If you are new to grilling, this is a fail-proof recipe to start with. I’ve been grilling this way for years and share my top tips for getting perfectly grilled chicken breasts every single time.

These chicken breasts cost approximately $6.04 to make. The recipe makes four servings and costs around $1.51 per serving.

An overhead picture of the finished chicken sliced on a cutting board.

You will love Chicken Breast on Grill

Tired of dry and rubbery grilled chicken? Follow my step-by-step directions to achieve juicy and tender grilled chicken every single time. I have perfected my method using staple ingredients so you don’t have to try to figure it out.

With a little prep work, you’ll spend just 20 minutes grilling the chicken. This chicken marinade recipe is simple and comes together in 5 minutes.

You can serve this chicken over salad for a lunch or as a main dish for dinner any night of the week.

Grilled Boneless Chicken Breast Ingredients & Cost

Per Serving Cost: $1.51

Recipe Cost: $6.04

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – $3.08
  • 1 recipe chicken marinade$2.96

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. 

All of the ingredients needed to make this grilled chicken breast recipe.

Tools for Grilling Boneless Chicken Breasts

  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Grilling tools
  • Instant-read thermometer

How to Grill Chicken Breast

  1. Marinate the chicken and place it in the fridge to chill for 1-4 hours.
  2. Remove the chicken and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  3. Preheat the grill for 15 minutes.
  4. Grill the chicken for about 2 ½ minutes per side. And again for about 3 minutes per side until the internal temperature reads 160°F. Note that the internal temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests in the next step. 
  5. Move the chicken off the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Grilled Chicken Breasts Storage Tips

SERVE: Rest the chicken for about 5 mixtures before slicing and serving. You can keep the chicken out for about an hour before you need to refrigerate it.

STORE: Keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZE: Place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag. Freeze for 2-3 months.

REHEAT: Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350°F. While the oven preheats, place the chicken in a baking dish and spritz it with water. Or, brush the chicken with a light coating of Italian dressing. Depending on the thickness of the chicken, reheat for 5-15 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be about 165°F.

If reheating from the freezer, allow the chicken to thaw to room temperature before placing it in the oven.

A close up picture of the finished grilled chicken on a wooden cutting board.

Grilling Chicken Breast FAQs

How long do you grill chicken breasts?

Grill the chicken for about 10 minutes total, cooking for 2-3 minutes at a time per side. Once the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, the chicken is done.

How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out?

Marinate the chicken for 1-4 hours before grilling it. This helps the chicken absorb enough moisture before grilling. This keeps it from drying out during the cooking process.

Do you grill chicken on high or low heat?

High heat is used while preheating the grill 15 minutes before the chicken is added. Right before the chicken is placed on the grill, you turn off all of the burners except for the main burned. Turn that burner to medium-high.

How to reheat chicken breasts?

Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350°F. While the oven preheats, place the chicken in a baking dish and spritz it with water. Or, brush the chicken with a light coating of Italian dressing. Depending on the thickness of the chicken, reheat for 5-15 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be about 165°F.

What not to do when grilling chicken?

1. Put cold chicken on the grill: Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for twenty minutes before grilling. This allows the chicken to cook more evenly.
2. Skip the marinade: Letting the chicken soak in the marinade for up to four hours is what helps keep the chicken juicy and tender during the grilling process.
3. Overcrowding the grill: Do not put too much on the grill or the food too close to each other while grilling. The chicken needs space for proper air circulation to cook evenly.
4. Cooking over the open flames: Grilling on too high of heat can dry out the chicken and the open flames can char the chicken.
5. Not using a meat thermometer: Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure doneness. Chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees F.

How to make chicken breast soft and tender?

The secret is in the marinade. Marinate the chicken for at least one hour. The marinade soaks into the chicken and then helps tenderize the chicken while it is on the grill.

Is it better to grill chicken at 350 or 400?

I recommend preheating the grill on high, about 400 degrees F, for fifteen minutes. Then, you will turn off all of the burners except for the main burner and turn it down to medium-high and set the chicken on the hottest part of the grill to cook.

The finished Grilled Chicken Breasts on a wooden cutting board.

More like these Grilled Chicken Breasts:

Grilled chicken sliced into strips.
5 from 4 votes

Grilled Chicken Breasts

Recipe Cost $ $6.04
Serving Cost $ $1.51
Prep Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
4 people
This Gas Grill Chicken Breast recipe is easy to make and a weeknight staple during the summer.

Equipment

  • whisk
  • mixing bowl
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • grilling tools
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions

MARINATE CHICKEN:

  • Add chicken to a large resealable bag or container.
  • Pour marinade over chicken and seal.
  • Place the bag in the refrigerator to chill for 1-4 hours.
  • Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and set it at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking.

PREP GRILL:

  • Turn the gas grill on HIGH and close the lid. Preheat the grill for 15 minutes before putting the chicken on.

GRILL CHICKEN:

  • Scrape and oil the grill grates. Turn off all of the burners except for the main burner; keep that one on medium-high.
  • Place chicken on the hottest part of the grill and cook for 2-2 ½ minutes.
  • Turn chicken and cook until browned on the second side, about 2-2 ½ minutes.
  • Turn the chicken over and move to the cooler side of the grill and cook for 3 more minutes.
  • Turn the chicken over one final time and cook for 3-4 more minutes or until the chicken registers 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
  • Move chicken breasts off the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 259kcal | Protein: 48g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 839mg | Vitamin A: 68IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

did you love this recipe?

Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. These chicken breasts look so juicy and moist, I can’t wait to try them. What do you like to serve them with?

  2. Oooh, those grill marks look amazing and I love the color from the marinade! Such a great recipe to enjoy all summer long.

  3. Sara Welch says:

    Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Perfectly sweet and savory; easily, a new favorite recipe!

  4. Jacqueline Meldrum says:

    That marinade sounds very tasty.