Lindsay Funston is the former Executive Editor at Delish, where she managed all food, culture, video and social content. She had worn many hats at the brand over the years: traveling the country in pursuit of pickles, creating gravity-defying "cheese pulls", and almost burning down the Delish kitchen with marshmallow cupcakes.
We know what you’re thinking: grilled chicken breasts can verge on being the epitome of boring. If not prepared correctly, they can end up dried out or rubbery (no, thank you!) . But, when soaked in a super-quick, delicious marinade, you’re guaranteed an absolutely delicious main, perfect for serving with all your fave summer sides. Read on for all of our top tips on how to make juicy and flavorful grilled chicken breasts every time:
The key to cooking chicken breasts without drying them out.
The secret is all in the marinade. Our easy, simple marinade uses balsamic, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, and dried herbs to give our chicken heaps of flavor, and ensure it stays juicy while cooking. We’d recommend marinating it for no longer than 12 hours. Technically (according to the USDA), you can keep raw chicken refrigerated for up to 2 days, but we don't recommend marinating for that long, since you’ll run the risk of getting mushy chicken.
How hot should my grill be for chicken breasts?
Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, a two-zone (that means two temperature) fire is the way to go. If you have really small chicken breasts, you can get away with a medium-high heat, because by the time you have nice grill marks on both sides, the chicken will be cooked through as well. For larger chicken breasts, get your sear marks on both sides over high heat, then move them to a medium-low heat to finish cooking.
How long should I grill my chicken?
According to the FDA, all chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°. We prefer our chicken breasts closer to 150°, because boneless skinless chicken breasts have basically no fat, so in order to maintain some juiciness we pull them a little early. Our chicken breasts were cooked through after around 6 minutes on either side, but the best way to check that your chicken has reached the optimal internal temperature is with a meat thermometer.
Keep your chicken from sticking to the grill.
As long as you give each side enough time, your chicken shouldn’t stick on the grill. But, if you’d like some extra assurance, follow our guide to make your grill essentially nonstick: 1) Turn the grill to high (if using gas) and close the lid. Let it preheat for about 10 minutes. 2) Dip a folded paper towel in a bit of oil, open the lid, and using tongs, quickly brush the grill grates with oil. Close the lid, keeping it on high heat for about 20 seconds. 3) Repeat this one more time until you are ready to cook the chicken. By oiling and heating the grill grate, you are essentially creating a nonstick surface. Pretty amazing, right?
What should I serve with this?
Well, since you've already got the grill going, how about some grilled corn, grilled asparagus, and maybe a grilled pineapple sundae for dessert? (Can you tell we're excited for grilling season? 😅)
Made this recipe? Tell us how ya feel! Rate & comment below.
- Yields:
- 4 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 15 mins
- Total Time:
- 45 mins
- Cal/Serv:
- 456
Ingredients
- 1/4 c.
balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp.
brown sugar
- 3
cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp.
dried thyme
- 1 tsp.
dried rosemary
- 4
chicken breasts
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
- Nutrition Information
- Per Serving (Serves 4)
- Calories456 Fat17 gSaturated fat3 gTrans fat0 gCholesterol199 mgSodium719 mgCarbohydrates8 gFiber1 gSugar7 gProtein62 gVitamin D0 mcgCalcium43 mgIron2 mgPotassium976 mg
- Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Powered by
Directions
- Step 1In a medium bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, and dried herbs, and season generously with salt and pepper. Reserve ¼ cup.
- Step 2Add chicken to the bowl and toss to combine. Let marinate at least 20 minutes and up to overnight.
- Step 3 Preheat grill to medium high. Add chicken and grill, basting with reserved marinade, until cooked through, 6 minutes per side.
- Step 4 Garnish with parsley before serving.