This is the best grilled chicken you will ever eat. I prepared it for my family and it was a wild hit. I can't entirely claim the recipe. I borrowed some ideas from others.
Grilled Chicken Chick fil A
As a resident of the greater-Atlanta metro area, I'm obligated to use a trick perfected by Chicken Chick-fil-A. At least that is the rumor.
Dill Pickle Brine (Optional)
Chick-fil-A's boneless chicken breasts are rumored to be soaked in dill pickle juice. Several sources say this is not true; the dill flavor comes from the pickle. Nevertheless, my family loves the flavor of a Chick-fil-A sandwich or grilled nuggets, and they swear the pickle brine creates that flavor.
On a side note, my wife hates pickles, but loves the chicken brined in pickle juice. The flavor is subtle. You don't need to do this, but I recommend it.
Related: Follow our Food page for weekly family meal plan ideas.
Grilled Chicken Recipe
Yield: 4 servings
Grilled Chicken Ingredients 🧂
✔️ Optional: Pickle juice (enough to brine the chicken, water down if needed)
✔️ ½ cup mayonnaise
✔️ ½ cup Dijon mustard
✔️ 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
✔️ Garlic salt and black pepper
✔️ 1-2 teaspoons thyme leaves or dried thyme
✔️ 1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, patted dry
Grilled Chicken Preparation 👨🍳
➡️ Step 1
✔️ Brine the chicken in pickle juice for 24 hours.
➡️ Step 2
✔️ Heat a grill to 300 degrees.
✔️ Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, thyme leaves, and garlic in a bowl and add garlic salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
✔️ Transfer half the sauce to a small bowl.
✔️ Smother the chicken with the half of the sauce.
➡️ Step 3
✔️ Let sit for at least 15 minutes. It works best to put it on the grill at room temperature.
➡️ Step 4
✔️ Clean the grill grates.
✔️ Add the chicken to the grill over direct heat. Cook for 6 minutes on each side, then flip until done.
✔️ The mayonnaise insulates and prevents sticking, and the mustard tenderizes and caramelizes.
Grilled Chicken Ideas for Dinner
You can simply eat it straight off the grill. It is mouth watering and insanely juicy. I'll probably do that the next time I make it and pair it with a grilled skewer of vegetables.
Grilled Chicken for Sandwiches
"This is the best chicken sandwich I have ever had!"
You do not need condiments, but the bread matters (a lot). I highly recommend brioche buns bettered and lightly fried on one side or on the grill. You don't want to burn the bread, but the butter should be melted deeply into it.
Grilled Chicken Salad
Cut up the grilled chicken and toss it with the remaining sauce. Serve over a bed of romaine lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and fresh parmesan cheese with a splash of lemon. Just add the chicken.
Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad
Romaine lettuce with croutons, shaved parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Just add the chicken.
Grilled Chicken Skewers
These grilled chicken skewers would pair nicely over a bed of rice.
Grilled Chicken Wrap
Add the grilled chicken to a large flour tortilla and any combination of the following: lettuce leaves, tomatoes, red onions, shredded cheese, or avocado slices.
FAQs
When to flip grilled chicken
Flip the chicken after 6 minutes assuming the grill temperature is set at 300 degrees. After it is cooked once on each side for six minutes, flip it every few minutes, if needed, until it is ready.
When to season grilled chicken
For grilled chicken you want to keep moist, season the chicken just prior to putting it on the grill.
Grilled chicken temperature
It is recommended by the USDA that chicken be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Grilled chicken grill temperature
300 degrees
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