure it reaches the internal temperature of 165°F while resting, or you may need to throw it back on the grill for a couple more minutes.
Juicy, tender, and full of flavor, this grilled chicken is a winner every time!
I often serve this grilled chicken sliced over a fresh green salad for a really simple but satisfying meal for my family. But honestly, it’s one of those recipes that goes with just about anything. If you’re craving something cozy, try it with lemon butter green beans, or a scoop of cheesy broccoli rice. On warmer days, I’d pair it with a ditalini pasta salad for an easy backyard dinner. And if you want to give it a little extra flavor boost, a light drizzle of homemade balsamic glaze really takes things up a notch.
I recommend storing leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap individual chicken breasts in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
When I was looking for a grill for us to use in the Budget Bytes kitchen, I wanted one that was easy to find, simple to set up, easy to clean, and didn’t make me miss my charcoal grill. I went with the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Grill after contemplating a few different ones that would be widely available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
The cheapest grill option I found was a simple and small camping charcoal grill. That’s also a great option if you want to grill outside, get that smokier grill flavor, and don’t mind keeping charcoal on hand.
The Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Grill we ended up deciding on comes with a grill top and a flat top, so it’s perfect as a quick, clean option for grilling at home or even in an RV/camper. (I have since bought one for my chef kit and my in-laws bought one for their camper!)
Our Grilled Chicken recipe was originally published 6/17/24. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be better than ever 7/8/25.
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