70 Downright Delicious Grilled Chicken Recipes for a Summer of Good Eating
My favorite season is around the corner: summer! Summer and its long, glorious days are synonymous with beautifully lazy afternoons lounging poolside, hosting endless grilling parties in the backyard, filled with laughter, fun, family and friends.
If you're a grill fanatic and have been waiting all year to dust off your grill and fire it up for a delicious meal, you're in the right place!
While the grill can be used to cook all sorts of vegetables, seafood and meat (like beef, pork and lamb), chicken is definitely a protein that you can always throw on the grill for quick, easy and affordable meals.
Related: 50 Easy Chicken Wrap Recipes That Are Rolled Up With Goodness
As we head into summer, it's always good to have a list of no-fail grilled chicken ideas on hand for a family BBQ. And since chicken tends to be a bit healthier and more affordable than other meats, I assure you that no grilling party is complete without at least a few of these grilled chicken recipes.
Related: Best Asian Chicken Recipes
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken
There are plenty of side dishes you can serve with grilled chicken, whether it's a big salad of mixed greens, grilled corn on the cob, mashed potatoes or even sweet potatoes. Chicken plays extremely well with other summer-worthy sides and main courses, so almost anything goes!
Related: Best Chicken Breast Recipes
Should You Season Chicken Before Grilling?
If you're wondering what to put on grilled chicken before it goes on the grill, the answer is whatever you fancy! While you can literally grill chicken without anything on it, a little seasoning always goes a long way.
If you're in a bit of a hurry and don't have much time before cooking, a quick sprinkle of salt and pepper will work. If you have time to prepare beforehand, you can make a marinade with mustard, honey, lemon, along with a bit of spices (think powdered garlic or onion), and then season the chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Related: 18 Crazy Good Kebab Recipes to Start Grilling Today
Best Grilled Chicken Dinner Ideas
From grilled chicken with honey mustard glaze, grilled sweet chili lime chicken, and grilled Hawaiian BBQ chicken, to skewers such as grilled sticky sweet chicken skewers, grilled chicken souvlaki and gyros, and grilled chicken shawarma, these 70 best grilled chicken recipes do not disappoint.
There are also finger food ideas such as grilled chicken and avocado street tacos, grilled chicken Cordon Bleu sandwiches and grilled tandoori chicken skewers.
Browse through these easy grilled chicken dinners for summer, pick your favorites and let's get grilling!
70 Summer Grilled Chicken Recipes
Lucy Schaeffer
Toss grilled chicken with peaches, lettuce and tomatoes to create a refreshing summer salad.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken and Peach Salad
Jon Ashton
Pounding boneless chicken breasts thin means they grill super fast. This marinade from chef Jon Ashton adds tons of flavor and keeps the white meat juicy. Add a green salad and dinner is served.
Get the recipe: Thin Grilled Garlic Chicken
Clare Barboza
This lemon grilled chicken breasts recipe couldn’t be easier. All you need are five ingredients and about 20 minutes to make this foolproof grilled chicken recipe.
Get the recipe: Lemon Grilled Chicken Breasts
Elizabeth Cecil
This grilled chicken salad recipe is a delicious way to welcome spring and the start of grilling season.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad
Getty Images
Grilled fresh peaches and chicken are topped with a mixture of peach preserves, peach nectar, red-wine vinegar and adobo sauce.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken and Peaches
Tina Rupp
This super-easy, lemony chicken is sure to be a favorite.
Get the recipe: Daddy's Grilled Chicken
Mark Boughton
Take a kid favorite, barbecue chicken, and tuck it into a tortilla. It’s full of flavor and easier for little hands to grab. Throw them on the grill for an outdoor appetizer everyone will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Grilled Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas
Tyson
For nice presentation, cut these grilled panini chicken sandwiches diagonally. Serve with pasta salad.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Panini
Con Poulos
This simple spiced chicken is tender and tangy, thanks to an easy marinade.
Get the recipe: Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken
Munchkin Time
Easy grilled chicken pita - made of Greek yogurt, pita bread, vegetables and grilled chicken. Perfect pita sandwich recipe to make and eat for lunch.
Get the recipe: Easy Grilled Chicken Pita
Let's Dish
Savory grilled chicken and Caesar salad are served up in warm flatbread in this light and easy dinner.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Caesar Flatbreads
Simply Delicious
This easy grilled chicken and vegetables recipe takes 30 minutes to make and is a delicious, healthy family dinner plus it is great for meal-prep.
Get the recipe: 30-Minute Easy Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
The Original Dish
An easy weeknight grilled chicken pasta salad to make these busy summer days a little bit better! It’s healthy, hearty, and full of classic flavors.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Closet Cooking
A Japanese style grilled skewered chicken in a sweet and salty sauce!
Get the recipe: Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers (Yakitori)
Sprinkles and Sprouts
This grilled sweet Cajun chicken is tender, juicy and packed with flavor. The perfect chicken recipe for grilling season!
Get the recipe: Sweet Cajun Chicken
Little Broken
Cheesy balsamic grilled chicken topped with basil pesto, tomato, avocado, and balsamic glaze. This easy summer recipe comes together in under 30 minutes!
Get the recipe: Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Mark Boughton
Can't wait until Taco Tuesday? Make It Fajita Friday with these grilled chicken fajitas.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Fajitas
Cooking Classy
Thai Chicken made with creamy coconut milk, vibrant fresh lime, a delicious blend of spices, a hint of sweetness, and Sambal Oeleck for an exciting spicy kick!
Get the recipe: Thai Coconut Grilled Chicken
Closet Cooking
Sweet, spicy, salty and sour, this honey chipotle chicken has it all! Chicken is marinated in a simple honey, chipotle sauce with apple cider vinegar and soy sauce, before being skewered up and grilled.
Get the recipe: Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers
Butter Your Biscuit
These sweet and spicy grilled chicken thighs are moist, flavorful, and grilled to perfection!
Get the recipe: Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs
Easy, ready in 10 minutes, and the flavor of the juicy chicken makes you feel like you’re on a tropical island! Grilled peppers on the side make for the perfect summer meal that’s healthy and delicious!
Get the recipe: Grilled Mango Pineapple Chicken
Damn Delicious
The most juicy, tender chicken with the easiest marinade. Dijon, honey, olive oil, rosemary, lemon.
Get the recipe: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders
Two Kooks in the Kitchen
You'll love this Vietnamese grilled chicken straight off the grill, in Pho, in rice bowls or in salads. The marinade permeates the chicken to make it succulent, distinctive and delicious.
Get the recipe: Vietnamese Grilled Chicken
Gimme Delicious
Learn how to make juicy and flavorful grilled chicken breasts in the air fryer in just 20 minutes! This life-changing way of cooking chicken is great on rice, salads, in sandwiches, and so much more.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breasts
Natasha's Kitchen
A quick and easy grilled cilantro lime chicken recipe. The chicken is perfectly seared on the outside and bursting with juices and flavor from the marinade on the inside.
Get the recipe: Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
The Food Charlatan
Marinated chicken thighs seasoned with lemongrass, shallot, and chili are threaded onto skewers and grilled to juicy perfection.
Get the recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Satay Skewers
Diethood
Juicy, savory-sweet brown sugar-glazed chicken thighs grilled to tender perfection!
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs with Brown Sugar Glaze
A Food Lover's Life
A bright and fresh marinade with a generous hit of lemon, garlic, and red pepper flake makes this an easy and zesty chimichurri-like combination perfect for chicken.
Get the recipe: Pesto Lemon Grilled Chicken Marinade
Paleo Running Momma
This grilled chicken Cobb salad is packed with all the goodies! Perfectly seasoned grilled chicken, crispy bacon, sliced eggs and avocado plus an easy and delicious honey dijon dressing that’s ready in under a minute!
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with Honey Dijon
Plain Chicken
Chicken marinated in whiskey, pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, garlic and pepper.
Get the recipe: Grilled Whiskey Pineapple Chicken
Life in the Lofthouse
This Huli Huli chicken is so delicious and a total must-make. It’s the first recipe you need to try when you dust off your grills!
Get the recipe: Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
The Busy Baker
This grilled chicken recipe features a delicious Asian-inspired 6-ingredient chicken marinade made with soy sauce and fresh ginger.
Get the recipe: Ginger Soy Grilled Chicken
Vindulge
When you’re craving wings, but need to eat more salad, this healthy grilled buffalo chicken salad recipe satisfies all your wing cravings, without the guilt.
Get the recipe: Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
Pups with Chopsticks
Smoky grilled chicken skewers recipe marinated in ginger, garlic, coconut cream, and soy sauce. Then finished with a sweet coconut cream glaze and served with a simple peanut sauce. Big on flavor, super easy to throw together!
Get the recipe: Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers
Joyful Healthy Eats
Tender chicken marinated in a sweet balsamic sauce then skewered with fresh vegetables and grilled to perfection. You can’t beat this healthy dinner idea – it’s a summer grilling must!
Get the recipe: Balsamic Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Dinner at the Zoo
This chicken shawarma is tender chicken thighs coated in a flavorful marinade, then grilled or roasted to golden brown perfection. Slice the chicken and serve it with flatbread for a hearty and delicious meal.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Closet Cooking
Fresh and tasty balsamic marinated grilled chicken topped with melting fresh mozzarella, ripe tomato and plenty of basil!
Get the recipe: Caprese Balsamic Grilled Chicken
The Recipe Critic
Grilled California avocado chicken is tender chicken marinated in an amazing honey garlic balsamic sauce and is grilled to perfection! Topped with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese and avocados, tomatoes, and basil, this chicken is incredible!
Get the recipe: Grilled California Avocado Chicken
Once Upon a Chef
These grilled chicken kabobs marinated in a yogurt, lemon, garlic, and spices are a huge crowd pleaser.
Get the recipe: Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs
RecipeTin Eats
The marinade for this chicken is true to the authentic Thai grilled chicken (Gai Yang).
Get the recipe: Thai Grilled Chicken Gai Yang
Two Peas and Their Pod
This easy grilled honey mustard chicken recipe is bursting with tangy, savory, and sweet flavor! Make it on the grill during the summertime, or bake it in the oven. You will love this juicy chicken!
Get the recipe: Easy Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
Whole and Heavenly Oven
Hands down the best grilled tandoori chicken skewers you will ever throw on the grill this summer. The secret is in the super flavorful long marinade and homemade tzatziki sauce.
Get the recipe: The Best Grilled Tandoori Chicken Skewers
The Life Jolie
Grilled lemon pepper chicken drumsticks are exactly what your summer grilling dreams are made of. They're so easy to make and have deliciously crispy and flavorful skin on the outside and perfectly tender meat on the inside!
Get the recipe: Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
Half Baked Harvest
These Middle Eastern-inspired chicken skewers are the homemade “street food” you need in your life. Spicy marinated grilled chicken skewers, served with homemade golden fries, creamy garlic white sauce, and summer cherry tomatoes.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Shawarma with Golden Butter Fries and Garlic Sauce
Recipe Runner
Caprese grilled chicken salad is a quick and easy main dish salad that’s perfect for summer! You’ll love the addition of the grilled balsamic marinated chicken and the creamy pesto dressing!
Get the recipe: Caprese Grilled Chicken Salad
Kitchen Swagger
Grilled chicken served with a tangy, Argentinian herb-based sauce made with fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, and spices.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Skewers
Foodie Crush
A simple marinade with two kinds of balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs, and grainy mustard gives this grilled balsamic chicken topped with an easy olive and sun-dried tomato tapenade a classic Mediterranean flavor zing.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Balsamic Chicken and Olive Tapenade
Simply Scratch
Grilled sticky sweet chicken skewers are just that- sticky and deliciously sweet! Cubed chicken breast, tossed in a ginger-garlic sauce and then threaded onto skewers and grilled.
Get the recipe: Grilled Sticky Sweet Chicken Skewers
Le Creme de La Crumb
This super easy, grilled chicken margherita is incredibly tasty and is ready in less than 30 minutes! Start with savory herb chicken and top it with with melty mozzarella cheese, pesto, and tomato basil garnish for a rave-worthy, quick and simple weeknight dinner.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Margherita
Healthy Fitness Meals
This easy chicken burrito bowl recipe is loaded with juicy grilled chicken, corn, beans, and other fun toppings. They are healthy, easy to make, filling and better than Chicken Burritos from chipotle.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl
Skinny Taste
Grilled chicken topped with spinach, melted mozzarella and roasted peppers – a quick and easy chicken dish your family will love!
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Melted Mozzarella
The Pioneer Woman
A scrumptious creamy lemon pasta flavored with basil and served with grilled chicken. Delish!
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta
Self-Proclaimed Foodie
Jalapeño honey lime grilled chicken is the perfect summer dinner with a little bit of sweet, the perfect hint of sour, and the perfect amount of heat.
Get the recipe: Jalapeño Honey Lime Grilled Chicken
The Recipe Critic
Perfectly grilled tender and juicy chicken marinated in a honey lime cilantro marinade. The flavor of this chicken is incredible!
Get the recipe: Grilled Honey Lime Cilantro Chicken
Salt and Lavender
These grilled honey mustard chicken skewers are sure to become a family BBQ favorite this summer! The 3-ingredient marinade is super easy and tastes amazing.
Get the recipe: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Skewers
Craving Tasty
Super easy, super quick and lip-smacking delicious, kickin' grilled chicken legs. It takes only 5 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
Get the recipe: Kickin' Grilled Chicken Legs
Cooking Classy
Corn tortillas layered with charred and tender, cilantro-lime marinated grilled chicken thighs and they’re finished with creamy avocados.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken and Avocado Street Tacos
Joyful Healthy Eats
Juicy smoky chicken thighs slathered in an easy honey Sriracha glaze that will make you swoon!
Get the recipe: Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Thighs
Perry's Plate
This grilled Moroccan chicken has the best and easiest marinade! Don't forget to make the garlic sauce. It totally makes this meal spectacular!
Get the recipe: Grilled Moroccan Chicken with Garlic Sauce
The Cookie Rookie
This grilled chicken cordon bleu sandwich is so easy and so full of flavor! Kick your sandwich game up a notch with layers of grilled chicken, creamy swiss, honey ham, and buttered bread.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich
The Recipe Critic
Grilled Hawaiian BBQ chicken is quick and easy and the flavor is amazing! Serving it over grilled pineapple makes the presentation colorful and impressive. This meal is sure to be a hit!
Get the recipe: Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Platings and Pairings
Grilled mango chicken features a sweet and spicy mango lime marinade that caramelizes perfectly on a hot grill. It’s perfect for your summer BBQ.
Get the recipe: Grilled Mango Chicken
The Recipe Critic
Grilled Hawaiian barbecue chicken in foil has the most amazing sweet and tangy pineapple barbecue sauce! It grills to perfection with sweet pineapple and delicious summer veggies!
Get the recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken in Foil
Closet Cooking
A tasty Mediterranean lemon, garlic and oregano skewered grilled chicken that is perfect in pitas, in salads or right off the stick.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Souvlaki and Gyros
Grilled pineapple, avocados, cilantro, and the best teriyaki vinaigrette turn this grilled teriyaki chicken salad into a hearty and tasty meal you’ll put on repeat all summer long!
Get the recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Salad
Kitchen Sanctuary
This Cajun chicken with coriander and lime rice is packed with juicy griddled Cajun chicken with veggies and rice – ready in 30 minutes!
Get the recipe: Cajun Chicken with Coriander and Lime Rice
Cooking Classy
This grilled chicken with honey mustard glaze is about as easy as dinner gets. It requires minimal ingredients and since it's cooked on the grill clean up is super easy.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze
The Recipe Critic
Delicious and easy grilled chicken with a sweet chili lime glaze. The flavor is amazing and will be one of the best things you grill this summer!
Get the recipe: Grilled Sweet Chili Lime Chicken
Carlsbad Cravings
This pineapple chicken is wonderfully juicy, and bursting with flavor from a marinade that doubles as a glaze for no double work!
Get the recipe: Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
Le Creme de La Crumb
The best grilled chicken tacos marinade makes these the ultimate, healthy grilled tacos you’ll ever make!
Get the recipe: The Best Grilled Chicken Tacos Marinade
Up next: How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
