Grilled Chicken Favorites

By Southern Living

Turn to chicken thighs, breasts, and wings for great grilled entrées.

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Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

Hector M Sanchez

Sweet tea has become an iconic Southern flavor for pound cakes, ice cream, and even fried chicken. In this recipe, we brined pieces of chicken in the elixir before grilling to impart subtle sweetness and moisture.

Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

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Lemonade Chicken

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Lemonade Chicken

This is one of our throwback recipes from our Recipe Revival cookbook. (Who doesn’t like revisiting favorite recipes from the past?) Frozen lemonade concentrate became available in the 1950s, and promptly began to sneak its way into recipes both sweet and savory. Here, it teams up with soy sauce for a quick baste for grilled chicken. If you’d prefer, try this recipe with frozen orange juice concentrate, or with limeade. Serve with lemon (or orange or lime) slices for a garnish. This chicken makes a lovely weeknight dinner with a side of broccoli and white rice.

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Grilled Chicken and Toasted Couscous Salad with Lemon-Buttermilk Dressing

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Toasted Couscous Salad with Lemon-Buttermilk Dressing

This hearty dish can take down the biggest of appetites. It begins with tender chicken marinated in olive oil, garlic, and lemon, which is then added to a tasty medley of fresh asparagus, couscous, and red onions. All of that is covered in a rich, lemony buttermilk dressing.

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Grilled Salt-and-Pepper Chicken Wings

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grilled Salt-and-Pepper Chicken Wings

Broiler option: Broil on a foil-lined jelly-roll pan 8 inches from heat 20 minutes or until done, turning halfway through. Amp up the flavor with one of our tasty drizzle recipes.

Honey Drizzle Recipes ​Recipe: Cider Vinegar-Brown Butter Honey Drizzle Recipe: Horseradish-Honey Mustard Drizzle Recipe: Cracked Pepper-Rosemary Honey Drizzle Recipe: Chili-Lemon Honey Drizzle

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Margarita-Brined Chicken

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Margarita-Brined Chicken

Soak chicken in a citrus-and-tequila-spiked brine to infuse Latin flavors and keep the chicken moist as it cooks. Pat the skin dry before grilling, and start skin-side down to ensure it gets good and crispy. Feel free to sub orange juice for tequila and lemons or oranges for limes, and be sure to grill extra citrus for a pretty and functional garnish.

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Grilled Chicken-Asparagus Salad

Photo: Jacob Snavely

Recipe: Grilled Chicken-Asparagus Salad

This hearty salad is brightened up with mint, lemon juice, and fresh dill. 

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Top-Shelf Chicken Under a Brick

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Top-Shelf Chicken Under a Brick

The "top-shelf" in this recipe speaks to the crispy skin, superior flavor, and juiciness of the bird. It also refers to a novel new technique: cooking potatoes in the heavy cast-iron skillet that's used as a weight on the chicken. The weight presses the chicken flat against the grill grates, cutting the cooking time in half. Plus you'll be cooking your side dish at the same time.

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Tomato-Orange Marmalade Chicken

Photo: Iain Bagwell

If you'd like the tomatoes to have a saucier consistency, once you've added the remaining tomatoes in Step 3, cover and simmer over low heat for up to 10 minutes.

 

Recipe: Tomato-Orange Marmalade Chicken

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Ginger "Beer Can" Chicken

Alison Miksch

Retire the beer can and opt for a can of ginger ale instead. The spicy soft drink puts a tangy twist on your whole bird. Look for canned ginger beer (Gosling's makes a good one) to add even more spicy, fresh ginger flavor. Don't forget the ginger ale glaze.

 

Watch: Beer Can Chicken


Recipe: Ginger "Beer Can" Chicken

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Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

Recipe: Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

Chicken thighs are seasoned with rub of dried thyme, oregano, cumin, and paprika. The versatile white sauce received our highest rating and is also good as a condiment for burgers.

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Smoky Chicken Panini with Basil Mayo

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Smoky Chicken Panini with Basil Mayo

Smoky Gouda cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach join grilled chicken breasts in this panini that's slathered with fresh Basil Mayo.

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Grilled Chicken with Fresh Corn Cakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Fresh Corn Cakes

Start with a package of cornbread mix and fresh corn kernels to make these homestyle corn cakes. Top with grilled chicken, bacon, and chopped arugula for a colorful one-dish dinner.

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Beer-Can Chicken

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Beer-Can Chicken

Chicken on a beer can? You bet. Grilling is a delicious way to "roast" a whole bird, especially when beer is involved. Use a milder brew if you wish, but skip hoppy IPAs.

The Easy Way to Cook Beer-Can Chicken

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Grilled Chicken With Corn and Slaw

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Chicken With Corn and Slaw

For a complete meal ready in 30 minutes, grill corn and chicken breasts brushed with a simple mayonnaise-based spread. While the corn and chicken cook, mix a simple oil-and-vinegar dressing with coleslaw mix. Viola, supper! Dice leftover grilled chicken, and then combine with leftover slaw for a tasty lunch.

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 Chili-Barbecued Chicken

Recipe: Chili-Barbecued Chicken

This tender grilled chicken recipe gets its smoky flavor from wood chips and spicy-heat from a vinegar-based red sauce.

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Grilled Chicken Chipotle

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Chipotle Chicken

Ditch your plain grilled chicken for a zesty, perfectly spiced dinner instead. Grilled Chipotle Chicken delivers a smoky heat flavor with a touch of sweetness. Try Mexcian oregano for an extra zing. 

 

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Grilled Spicy Cilantro Chicken

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

This chicken dish—ready in 35 minutes—gets its kick from cilantro, jalapeño peppers, and black pepper. 

 

Recipe: Grilled Spicy Cilantro Chicken

Leftover Dinner Recipe: Grilled Chicken Naan Pizza

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Buttermilk-Brined Grilled Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Buttermilk-Brined Grilled Chicken

Buttermilk-Brined Grilled Chicken is soaked in a mixture of buttermilk, brown sugar, and hot sauce to ensure flavor and juiciness.

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Grilled Chicken and Garden Salsa

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Garden Salsa

Save time by buying pre-chopped veggies. Wrap them in foil, and grill as directed.

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Grilled Chicken Tacos

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Tacos

Spice up taco night with these quick tacos. Jazz up ordinary salsa with mango, cilantro, and hot sauce, and serve a side of refried black beans for an easy weeknight meal.

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Grilled Chicken and New Potatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

This updated and healthier take on classic chicken fingers is a fuss-free dinner! Use a foil packet as a cooking vessel for the leeks and potatoes (or any vegetable).

 

Recipe: Grilled Chicken and New Potatoes

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Spicy Honey-Lime Grilled Drumsticks

Photo: Jennifer Davick

The citrus and spice in these chicken drumsticks are sure to win over any crowd. You can make the sauce ahead of time for easier tailgate prep.

 

Recipe: Spicy Honey-Lime Grilled Drumsticks

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Honey Barbecue Chicken

Recipe: Honey Barbecue Chicken

Try this classic barbecue chicken recipe with bone-in chicken breasts and drumsticks. You'll most likely have all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce on hand.

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Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken

A simple marinade of honey, soy sauce, and lime juice is all you need for this delicious grilled chicken. Serve with coleslaw and sautéed squash for a complete summertime meal.

 

Recipe: Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken

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Orange-Ginger Grilled Chicken Thighs

This marinade of rice vinegar, soy sauce, orange juice, and ginger, shows off the versatility of grilled chicken thighs. See how it easily transitions from smoky barbecue cookout fare to a healthy, Asian-inspired dinner.

 

Recipe: Orange-Ginger Grilled Chicken Thighs

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Lexington-Style Grilled Chicken

The inspiration for the marinade on this grilled chicken comes from Carolina-style barbecue sauce, which is a spicy, vinegar-based sauce. Be sure to marinate at least 2 hours, or as long as overnight, to get the most flavor from the marinade.

Recipe: Lexington-Style Grilled Chicken

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Cuban Mojo Chicken With Mandarin-Black Bean Salad

Recipe: Cuban Mojo Chicken With Mandarin-Black Bean Salad

Serve Cuban Mojo Chicken on a bed of steamed green beans. Chopped fresh mint adds a surprising burst of flavor.

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Rosemary Grilled Chicken Thighs

Online reviewers claim that these honey-and-mustard-marinated chicken thighs are definitely "company-worthy". Serving them over cheese grits and sautéed spinach makes this grilled chicken dish extraordinary.

 

Recipe: Rosemary Grilled Chicken Thighs

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Grilled Chicken Salad with Raspberry-Tarragon Dressing

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad with Raspberry-Tarragon Dressing

Dress up a bottle of raspberry vinaigrette with fresh tarragon and green onions. It's perfect drizzled over a salad of grilled chicken, cantaloupe, blackberries, and Gorgonzola cheese.

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