Grilled chicken is my go-to when I’m looking for lean protein options. But I don’t like to make the same bland recipe over and over and over. That’s why I love this variety of grilled chicken recipes. They’re simple to make, and absolutely delicious, and every person I’ve made them for raves about everyone!
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I’ve shared numerous collections of some of my favorite beef recipes with you, but today we’re talking grilling chicken. White meat, dark meat, thighs, and wings – whatever you like, I’ve got you covered like Buffalo sauce on a hot wing..
Not only am I sharing my favorite recipes, but also some of my best tips and tricks for ensuring you get the best results when grilling your chicken. I’ve also got some great seasonings and sauces to give your chicken the best flavor.
Lastly, I’ve also included a bunch of side dishes to bring the whole thing together. But I will say in all my years of experience grilling and eating, the best thing that goes with grilled chicken…is ribs.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Grilled Chicken
Follow these simple tips to get the best results no matter what type of chicken you’re grilling.
- Cook the chicken away from direct heat. This allows for fully cooked, juicy chicken without overcooking or drying it out
- Overcooking the chicken will always, always dry it out.
- Spray your grilling racks before cooking so the chicken doesn’t stick.
- Always cook chicken to the proper internal temperature of 165°F
- Temperature should be checked in the innermost part of the thigh or wing and the thickest part of a chicken breast.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure cooking temperature is accurate
- If marinating your chicken in the fridge, pull them an hour before cooking to allow them to acclimate.
FAQs
Bone in vs bone out. Is one better than the other?
Bone in chicken, like thighs and wings, retain their moisture better when cooking. Boneless meat, like breasts, cooks faster but runs a higher risk of drying out.
Does the type of grill matter?
The type of grill doesn’t really matter. What matters is getting to know your grilling equipment. You can use a pellet grill, charcoal grill, gas grill, or wood burning grill to make your chicken with great results. I have a variety of types of grills I love to use and they all work great.
What does “cook to temp” mean?
“Cook to temp” means allowing the food to cook as long as it needs to reach its safe-for-consumption temperature. Cooking on medium heat allows for the chicken to cook but not to dry out and overcook.
It is important to cook chicken to 165 degrees vs just cooking for a set amount of time. I mean if you cook your chicken for 30 minutes but your oven is off, then the chicken will be undercooked. 165° is always 165°.
What is the proper temperature to cook chicken?
Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temp of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to get the most accurate readings.
Chicken Seasoning
A big mistake too many people make is just plopping a piece of plain chicken on the grill and adding barbecue sauce. You have to season the meat before it cooks to get the best and most flavorful results.
You can do a wet brine or dry rub seasoning, or both. But you want to let the flavor marinate for a while to really let the flavors soak into the chicken.
You can make your own dry rub, but if you’re just looking for something premade, this post has a list of the best chicken seasonings to buy.
As for brine, I swear I only believe in wet brine like the Coca-Cola brine used in some of the recipes below. It might sound a little strange at first, but trust me on this.
Grilled Chicken Breasts
Grilled Chicken Breasts – Olive oil with some simple seasonings to grill up these easy, classic grilled chicken breasts that go with everything. They make the perfect easy weeknight dinner. Get the recipe -> here!
Grilled Garlic Chicken – This Easy Grilled Garlic Chicken Marinade Recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and is often our go-to weeknight dinner during the summer months! I love to fire up my grill when it’s too hot for cooking inside. Get the recipe -> here!
Easy Grilled Korean Chicken – Korean BBQ Seasoning from Spiceology is mixed with ginger paste and teriyaki sauce to make this flavorful grilled chicken breast recipe the whole family is sure to love! Get the recipe -> here!
Grilled Chicken Dark Meat
Coca-Cola Chicken Legs – Use a simple Coca-Cola brine to bring amazing flavor to these chicken legs, and then throw them on the grill to cook! The cola makes for a great glaze! Get the recipe -> here!
Coca-Cola Chicken Thighs – The Coca-Cola adds so much flavor to these thighs, the brine flavors all the way down to the bone and delivers moist and flavorful results. Get the recipe -> here!
Grilled Chicken Thighs – Use olive oil and simple seasonings to make these delicious and easy grilled chicken thighs. Get the recipe -> here!
Coke Can Whole Chicken – A beer can holder works amazingly with a can of Coke to easily cook a whole chicken right on your grill. Get the recipe -> here!
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs – These Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs are a favorite of the whole family. This easy meal uses summer vegetables to make for an easy dinner when served with some simple rice. Get the recipe -> here!
Grilled Chicken Wings
Grilled Coke BBQ Wings– Coca-Cola with soy sauce adds amazing flavor to chicken wings and chicken drummettes. Add some more Coca-Cola into the BBQ sauce for even bigger flavor! Get the recipe -> here!
What To Serve With Grilled Chicken
These are some of my favorite grilled and smoked side dishes and desserts that go great with any of the grilled chicken recipes from above.
Grilled Side Dishes:
I love grilling my side dishes to go alongside my main grilled dishes. You can see them all -> here. Cheesy Grilled Asparagus, Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Grilled Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes, Grilled Corn On The Cob, Grilled Zucchini
Smoked Side Dishes:
Even when using the grill the smoker can still be used! Sometimes I grill to much chicken to have space for a grilled side dish so this saves the day Check out my best smoked side dishes -> here.
Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Green Bean Casserole, Smoked Sweet Potato Casserole, Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes, Smoked Deviled Eggs, Smoked Loaded Baked Beans, Creamy Smoked Macaroni And Cheese, Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes
Desserts:
Amazing Grilling Recipes to Check out
Using your grill to make dinner is perfect for any weeknight dinner or weekend cookout! Easy Grilling Recipes are my go-to; some of my family’s favorites are below. (see my collection -> here)
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