Tender and juicy Grilled Chicken Breast with easy 30 minute marinade and simple ingredients. This healthy clean chicken recipe is a summer BBQ staple!

Instant Pot chicken breast or oven baked chicken breast are always on our winter dinner table. Come summer, this grilled chicken recipe becomes a favorite in our healthy grill recipes rotation!

Grilled chicken breast sliced on a cutting board.

The best grilled chicken breast that is moist and flavorful without spending hours marinating your chicken first! If I don’t have time to marinate anything in a Ziploc bag overnight, it means neither do you.

You will be amazed how tender this perfectly grilled chicken turns out regardless of the length of marinating time.

During cooler months I get into a habit of making a batch of air fryer chicken breast. In summer, throwing the most expensive cut of chicken on a grill is the answer to the never ending question “What’s for dinner?”!

Serve alongside whole wheat pasta with Instant Pot corn on the cob or use the leftovers in healthy chicken salad or healthy chicken tacos.

How to Make the Marinade for Grilled Chicken Breast

Olive oil, chicken breasts, lemon, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper.

I’m Ukrainian and believe simple ingredients make food shine. With this easy recipe, you don’t have to marinate chicken long and you are well on your way to a fast grilled chicken dinner. That’s it!

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Oil: I like extra virgin olive oil as it enhances the flavor when used in a marinade.
  • Lemon: You will need a fresh lemon as you will be using both the zest and juice. The acidic juice helps tenderize the meat.
  • Garlic: Freshly grated will bring out the best flavor!
  • Seasonings: Oregano, salt and pepper for additional taste.

How to Grill Chicken Breast

This easy recipe features thinly sliced grilled chicken breasts that can be served in multiple ways for dinnertime. We love serving it with Russian potato salad for a summertime feast!

Raw chicken breasts with knife sliced thin.

Cut boneless chicken breasts into halves lengthwise to make them thinner. No need to pound your chicken breast!

Chicken breast marinating in black container.

Place thinly sliced chicken breast in a large bowl along with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest, oregano, salt and pepper. Then stir with tongs.

How long to marinate chicken breast? As little as 30 minutes to as long as 24 hours. This allows enough time for the marinade to flavor and tenderize your meat.

Over 24 hours and you risk your meat being mushy as the fibers continue to break down.

Two chicken breasts on the grill.

Preheat grill on medium-high (450-500 degrees F) and rub with oiled paper towel. Place chicken on the grill, close the lid and grill chicken breasts for 8-10 minutes turning once. Do not overcook.

Chicken is done when meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F. Or I usually cut in with a knife and if juices are no longer pink.

Cook meat covered so it cooks through with nice grill marks.

A towel covering a dish.

Remove from the grill, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to settle inside the meat and not outside on our plate. Making juicy chicken!

Grilled chicken breast sliced on salad with poppy seed dressing, berries, cashews, and onion.

How Long to Grill Chicken Breast?

For best results, preheat your grill for 10-15 minutes so that it reaches an optimal heat of 450-500 degrees F. At this temperature, it should only take 8-10 minutes to grill your meat.

Be sure to grill chicken covered and flip your meat, halfway through cooking so that it cooks evenly. When chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees F, it is done.

Immediately after you take it off the grill, cover and let it rest, this allows juices to sink back into the chicken.

When using the methods outline in this post, your chicken will not turn out dry.

How to Use Grilled Chicken?

More FAQs

Why is my grilled chicken tough?

Your grill may have been too hot, or you have overcooked your chicken. To save it, jazz it up with some mango salsa or pineapple jalapeno salsa.

Can I use this method for other cuts of chicken?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs if you love dark and more fatty meat. You may love this list of 65 clean eating chicken recipes!

What to serve with grilled chicken?

Traditional picnic sides are always summertime favorites like healthy potato salad, healthy broccoli salad, or Instant Pot baked beans.

We also love to serve it with grilled pita and chickpea salad with avocado, as pictured below.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate grilled chicken in an airtight container. Chicken breast dries out fast, so tight container is key.

It is perfect for meal prep paired with healthy Caesar salad and tastes amazing even cold. We snuck grandma’s ground chicken burgers cold from the fridge all the time.

For reheating, I recommend only microwave. Again, if you place breast in the oven to reheat, it will dry out. Or again, try cold cooked chicken and it might be your new favorite too.

Freezer Friendly Tips

I can’t imagine ever having cooked chicken leftovers because 3 boys in the house. But if you are lucky enough to get to that point, freeze in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.

You don’t even have to thaw it too long. Just place frozen cooked chicken in the lunchbox in the morning and by lunchtime warmed up in a microwave, it is good as fresh.

More Healthy Grilled Chicken Recipes

Or pick from any of these easy chicken marinades and never run out of ideas! Browse all my healthy grill recipes for more summertime dining.

Grilled chicken breast with chickpea salad and pita bread served in a bowl with a fork.
Sliced grilled chicken breast on cutting board.

Easy Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast

Tender and juicy Grilled Chicken Breast with easy 30 minute marinade and simple ingredients.
5 from 10 votes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 222
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients 
 

  • 2-3 lbs boneless & skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 large lemon zest and juice of
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves grated
  • 2 tsp oregano dried
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Cut chicken breasts into halves lengthwise to make them thinner. Place in a large bowl along with lemon zest and juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Stir with tongs and let sit for 30 minutes or marinate for up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat grill on medium-high (450-500 degrees F) and rub with oiled paper towel. Place chicken on the grill, close the lid and grill for 8-10 minutes turning once. Do not overcook.
  • Remove from the grill, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with a side of grain and salad, use in salads or perfect for a meal prep.

Video

Notes

Recipe originally posted in 2018. We have improved the recipe and photos, hence video will show an older version of the recipe.
  • Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • For reheating: I recommend only microwave. Again, if you place breast in the oven to reheat, it will dry out. Or try it cold!
  • Citrus: Lime will work instead of lemon.
  • Other herbs: Dried rosemary or basil would be good too.
  • Leftover marinade: Always discard chicken marinade.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 370mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Olena, love your recipes, thanks for sharing. Just wondering what the veggie mix or salad is next to the chicken? Is there a recipe for that?

  2. 5 stars
    Made this last night and it turned out great! Chicken tender and juicy…great flavor. Thanks for the recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    I made these for dinner last week to go with twice baked spinach stuffed potatoes. They were great and everyone liked them enough that I am making them again this week. I was not able to grill them but I made them in my skillet and they turned out pretty good regardless.

  4. 5 stars
    I’m on a high protein, no starch, grain, or dairy diet. It’s hard finding recipes. I cooked your chicken tonight along with your mashed cauliflower. Both were delicious. We couldn’t believe how much the cauliflower tasted like mashed potatoes. Thank you!

  5. 5 stars
    I’d never grilled chicken myself on the grill. This recipe is exactly what I was looking for! Delicious and simple! Your philosophy about getting it done in the easiest and fastest way is what I wanted. I will be returning for more recipes. Thinking about that instant pot beef stew. Thank you! 🙂

    1. Yay! Right?! Why marinate with so many spices and steps for hours…that’s when I stop cooking. Simple and easy. Yes, let me know how you like that pretty please!

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