31 Flavorful Grilled Chicken Recipes for Every Occasion
Don’t be nervous about undercooking or drying out chicken on the grill. Try these Grilled Chicken Recipes to get well-seasoned, perfectly cooked chicken every time.
Chicken is the most commonly eaten meat in the United States, but it’s far from dull. Think of chicken as a blank canvas for bold flavors and smoky finishes. We’ve collected 28 top grilled chicken recipes so weeknight dinners stay exciting and satisfying.
From juicy grilled chicken thighs to tender grilled chicken breasts, you’ll find a wide variety of approaches and flavors below. Each entry includes a short description and a clear direction for where to find the full recipe and method.
Table of Contents
Chicken Resources
Seasoning
Grilled Chicken Recipes
Whole Grilled Chicken
Grilled Chicken Thighs, Legs, and Quarters
Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled Chicken Wings
Marinades and Dry Rubs for Grilled Chicken
Chicken Resources
The secret to great grilled chicken is avoiding overcooking. For reliable results, follow a trusted temperature guide for chicken and use an accurate digital instant-read thermometer.
When cooking whole birds, consider spatchcocking or roasting them whole and then cutting into halves or quarters for even cooking and crisp skin.
Seasoning
A good dry rub or spice blend will transform simple grilled chicken. Try a savory no-sugar chicken rub for a clean, robust flavor that works well with high-heat grilling.
1
Easy Grilled Chicken Seasoning
A simple dry rub that’s sugar-free and gluten-free — perfect for hot, fast grilling.
If you prefer more heat or smokiness, consider a blackening seasoning or a Jamaican jerk blend to add depth and spice.
2
Blackening Seasoning Recipe
A savory, smoky blend with chili and dried spices that works brilliantly on chicken, fish, and pork.
3
Jerk Seasoning Recipe
A fragrant blend of herbs, spices, and heat inspired by Jamaican jerk that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken.
Grilled Chicken Recipes
Grilling chicken becomes straightforward with the right techniques: use a reliable dry rub or marinade, set up the grill for even heat, and monitor temperature to avoid overcooking. Grilled chicken is versatile — serve it in salads, sandwiches, tacos, or as the main course.
Whole Grilled Chicken
Whole grilled chicken is great for gatherings. Whether roasted on a pellet grill, set upright on a can of wine, or spatchcocked for even heat, whole birds are juicy and make an impressive centerpiece.
4
Grilled Wine Can Chicken
A twist on beer-can chicken that uses a bright, fruity can of wine for added aroma and moisture.
5
Pellet Grill Whole Chicken Recipe
Roast a whole chicken on a pellet grill with a savory rub and aromatics stuffed in the cavity for a juicy, smoke-kissed result.
Grilled Chicken Thighs, Legs, and Quarters
Thighs and legs are more forgiving than lean breasts because of their higher fat content. Bone-in pieces and quarters also help retain moisture while grilling over high heat.
6
Grilled Chicken Thighs with BBQ Sauce Glaze
Two-zone charcoal grilling produces crispy skin and juicy meat, finished with a tangy BBQ glaze.
7
Grilled Chicken Lollipops
Frenched drumsticks grilled and finished with a barbecue, honey, and Sriracha glaze — a great appetizer.
8
How To Grill Perfect Chicken
A foolproof method for any cut that delivers great flavor, crispy skin, and juicy texture every time.
9
Grilled Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Savory rubbed chicken finished with a sweet and tangy rosemary-balsamic glaze.
10
Ancho Grilled Chicken with Prune Sauce
A unique pairing of earthy ancho chilies and sweet prunes combined with grilled chicken for deep, layered flavor.
11
Jerk Chicken
A citrusy, savory, and spicy marinade inspired by Jamaican flavors, grilled for the perfect finish.
12
Apricot Glazed Grilled Chicken
Buttermilk-soaked chicken grilled and finished with a sweet-spicy apricot glaze.
13
Jerk Grilled Chicken
An easy two-zone grilled chicken seasoned with jerk spices for sweet, aromatic heat.
14
Cranberry Chipotle Citrus Glaze Chicken
Sweet, spicy, and tangy — a vibrant glaze that livens up grilled chicken.
15
Cherry Chipotle BBQ Glazed Chicken
A sweet and spicy cherry-chipotle glaze that makes grilled chicken pop with summer flavor.
16
Marinated Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Flavorful marinated skewers served with a rich peanut dipping sauce — great as an appetizer or main.
17
Blackberry BBQ Sauce with Grilled Chicken
A fruity BBQ sauce that brings summer berries to the grill for bold, unique flavor.
18
Grilled Sweet Chili Chicken
A balanced mix of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors finished with a sriracha-citrus glaze.
Grilled Chicken Breast
Breasts are affordable and versatile but can dry out if mishandled. Use marinades, brines, or bold dry rubs and precise heat to keep them juicy and flavorful.
19
Grilled Blackened Chicken Breasts
Blackening adds intense, herbal, and earthy flavor to chicken breasts for an irresistible result.
20
Buffalo-Stuffed Grilled Chicken Breasts
Boneless skinless breasts stuffed with classic Buffalo wing flavors, then grilled for a satisfying, lighter take on wings.
21
Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Citrus Marinade
Skewered chicken marinated in citrus for bright, simple flavor — ideal for weeknights or entertaining.
22
Chipotle Honey Grilled Chicken (Shredded for Tacos)
A sweet-and-spicy chipotle-honey marinade that grills up beautifully and shreds for tacos, sandwiches, and more.
23
Savory Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
A bold dry rub yields juicy, flavorful breasts that are perfect for salads, sandwiches, or a main course.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Wings are small but packed with flavor. When grilled right they develop crisp skin and rich taste that’s hard to beat.
24
Grilled Chicken Wings
Crispy-skinned wings using cornstarch and finished with a honey barbecue sauce for classic BBQ flavor.
25
Grilled Wings with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Crispy grilled wings paired with a savory, spicy peanut sauce for a flavorful twist.
26
Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Wings
Crispy wings finished with a homemade honey bourbon BBQ sauce for a sweet-savory profile.
27
Grilled Wings with Buffalo Hot Honey Sauce
A hybrid of Buffalo sauce and hot honey for a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
28
Easy Dry Rub Chicken Wings (Grilled)
A focus on seasoning and crisp skin — simple dry rub wings that pair with your favorite dipping sauce.
29
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Wings
Classic Buffalo wings adapted for the grill with a crisp finish and bold sauce.
Marinades and Dry Rubs for Grilled Chicken
Adding flavor before grilling is one of the easiest ways to elevate chicken. Marinades add moisture and flavor, while dry rubs deliver concentrated seasoning and a flavorful crust.
30
Grilled Chicken Marinade
A straightforward marinade template and components that work for virtually any grilled chicken.
31
Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Marinade
A garlic-chipotle marinade that adds smoky spice to chicken fajitas and other grilled dishes.
32
Ultimate Homemade Dry Rub
A versatile dry rub that adds savory and sweet notes — excellent on chicken and pork alike.
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About Vindulge
Mary, a certified sommelier and recipe developer, and Sean, a backyard pitmaster, are the authors of the cookbooks Fire + Wine and Fire + Wine Backyard Pizza. They have produced content for the IACP-nominated site Vindulge since 2009 and live on a small farm outside Portland, Oregon.
