50+ Grilled Chicken Dinners You Can Make All Year Long

By Cooking Light
August 17, 2018
Cooking Light
If you believe grilled chicken is best saved for summer cookouts, think again. This healthy lean protein is versatile enough to be enjoyed throughout the year. From grilled wings and thighs to bbq chicken to refreshing salads, this recipe collection is full of fresh ideas for weeknights and special occasions. Here are our favorite ways to elevate ultra-satisfying grilled chicken.
Start Slideshow

1 of 59

Tahini-Marinated Chicken Thighs With Cucumber-and-Tomato Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Tahini-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Cucumber-and-Tomato Salad

Adding tahini to the marinade makes the chicken buttery tender without an overwhelming amount of sesame flavor in the finished dish. It also helps the chicken to char nicely on the grill.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 59

Grilled Chicken Thighs With Peach Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Peach Salad

Sweet peaches and tart green tomatoes gain depth from a bit of char on the grill—and they pair beautifully with grilled chicken thighs. Look for peaches that are still slightly firm so they hold up to the heat.

3 of 59

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks With Bourbon-Cherry BBQ Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Bourbon-Cherry BBQ Sauce

This fruity, boozy take on barbecue has all the characteristics of your favorite sauce—deep caramel notes, a savory backbone, and a pleasant vinegar tang. You can sub sweet cherries for sour, adjusting the amount of honey and vinegar to taste. For a shortcut, start with 1 cup purchased unsweetened cherry juice.

Advertisement

4 of 59

Grilled Lemon Chicken Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Lemon Chicken Salad

Simple and bright, this is the kind of main that puts us in the mood for spring. If you’ve never thrown fresh lemons on the grill, try it: The slight edge of char intensifies their tartness, and they look gorgeous. The marinade is more of a wet rub since the chicken goes straight to the grill, though you could refrigerate up to a day ahead. This salad is endlessly adaptable for spring and summer vegetables: Try shaved carrot and summer squash ribbons, haricots verts, or even just a shower of fresh herbs.

5 of 59

Chicken Thighs With Ginger-Sesame Glaze

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Thighs With Ginger-Sesame Glaze

Make-ahead tip: Mix up the glaze first thing in the morning, and allow the chicken thighs to marinate all day long in the refrigerator to soak up even more flavor. After that, getting dinner on the table is as simple as heating up the grill pan.

6 of 59

Curried Grilled Chicken Thighs

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Curried Grilled Chicken Thighs

Curry paste is a flavor powerhouse, full of roasted aromatics, earthy spices, fiery chiies, and more. Yellow curry powder is commonly used in green curry paste recipes, serving as the flavor backbone; it's convenient, too, providing lots of spices in a single handy ingredient. You can substitute 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste (found near fresh herbs) for the fresh stalks; simply add right to the food processor instead of roasting. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 59

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Satay Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Breasts with Satay Sauce

We turn the traditional appetizer of chicken skewers and dipping sauce into a main course by spooning the satay sauce over sliced grilled chicken breasts.

8 of 59

Grilled Chicken and Soba Noodles With Miso Vinaigrette

Photo: Justin Walker; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Soba Noodle with Miso Vinaigrette

The vinaigrette doubles as a sauce for the noodles and a glaze before the chicken hits the grill. The noodle mixture and the chicken can also be made a couple of days ahead.

9 of 59

Mojo Grilled Chicken Breasts

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mojo Grilled Chicken Breasts

The red onions develop a nice char on the grill, but they finish cooking and develop a depth and sweetness once left to steam. Drizzle any juices from the onion mixture over the grilled chicken. Fresh cilantro and zesty lime add a refreshing brightness to this light summer meal, perfect for the whole family. For a sensitive palate, use less or omit red pepper flakes.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 59

Ultimate BBQ Chicken

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Ultimate BBQ Chicken

This chicken is wonderfully moist, with a smoky sauce that will have you firing up the grill year-round. In our ultimate BBQ makeover, we remove the skin just before the chicken finishes grilling (saving 128 calories and 2.7g sat fat per breast), then baste with a spicy-sweet sauce. The best part? You'll save 183 calories, 3g sat fat, 26g sugar, and 854mg sodium over the traditional recipe, without losing any of the flavor.

11 of 59

Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers

Photo: James Ransom
View Recipe: Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers

Over the fire, figs caramelize and take on smoky flavor. Because they will cook more quickly than the chicken, skewer the figs separately.

12 of 59

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Orzo Salad

Kelsey Hansen
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Orzo Salad

The grill is a healthy cook’s best friend, allowing you to build big flavor and crispiness with minimal added fat. Make this meal meatless by trading the chicken for steamed edamame or rinsed and drained black beans.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 59

Grilled Red Curry Chicken and Bell Peppers

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Red Curry Chicken and Bell Peppers

We use a combination of peppers for different flavor notes—mini bell peppers for sweetness and Fresnos for moderate spice. Fresnos look like red jalapeños but are less spicy; use the latter if you want more heat.

14 of 59

Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks With Tropical Fruit Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks With Tropical Fruit Salad

Time: 30 minutes

Simple Sub: Go meatless by swapping 3/4-inch-thick slices of extra-firm tofu for drumsticks. Glaze and grill 3 minutes on each side.

Serve with Curry Rice Pilaf

15 of 59

Grilled Balsamic Chicken Salad with Spiced Pecans

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Balsamic Chicken Salad

Time: 25 minutes

Get Ahead: Grill the chicken and make the spiced pecans in advance. Change up the greens, fruit, and dressing for fast lunches.

Serve with Blue Cheese Toasts

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 59

Grilled Chicken Skewers With Asian Pear Slaw

Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Skewers with Asian Pear Slaw

Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Ripple relies on fish sauce to bring a new dimension to marinades and vinaigrettes. She finds that this salty pantry staple is especially appealing in crisp salads. "Fish sauce creates this exotic Thai flavor without being overpowering," she says.

17 of 59

Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

Dinner comes together quickly with some smart convenience products. Cooked flatbreads just need a quick turn on the grill pan, a far speedier process than baking pizza dough. And rotisserie chicken is always great to keep on hand for fast, easy meals.

18 of 59

Chicken Anticuchos

Photo: Dylan + Jeni
View Recipe: Chicken Anticuchos

Over the last decade, Peruvian cuisine has come into Los Angeles' Latin American-dominated food scene, and it has come in swinging. It didn't just bring its famous sashimi-like ceviches; it also brought the Peruvian tradition of yakitori-like anticucho skewers. The brushed-on sauce, loaded with plenty of Peru's bright, fruity, yellow aji pepper, makes these skewers practically habit-forming. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Look for aji amarillo paste, a spicy Peruvian seasoning made from yellow chile peppers, in Latin markets. It's wonderful in marinades and meat rubs.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 59

Grilled Mango-Habanero Jerk Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Mango-Habanero Jerk Chicken

You probably have all the ingredients on hand to make this quick spice rub. Water or chicken stock can be substituted for rum in the mango sauce.

20 of 59

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ginger Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ginger Sauce

Flavorful chicken thighs might just be our favorite cut. Here we dress them up with a simple ginger-scallion sauce.

21 of 59

Herbed Wheat Berry and Roasted Tomato Salad With Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breasts

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Herbed Wheat Berry and Roasted Tomato Salad with Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breasts

Grill chicken breasts and cook a big batch of grains on Sunday to make for easy and healthy meals during the week. The fresh flavors of this wheat berry tomato salad pair perfectly with the chipotle chicken. If preferable, you can substitute cooked farro or barley.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 59

Spiced Grilled Chicken Thighs With Creamy Chile-Herb Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spiced Grilled Chicken Thighs With Creamy Chile-Herb Sauce

We love the contrast of the bright, herbaceous sauce with the smoky grilled chicken thighs. Serve the chicken with Grilled Sweet Potato and Bell Pepper Toss. You can spoon any remaining sauce over grilled steak or roasted potatoes, or stir into plain Greek yogurt.

23 of 59

Almond Butter Chicken Satay

Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Almond Butter Chicken Satay

Restaurant chicken satay just can't compete with our lighter and more flavorful version. Light coconut milk, lime juice, brown sugar, fish sauce, fresh ginger, and curry powder combine for a potent and highly flavorful marinade for the chicken pieces. The real magic is with the almond butter dipping sauce though. It's luxuriously creamy with a kick of garlicky heat from the Sriracha. Munch on cucumber slices to cool of your palate between dips in the sauce. To speed up prep time, add the chicken to the marinade and make the dipping sauce before you leave for work in the morning. You'll only need to skewer the chicken and grill when you get home.

24 of 59

Grilled Rosemary Chicken With Farro Risotto

Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Grilled Rosemary Chicken with Farro Risotto

Chicken and rice is a classic weeknight staple. Whole grains like quinoa, bulgur, and farro are healthier alternatives to regular white rice. In this dish, nutty farro retains a pleasant chewiness as it absorbs the flavorful stock. Porcini mushrooms and Parmesan cheese are two big sources of satisfying umami. If you have any leftover kale after you use it in this dish, make a simple kale salad side. Let it sit so the leaves soften while the chicken cooks. We like how the marinade really only needs 30 minutes to flavor the chicken, but if you want to speed up prep, you can marinate the chicken overnight in a zip-top plastic bag.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 59

Jerk Chicken with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Jerk Chicken with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Get boldly flavored meat in a fraction of the time it takes traditional recipes by skipping the daylong marinade. This dish lends huge flavor to the chicken in just an hour. Grilled fruit salsa is the ideal cool complement.

26 of 59

Salt Slab Chicken al Mattone

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Salt Slab Chicken al Mattone

Pollo al mattone (chicken grilled under a brick) is one of Italy's great gifts to global barbecue. The weight of the brick gives the chicken a crisp, compact texture.

27 of 59

Grilled Chicken With Tomato-Avocado Salad

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salad

For less heat in the dish, use regular chili powder in place of chipotle chile powder.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 59

Yogurt-Marinated Chicken With Beet Salad

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Yogurt-Marinated Chicken with Beet Salad

Tamarind lends the marinade a pleasant sweet-sour note. However, you can substitute 2 tablespoons lemon juice if tamarind paste isn't available.

29 of 59

Sizzling Chicken Fajitas

Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Sizzling Chicken Fajitas

Sometimes the best fajitas are homemade. And these truly stack up to any local Mexican restaurant’s best. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, this recipe is one you’ll turn to every time you get a craving for authentic fajita fare.

30 of 59

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kebabs

Cooking Light
View Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kebabs

The dark meat of chicken thighs stands up to the strong flavors of the marinade. If you have any leftover dressing, serve it as a dipping sauce.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 59

Spicy Moroccan Chicken Skewers

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Spicy Moroccan Chicken Skewers

Serve with hot cooked couscous. Give the couscous nutty flavor by toasting it in a hot pan before you rehydrate it.

32 of 59

Tandoori Chicken Thighs

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Tandoori Chicken Thighs

This dish pairs well with vegetables. Slice half an onion into wedges, and halve and seed six mini sweet peppers. Brush the veggies with a bit of oil, grill them, and serve with naan bread to round out the meal.

33 of 59

Grilled Chicken with Cola Sauce

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Cola Sauce

Grilled chicken gets a dose of delicious when rubbed with a smoky and sweet spice mixture and brushed with cola barbecue sauce. Don't forget to serve with a side of sauce.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 59

LA Charred Chicken

Photo: Dylan + Jeni
View Recipe: LA Charred Chicken

When cruising the streets of South and East Los Angeles, you'll be partially hypnotized by the thick fumes emanating from LA's proud charred-chicken street vendors. A one-two-punch of citrus and fearless use of eight spices give this blackened, moist chicken its addictive bite. A nice long bath in spice-laced citrus marinade lends the chicken bold flavor, tender texture, and incredible moistness. Don't fear the flame: A little light charring makes the dish sing.

Look for ground annatto seeds and ground guajillo chile powder in the spice section of Latin markets. If 3-pound chickens are unavailable, buy enough precut, bone-in, skin-on breasts, thighs, legs, and wings to equal 6 pounds.

35 of 59

Fantastic Bourbon Smoked Chicken

Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Fantastic Bourbon Smoked Chicken

To reinforce the whiskey flavor in the brine and basting butter, recipe developer and global grilling authority Steven Raichlen says to use Jack Daniel's whiskey barrel chips for smoking—widely available in grill and gourmet shops. This bird is so wonderfully moist and flavorful, it doesn't need added embellishment.

36 of 59