I've been making these Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts for years and it's now become my go-to chicken dish in the summer. They're tender, juicy and packed with all the delicious flavor from sitting in a tangy marinade for hours. You won't want to grill chicken any other way.
My mother has been making these marinated, grilled chicken breasts for years and it is always a winner. I love serving chicken when entertaining because it's inexpensive and easy. Plus, I know kids and adults will eat it.
I serve it along side of my Kale Caesar Salad with a pitcher of Margaritas. Do this and I promise, you'll be the hostess with the mostest every time.
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How to Grill Perfectly Juicy Chicken Breasts
Grilling chicken breasts are easy to prepare but if handled wrong, can turn out rubbery and dry.
A highly effective technique I've been using a lot is to marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for several hours or overnight. This simple step significantly enhances the flavor of the chicken.
The Importance of Marinating
Italian dressing is an easy marinade because its a balanced combination of oil, vinegar, and herbs. These ingredients work together to add such a rich depth of flavor to the chicken, while also making sure it remains moist during cooking.
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How Long To Marinate?
Marinating the chicken for a few hours, or ideally overnight, allows the flavors to thoroughly penetrate the meat. Additionally, the acidic component of the dressing helps to tenderize the chicken, promoting a succulent texture.
Marinating longer than 24 hours will break down the chicken too much and it will eventually turn mushy. Not what we want.
Preparing the Chicken
An essential step in preparing chicken breasts for the grill is to pound them to an even thickness. Chicken breasts naturally vary in thickness, which can result in uneven cooking and lead to dry, overcooked sections. By pounding the breasts to a consistent size, you ensure uniform cooking, which results in a tender and juicy outcome.
Avoiding Overcooking
Given that chicken breasts are a lean cut of meat, it is important to avoid overcooking or the meat will dry out. To prevent this, grill the chicken over medium-high heat for approximately 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on its thickness.
The optimal internal temperature for chicken is 165°F, and using a meat thermometer is recommended to ensure accuracy. I always take the chicken off at around 160°F because it will continue to cook for a bit after it's off the grill. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing, which helps retain its juices.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled chicken breasts are very versatile and can be served in many ways:
- Caesar Salad: Slice the grilled chicken and serve it atop a bed of romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing for a classic dish.
- Sandwich or Slider: Place the chicken on a bun, accompanied by toppings such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, or mayonnaise, for a simple yet satisfying sandwich or slider.
- Main Course: Serve the chicken as a primary dish, paired with sides like grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a light pasta salad.
📖 Recipe
The Best Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-4 lbs chicken breasts (*see note)
- 1 bottle Italian dressing, I like Wishbone
Instructions
- Lay chicken breasts onto a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap allowing at least 3 inches overlap. (We want to prevent juices from splattering!)
- Use your meat mallet to pound out the chicken in the thicker areas. The idea is to smash it down so the breast is uniform in thickness. Don't pound them TOO thin and don't use the prickly end, use the flat end of your mallet!
- Repeat with the other chicken breasts.
- Your chicken will have enlarged at this point so now would be the time to cut the breasts into individual portions.
- Add all of you chicken to a large bowl along with the Italian dressing. The amount will depend on how much chicken you use. Just make sure your chicken is thoroughly covered. (Know you can't you too much dressing.)Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready, preheat your grill over medium-high heat. When the grates are nice and hot, add your chicken. Don't touch them for 4-5 minutes. The marinade may increase the flames so turn down the heat if needed until they subside.
- After 4-5 minutes, or when the chicken has nice char marks and it turns white in color, flip. Cook another 4-5 minutes or until the chicken reaches 360℉. It will continue to cook as it sits.
- Let the chicken rest in a shallow bowl. Serve warm.
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