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

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.

How to season chicken like a restaurant? ›

Mix together salt, paprika, onion powder, thyme, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl; set aside. Remove and discard giblets from chicken. Rinse chicken cavity; pat dry with paper towels. Rub each chicken inside and out with spice mixture.

Do you need to season chicken before grilling? ›

Yes, you should always season your chicken before cooking when it's raw. You can even do this up to 24 hours before if you have the time. Why? Because leaving the seasoning on your chicken overnight in the fridge will help it start to trap moisture in the chicken, which will make it nice and juicy once cooked.

How do you keep grilled chicken moist for the next day? ›

Salt! If you have time to brine but no space for a brining container in the fridge, consider salting (also known as “dry-brining”) instead. After patting the chicken dry, generously coat it in salt (don't worry, much of the salt will cook off anyway), and refrigerate them uncovered for at least 30 minutes.

What is the secret to grilling chicken? ›

Grill over direct heat.

For the best grill marks, don't move the chicken once it has been set down and avoid pressing, prodding, or poking for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken — when ready, the breasts will lift up easily for flipping. Cook the second side until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes more.

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.

What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

Do you put sauce on chicken before grilling? ›

Most grillers will apply the sauce first and then continue to baste the chicken with sauce while it cooks. This is a common practice, but it can lead to burning your chicken. You want the chicken to slowly cook to perfection and then add the sauce during the final 10 to 15 minutes of cooking.

Should I put olive oil on chicken before grilling? ›

Start with a very light coating of olive oil on the chicken to keep it from sticking to the grill. Once it has started cooking, apply your basting mixture with a silicone brush or baster. Flip the chicken and allow it to cook a bit longer before basting the other side.

Should I put olive oil on chicken before seasoning? ›

Seasoning skinless chicken is as straightforward as with any other cut of meat. Lightly drizzle olive oil over the chicken to act as a binder, sprinkle your seasoning on top, then gently press it in and let your chicken dry-marinate for about 45 minutes.

What is the best way to cook chicken breasts to keep them moist? ›

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

What's a good spritz for chicken? ›

There are many liquids that you can use for spritzing. The most popular choices are apple cider vinegar, beer, and wine. But you can also use tomato juice, vegetable juice, or any type of broth. If you're looking to add some extra flavor, you can use a BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or teriyaki sauce.

Why does my grilled chicken come out dry? ›

Overcooking: Chicken dries out when it's cooked for too long. Poultry, unlike red meats, does not have as much fat marbling to keep it moist, so it's easy to overcook and end up with dry meat.

How do you grill chicken without burning the outside? ›

If you set the temperature extremely high, the chicken won't cook properly on the inside but can burn on the outside. It will cook more thoroughly and evenly with lower heat. Fix: Choose medium heat on a gas grill or medium-low on a charcoal grill to cook your chicken.

How do you grill chicken without burning it? ›

Here's the easy way - use a zone system on your grill. With a gas grill, only turn on the burners on one side of the grill and leave the other side off. With a charcoal grill, push all the coals to one side and leave the other side empty. Put the chicken on the no-heat side of the grill and close it.

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