50 Sizzling Grilled Chicken Recipes to Try This Summer (2024)

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Saucy barbecue drumsticks, juicy marinated thighs and smoky kabobs taste even better with those irresistible char lines. These grilled chicken recipes make summer cookouts sizzle.

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Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

For a grilled chicken recipe that’s simple and delicious, look no further than this huli huli chicken recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to prep, then an overnight marinade locks in those brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce flavors.

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This dish is a reader favorite—as are these other chicken recipes from the past year.

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Kentucky Grilled Chicken

Sure, you’ve heard of Kentucky fried chicken. But this Kentucky grilled chicken is equally delicious. We love that it requires just a handful of common ingredients and a mere five minutes of prep time.

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Grilled Lime Chicken

Lime lovers, this grilled chicken recipe is for you. Lime juice, green onions and fresh dill give this easy recipe a bright, fresh flavor. Enjoy it on its own, or chopped up and served in salads or tacos.

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Chicken Souvlaki Pitas

Go Greek! These chicken souvlaki pitas make for a light, delicious meal that’s perfect for summer. Enjoy this grilled chicken recipe on the patio or as part of a picnic.

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Peanut Butter Chicken Skewers

Peanut butter gets a chance to shine in this simple grilled chicken recipe. We love this dish’s rich, savory flavor that shines on its own or when paired with rice.

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Grilled Caesar Chicken Breasts

This grilled chicken recipe may just be the easiest dinner you ever make. A bottle of creamy Caesar salad dressing—plus pantry staples like olive oil, mustard and garlic—transform boneless skinless chicken breasts into a savory, effortless meal.

If you have leftover meat, use it up in these easy chicken breast recipes.

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Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

For a meal that rivals a restaurant, look no further than this teriyaki grilled chicken recipe. We love that it’s an easy meal for two, and that it takes just 15 minutes to prep. Serve it with your favorite takeout side, like lo mein noodles, fried rice or egg rolls.

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Margarita Chicken

Guests will be shocked when you tell them the secret to this grilled chicken recipe is none other than margarita mix. It gives the chicken breast a tangy, citrusy flavor that can’t be beat. Pro Tip: Buy an extra can of mix and make actual margaritas to go along with this summer meal.

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Grilled Chicken Salad

For a healthier grilled chicken option, try this no-fuss salad. It gets a hearty bite from cooked pasta, crunch from fresh veggies and tons of flavor from a dill-based dressing. Yum! Feel free to customize this recipe by swapping out the produce for your favorite picks. Corn, avocado, fresh tomatoes—add any veggies you’d like!

For more tasty ideas, check out these 5-star chicken recipes.

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Barbecued Chicken Salad Sandwiches

No picnic is complete without this fuss-free barbecued chicken salad. Prep takes just 15 minutes, making this grilled chicken recipe almost as easy as picking up store-bought sammies. Serve ’em with potato chips and fresh fruit.

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Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwiches

Basic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma

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Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad

This pretty spinach salad topped with grilled chicken, strawberries and almonds features a delectably sweet poppy seed dressing. Made in moments, the dish is a refreshing lunch or light supper. —Ginger Ellsworth, Caldwell, Idaho

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Grilled Glazed Drummies

My family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland

Pit-masters, listen up. You’ll appreciate these other tasty grilling recipes.

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Grilled Lemon Chicken

My chicken gets its subtle pucker from lemonade concentrate. So simple, so sweet! —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota

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Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers

This is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I've ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa

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Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

I created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this tends to release the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

This delicious tastes like summer, as do these warm-weather grilling recipes.

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Ramen-Veggie Chicken Salad

Like a salad with plenty of crunch? Then this refreshing recipe is sure to please. Toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping. The chicken makes it a main dish. —Linda Gearhart, Greensboro, North Carolina

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Cinnamon Whiskey BBQ Chicken Wraps

Chicken, bacon, cheese and an amazing barbecue sauce make this a family favorite! The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire

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Bratwurst and Chicken Kabobs

I made these lively chicken kabobs as a thank-you gift while visiting my relatives in Norway They loved eating them almost as much as I loved cooking for them! If you prefer less heat in the chutney, you can use honey in place of pepper jelly. Also, any variety of vegetables will work with these. —Anna Davis, Springfield, Missouri

Need more inspiration? Anyone can master these easy grilling recipes.

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Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Butter

This grilled chicken gets a lovely pop of color and flavor from the lime butter—don't skip it! —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

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Shiitake-Chicken Sliders

My husband and I love Asian cuisine. One of our favorite things to order at a Thai restaurant is chicken satay skewers with spicy peanut sauce. These chicken sliders are a fun variation on the skewers. They're moist and flavorful with the addition of shiitake mushrooms, and topped with the spicy-sweet peanut sauce and tangy cucumber slices. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada

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Margarita Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas have never tasted as good as when they are filled with slightly sweet onions and peppers and topped with lime butter and salt. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. This version is the perfect recipe for a summer party—or a fantastic way to bring a little bit of summer into the cold winter months. —Stephanie Bright, Simpsonville, South Carolina

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Herbed Balsamic Chicken

Our kitchen is tiny and cramped, so we try to grill simple (but tasty) meals outside as often as possible during the summer months. Dried herbs work as well, but during the summer use fresh herbs for the best taste. —Kelly Evans, Denton, Texas

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Chicken Ole Foil Supper

These Tex Mex–style chicken packets can be assembled ahead and frozen if you like. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then grill as directed. I like to serve them with warm tortillas and fresh fruit on the side. —Mary Peck, Salina, Kansas

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Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado Sauce

I’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

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Tropical Island Chicken

The marinade makes a savory statement in this all-time-favorite chicken recipe that I served at our son's pirate-themed birthday party. It smelled so good on the grill that guests could hardly wait to try a piece! —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee

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Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs

When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada

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Can-Can Chicken

Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Drumsticks

Bottled hot sauce isn't my thing, so I developed a fresh pepper glaze for grilled chicken. These drumsticks practically fly off the plate. —Kristeen DeVorss, Farmington, New Mexico

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Grilled Cherry-Glazed Chicken Wings

When I take these grilled wings to events, there are never any leftovers! Friends and family love them. —Ashley Gable, Atlanta, Georgia

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Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine

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Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes

Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania

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Favorite Barbecued Chicken

Is there a place better than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? That’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia

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Spinach and Mushroom Smothered Chicken

Chicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It's extra special to serve but is not tricky to make. —Katrina Wagner, Grain Valley, Missouri

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Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs

This is my husband’s favorite "special day" meal. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina

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Tandoori Spiced Chicken Pita Pizza with Greek Yogurt and Cilantro

My family and I are big picnickers, and I'm always looking for new dishes to try in the great outdoors. The amazing flavors at our favorite Indian restaurant inspired these mini pizzas. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

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Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard Chicken

I came up with this recipe in college and it's been a household staple ever since. It's a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Berry Chicken Salad

Bright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

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Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken

I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio

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Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa

To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

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Rhubarb-Apricot Barbecued Chicken

Springtime brings back memories of the rhubarb that grew beside my childhood home. When I found ruby red stalks in the store, I created this recipe for them. My family gives this a big thumbs up. —Laurie Hudson, Westville, Florida

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Lip-Smackin' BBQ Chicken

The kids always say “prepare to lick your lips” when we have friends over for barbecue chicken. I’m proud of this dish, the first recipe I ever created. —Sue Thomas, Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Caribbean Chicken

You'd be hard-pressed to find a marinade this flavorful at any store! Add or subtract the jalapenos to suit your crew's taste, and you'll be grilling a new family favorite before you know it. — Rusty Collins, Orlando, Florida

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Barbecued Picnic Chicken

I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland

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Apple Thyme Chicken

Apples and chicken may seem like an unusual combination, but they make a wonderful meal when grilled to perfection. The thyme chicken marinade gives a boost of flavor and tenderizes the meat nicely. —Peter Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas

As deputy editor for Taste of Home magazine, Rachel has her hand in everything you see from cover to cover, from writing and editing articles to taste-testing recipes to ensuring every issue is packed with fun and fabulous content. She'll roll up her sleeves to try any new recipe in the kitchen—from spicy Thai dishes (her favorite!) to classic Southern comfort food (OK...also her favorite). When she's not busy thinking of her next meal, Rachel can be found practicing yoga, going for a run, exploring National Parks and traveling to new-to-her cities across the country.

As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.