During grilling season, I make this Grilled Chicken for my family at least once a week. It’s one of those simple recipes that works for even the pickiest eaters! I brine large chicken breasts, then coat them in a sweet and savory spice rub to create the juiciest grilled chicken you’ve ever tasted! Everyone at my house loves this chicken, and the delicious char from grilling takes the flavor to the next level.
Juicy grilled chicken is a staple at my house this time of year. I never have to worry if my picky toddler will finish her dinner or if my husband will go back for seconds. It’s one of the magical recipes that’s a winner every time. The best part is, the leftovers are great to use in just about every Budget Bytes chicken salad recipe we have on the blog which makes lunches the rest of the week a no-brainer. To top it all off, using the grill means my house isn’t sweltering hot in the middle of the summer! Need I say more?
Here’s what you’ll need to make grilled chicken:
- Chicken: I like large boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. They’re easy to divide in half and pound nice and thin for a tender bite. I grabbed a 2-pack that weighed in at 1.61 lbs. so there was plenty of chicken for everyone.
- Brine: A simple mixture of kosher salt, granulated sugar, and water infuses the chicken with flavor, helps to combat moisture loss, and makes the meat super tender.
- Spice Rub: A blend of salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and brown sugar creates a savory, spicy, and smoky flavor with just a hint of sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this grilled chicken sliced over a fresh green salad, but it’s truly so versatile! Lemon butter green beans, cheesy broccoli rice, or grilled vegetable pasta salad would all be delicious with this tasty chicken recipe. A light drizzle of Homemade Balsamic Glaze can take your grilled chicken to the next level!
- Make sure to use kosher salt for the brine. The flat, flaky crystals dissolve extremely well in water and creates a crystal-clear brine.
- Don’t skip the brown sugar; it helps develop that beautiful char.
- Putting the smooth part of the breast down on the grill first helps ensure you get those glorious grill marks on the top! So, start with the smooth side down to ensure you get some sexy grill marks on that bird!
- If your chicken is sticking to the grill, allow it to cook for another minute or two. It should lift off easily when you flip.
Storage Instructions
I recommend storing leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap individual chicken breasts in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Our Favorite Cost effective grill
When I was looking for a grill for us to use in the Budget Bytes kitchen, I wanted one that was easy to find, simple to set up, easy to clean, and didn’t make me miss my charcoal grill. I went with the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Grill after contemplating a few different ones that would be widely available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
The cheapest grill option I found was a simple and small camping charcoal grill. That’s also a great option if you want to grill outside, get that smokier grill flavor, and don’t mind keeping charcoal on hand.
The Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Grill we ended up deciding on comes with a grill top and a flat top, so it’s perfect as a quick, clean option for grilling at home or even in an RV/camper. (I have since bought one for my chef kit and my in-laws bought one for their camper!)
Grilled Chicken
I brine large chicken breasts, then coat them in a sweet and savory spice rub to create the juiciest grilled chicken you’ve ever tasted!
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- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts* ($8.03)
Brine Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup kosher salt ($0.14)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar ($0.18)
- 2 quarts water ($0.00)
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Create your wet brine: Combine 1/4 cup kosher salt and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in 2 quarts of cold water. Whisk to combine.
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With a fork, poke holes all over the chicken breasts and then transfer to a Ziplock bag. Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch with a tenderizing mallet or rolling pin inside a Ziplock bag.
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Pour the wet brine into the Ziplock bag with the tenderized chicken breasts. Close the bag and allow it to brine at room temperature for 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
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Make the seasoning blend by combining the salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and brown sugar in a bowl.
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Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, pat dry on both sides with paper towels, drizzle with olive oil, and rub with the seasoning blend on both sides.
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Preheat grill to 475°F. Note: If you are using an indoor grill, we found putting the chicken on the grill while it’s preheating helps get the middle of the breast to temperature in a timely manner and keeps the outside from overcooking and burning. If your chicken has been in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes before starting the grilling process.
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Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temp reads between 155-160°F. The chicken will continue to cook while it’s resting (because it’s so hot and juicy!) so you can remove it a little early, just make sure it reaches the internal temperature of 165°F while resting, or you may need to throw it back on the grill for a couple more minutes.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
*For this recipe, 1 serving = 6 ounces per person. 3-4 ounces is a typical serving size for chicken, but I was generous and went with 6 ounces per person for this recipe… so you could easily stretch it further if you needed to!
Serving: 6ouncesCalories: 253kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 36gFat: 5gSodium: 7877mgFiber: 1g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
how to make Grilled Chicken – step by step photos
Create your wet brine: Combine 1/4 cup kosher salt and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in 2 quarts of cold water. Whisk to combine.
With a fork, poke holes all over 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts and then transfer to a Ziplock bag. Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch with a tenderizing mallet or rolling pin inside a Ziplock bag.
Pour the wet brine into the Ziplock bag with the tenderized chicken breasts. Close the bag and allow it to brine at room temperature for 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Make the seasoning blend by combining 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp brown sugar in a bowl.
Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, pat dry on both sides with paper towels, drizzle with olive oil, and rub with the seasoning blend on both sides.
Preheat grill to 475°F. Note: If you are using an indoor grill, we found putting the chicken on the grill while it’s preheating helps get the middle of the breast to temperature in a timely manner and keeps the outside from overcooking and burning. If your chicken has been in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes before starting the grilling process.
Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temp reads between 155-160°F. The chicken will continue to cook while it’s resting (because it’s so hot and juicy!) so you can remove it a little early, just make sure it reaches the internal temperature of 165°F while resting, or you may need to throw it back on the grill for a couple more minutes.
Juicy, tender, and full of flavor, this grilled chicken is a winner every time!
