10+ Grilled Chicken Recipes to Spice Up Your Summer BBQ

Grilled chicken’s just a straightforward, tasty way to put a healthy meal on the table. Whether you’re a total beginner or just bored with your usual routine, grilled chicken’s easy to master and always delivers.

It’s a dish you can dress up however you want—spicy, herby, tangy, you name it.

You can whip up grilled chicken for a fast dinner. Or make extra and toss it into salads and wraps all week.

Let’s get into how to make grilled chicken that actually stays juicy and tastes like summer. This works for any get-together, honestly.

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Ingredients

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional herbs and spices (like garlic, rosemary, or paprika)

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Cooking Instructions

1. Heat your grill to medium-high (about 375°F / 190°C).
2. Brush chicken with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and whatever herbs or spices you like.
3. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, until the inside hits 165°F (74°C).
4. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before you dig in.

1) Lemon and oregano marinated grilled chicken breast

Lemon and oregano make grilled chicken breast taste super fresh. The marinade is just lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano—simple but so good.

Let the chicken hang out in the fridge with the marinade for at least half an hour. That gives the flavors a chance to really get in there.

When you grill, aim for medium-high heat. You’ll get a nice char and still keep the chicken juicy.

This one’s a go-to for busy weeknights or when you’ve got friends coming over.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Stir together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Put chicken breasts in a zip bag, pour in the marinade.
3. Pop it in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Heat grill to medium-high (around 375°F/190°C).
5. Grill chicken 6-7 minutes per side, until cooked through.
6. Rest a few minutes before serving.

You can check out more details in this lemon and oregano grilled chicken recipe.

2) Garlic, vinegar, and rosemary grilled chicken thighs

Garlic, vinegar, and rosemary make these grilled chicken thighs pop. The vinegar brings a tang that works perfectly with the savory garlic and earthy rosemary.

Mix up minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and a splash of vinegar. Let the chicken soak for at least an hour, longer if you’ve got the patience.

Grill the thighs over medium heat until they hit 165°F (74°C) inside. You’ll get juicy chicken with a little char.

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken thighs
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons vinegar (balsamic or apple cider)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix garlic, vinegar, olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Toss in the chicken thighs, coat them well, and marinate 1 hour or overnight.
3. Heat grill to medium.
4. Grill chicken thighs 6-7 minutes per side.
5. Make sure the inside reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

For a more detailed version, check out this vinegar chicken with rosemary and garlic recipe.

3) Dijon mustard and lemon juice grilled chicken drumsticks

Dijon mustard and lemon juice give these drumsticks a tangy kick. The marinade keeps the meat juicy and adds some real zest.

Mix Dijon, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Let the drumsticks marinate for at least 30 minutes—longer if you want a stronger flavor.

Grill over medium heat, turning them every few minutes so they cook evenly and get a bit crispy.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk Dijon, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper together.
2. Coat the drumsticks and marinate 30 minutes to 3 hours in the fridge.
3. Heat grill to medium (about 350°F/175°C).
4. Grill drumsticks 25-30 minutes, turning every 5-7 minutes.
5. Make sure they hit 165°F (74°C) inside before serving.

4) Brown sugar and salt rub grilled chicken thighs

This brown sugar and salt rub gives grilled chicken thighs a sweet-savory crust. The sugar helps them caramelize on the grill.

Mix brown sugar and salt with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and pepper. Rub it all over your chicken thighs, then let them sit for at least 30 minutes.

Grill over medium-high heat until the inside’s 165°F (74°C). You’ll get juicy chicken with a little crisp on the outside.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4-6 chicken thighs

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix all the dry stuff in a bowl.
2. Rub onto chicken thighs until they’re well coated.
3. Let chicken sit 30 minutes at room temp.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high.
5. Grill 6-8 minutes per side, until 165°F (74°C) inside.
6. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

More ideas here: grilled chicken thighs recipe.

5) Paprika, chili powder, and cumin spice-rubbed grilled chicken

This one’s for spice fans. Paprika, chili powder, and cumin bring smoky, warm flavors that wake up plain chicken.

Mix the spices with salt and pepper, then rub all over your chicken. Give it at least 15 minutes to soak in.

Grill over medium heat, about 6-8 minutes per side. Turn the chicken so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the spices in a small bowl.
2. Rub spice mix and olive oil onto chicken breasts.
3. Let rest 15 minutes at room temp.
4. Preheat grill to medium (about 375°F / 190°C).
5. Grill 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through.
6. Check for 165°F (74°C) inside.
7. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Need more? Here’s a spice-rubbed grilled chicken recipe.

6) Sweet-and-smoky BBQ grilled chicken

Sweet-and-smoky BBQ grilled chicken is a crowd-pleaser. The marinade of balsamic vinegar and spices adds tang and smoke.

As you grill, brush on BBQ sauce for a sticky, flavorful glaze. Make sure the chicken’s cooked through—165°F (74°C) inside.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup BBQ sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat grill to medium-high (about 375°F/190°C).
4. Grill chicken 6-7 minutes per side, brushing with BBQ sauce.
5. Cook until inside reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let it rest before serving.

7) Bold jerk spiced grilled chicken

Bold jerk spiced grilled chicken packs a punch. The marinade uses Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and thyme for a fiery, smoky flavor.

Let the chicken marinate overnight if you can. Grill over medium heat for a charred outside and juicy inside. Two-zone grilling helps keep things from burning.

Try this with thighs or drumsticks—they really soak up the jerk flavors.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 2 Scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon allspice
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, salt, and pepper for the marinade.
2. Coat the chicken in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat the grill to medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Grill chicken over indirect heat until cooked through, about 30-35 minutes.
5. Turn the chicken occasionally. Move to direct heat for a few minutes to char the outside.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

8) Mayonnaise and mustard marinated grilled chicken

If you want juicy, flavorful grilled chicken, try marinating it with mayonnaise and mustard. The mayo locks in moisture, and the mustard brings a tangy punch.

This marinade works on breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. I like to mix mayonnaise, Dijon, and a splash of lemon juice for a little brightness.

Add salt, pepper, and maybe some garlic if you’re feeling it. Let the chicken soak up the flavors in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours if you have time.

When you’re ready, grill the chicken over medium heat. Make sure it hits 165°F (74°C) inside so it’s cooked but still juicy.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Coat the chicken with the marinade.
3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
4. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
5. Grill chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before serving.

Want more details? Here’s the Grilled Mayonnaise-Mustard Chicken recipe.

9) Simple garlic and herb grilled chicken breast

Sometimes you just want an easy grilled chicken breast, right? Grab some garlic, herbs, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Mix up a quick marinade with those ingredients. Let the chicken hang out in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

When it’s time to grill, use medium heat. Cook until the inside reaches 165°F (74°C), so it stays juicy.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add chicken breasts and coat them well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat.
4. Grill chicken 6-8 minutes per side, or until internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
5. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before serving.

10) Grilled chicken shredded with peanut sauce

Here’s a fun one: grill some chicken, shred it up, and pour peanut sauce over the top. You don’t even need skewers for this.

Grilled chicken breasts work great for shredding. Let them rest first so they stay juicy.

For the sauce, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and a little honey or sugar. Want heat? Toss in chili flakes or sriracha.

Drizzle the sauce over the chicken or serve it on the side for dipping. I love this with rice, noodles, or even just fresh veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey or sugar
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes or sriracha
• Water (to thin sauce if needed)

Cooking Instructions

1. Crank up your grill to 375°F (190°C).

2. Toss the chicken breasts on the grill. Let them cook for about 6-7 minutes per side.

3. Make sure they’re cooked through.

4. Take the chicken off the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes.

5. Grab two forks and shred the chicken.

6. In a bowl, mix together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and chili flakes.

7. Add water bit by bit until you like the sauce’s consistency.

8. Pour the peanut sauce over the shredded chicken, or just serve it on the side if that’s more your style.