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Perfect Grilled Chicken Breasts Recipe

This Perfect Grilled Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. The simple balsamic-Dijon marinade adds just the right amount of flavor without overpowering the chicken, making it perfect for salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, wraps, or an easy weeknight dinner alongside your favorite sides.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time14 minutes
Marinate Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 24 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: how to grill the perfect chicken breast, perfect grilled chicken, perfect grilled chicken breast
Method: Grill
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons good-quality balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. If the chicken breasts are very thick, carefully butterfly them by slicing horizontally through the center, stopping before cutting all the way through, and opening them like a book. Cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. If the chicken breasts aren't too thick to begin with, simply pound them until they are an even thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly and stay juicy.
  • Make the marinade: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, sea salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
  • Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat the grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400 to 450°F, and lightly oil the grates.
  • Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, flipping once halfway through cooking.
  • Check the temperature: Using an instant-read meat thermometer, check the temperature in the thickest part of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the grill when it reaches 165°F. Don't skip the meat thermometer — it's the easiest and most reliable way to ensure perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every single time.
  • Rest and serve: Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Tips for Perfect Grilled Chicken:
  • Pounding the chicken to an even thickness is one of the biggest secrets to juicy grilled chicken that cooks evenly.
  • Marinate for the full 2 hours if possible for the best flavor.
  • If your chicken breasts are especially large, cutting them in half after cooking can make serving easier.
  • Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and are perfect for meal prep, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and grain bowls.
  • Topping with my chimichurri after is always a great idea!
Storage: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 592mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg