10 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make This Summer

Delicious grilled chicken recipes you can enjoy all summer long whether you're cooking chicken for a weeknight meal or throwing a backyard BBQ.

Grilled Chicken Recipes
Simply Recipes

Google “grilled chicken recipes” and you’ll get A LOT of results. We’ve saved you some time by curating 10 terrific grilled chicken dishes you can make all summer long. Each recipe is also packed with pointers on mastering the grill when it comes to America’s most popular protein.

One of the biggest challenges with grilling chicken is cooking it just right, so it’s flavorful, tender, and juicy without being overcooked. There are a few techniques, tips, and tricks that can help you achieve a perfectly cooked bird.

  • If your recipe calls for boneless breasts, pounding the pieces using a mallet or cast iron skillet will tenderize your meat and this allows the chicken to be cooked evenly throughout.
  • Any cut of chicken you put on the grill will benefit from a marinade for a boost of flavor and to tenderize the bird.
  • Consider using an instant-read thermometer to test the internal temperature so you know exactly when to pull your chicken off the grill. Here is the perfect guide that will answer all of your chicken temperature questions.

Below you’ll find a line-up of recipes that travel the globe and run the gamut from whole-roasted, to skewered, to slathered in flavorful rubs and marinades. Make these recipes all summer long whether you're cooking up some chicken on the grill for a weeknight meal or throwing a backyard BBQ for a crowd.

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    Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

    Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Recipe
    Sabrina Modelle

    Both the chicken and the croutons get cooked on the grill for this main dish salad. Make the homemade dressing featured in the recipe or take a shortcut and use a store-bought brand. Tip: double the recipe and enjoy the extras for lunch the next day (just be sure to not dress the leftover salad until you’re ready to eat).

  • Grilled Chicken with Dukkah
    Sally Vargas

    Bone-in chicken gets dusted with dukkah, an aromatic spice blend with Egyptian roots. It’s a blend of coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, and nuts which pairs beautifully with grilled chicken. Once the chicken is off the grill, pile it onto a platter with lightly dressed arugula, lemony hummus, and warm pita.

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    Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken on plate
    Elise Bauer

    The boneless skinless chicken breasts in this recipe are pounded until they reach an even thickness. The technique ensures even cooking and tender chicken. It is then marinated with lime juice and cilantro to pack in flavor. Slice the chicken breasts and pair it with a green salad and this Mexican Street Corn.

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    Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

    Peanut Satay Chicken
    Sally Vargas

    Chicken satay is a popular Asian street food napped in a slightly spicy peanut sauce. It grills up quickly and makes a tasty supper along with rice and a cucumber salad. 

    Barbecued Chicken on the Grill

  • Grilled BBQ Chicken off the grill ready to serve
    Elise Bauer

    There’s a reason chicken with barbecue sauce is so popular: it’s delicious. This recipe calls for whatever store-bought barbecue sauce you like (read the label, since some of them pack in a lot of sugar) but you can also make homemade barbecue sauce if you're feeling up to it. The recipe includes step-by-step instructions for nailing a perfectly tender bird every time. Serve this with classic summer sides, such as this Potato Salad with Dill and a plate of beautiful tomatoes seasoned with salt, fresh cracked pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

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    Chipotle Grilled Chicken with Avocado Sandwiches

    Chipotle Grilled Chicken with Avocado Sandwich
    Elise Bauer

    These crowd-pleasing sandwiches are so full of flavor, it’s hard to believe they involve so few ingredients. The key is the hit of smoky chipotle chili used to spice the chicken. That plus ripe avocado, a swipe of mayo, and a soft bun bring the whole thing together.

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    Honey Mint Glazed Grilled Chicken

    Honey Mint Grilled Chicken
    Elise Bauer

    Any chicken dish with the word “glaze” has our attention. Plus, what’s not to love about a recipe that calls for just five ingredients (not counting salt and pepper). The glaze here is done with a combination of honey and fresh mint, flavors that are well-balanced by a vinegary marinade. Serve these with some tasty Green Beans with Lemon and Dill.

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    Rosemary Chicken Skewers with Berry Sauce

    Grilled Chicken Skewers with blackberry sauce and rosemary
    Elise Bauer

    This is such a pretty dish! Rosemary-scented chicken gets threaded onto skewers and served with a simple sauce using fresh or frozen blackberries sweetened with red currant jelly. It’s easy to make but feels a bit fancy. 

    Beer Can Chicken

  • Beer Can Grilled Chicken
    October Creative and Elise Bauer

    Perching a whole chicken over a beer can as it grills is a nifty way to achieve a bird with crispy skin and juicy and tender meat. Feel free to keep the seasonings simple (salt, black pepper, and thyme) or mix it up with a favorite spice rub. A generous pot of these Cowboy Beans makes a perfect side.

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    Tandoori Chicken

    Tandoori Chicken
    Elise Bauer

    You don’t need a tandoor oven to make tandoori chicken. Your backyard grill will do the job just fine. The key to this recipe is the marinade, a combination of yogurt, garlic, lemon, ginger, and spices that tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with flavor. Serve with naan or Indian-style rice and Cucumber Mint Raita on the side.