24 Grilled Chicken Breast Recipes That Will Get You Excited To Fire Up the Grill

If grilled chicken breast is one of your summertime staples, you're not alone. It's a great choice for warm-weather weeknight dinners and backyard barbecues alike — so many of us find ourselves looking for new ways to cook this tried-and-true protein before the end of grilling season. That's why we've rounded up these grilled chicken recipes. You'll find ways to add flavor with marinades, glazes and seasonings — as well as easy ideas for transforming your chicken breast into tacos, skewers and more mouthwatering mains.

One of our favorite places to start? This reinvented Chicken Cordon Bleu. Named after the blue sashes worn by French knights, this dish has been popular in the US for more than half a century — and it’s a perfect candidate for grilling: The cheese-and-ham filling keeps the lean chicken breasts from drying out, while adding plenty of rich, salty flavor.

Mix up this crowd-pleasing marinade, pop it in the freezer with 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast and you'll have smoky BBQ chicken ready to go for your cookout — or on a busy weeknight where there's no time for meal planning.

Looking for a go-to marinade made from pantry essentials? This recipe is made completely from things you can find in your spice drawer or pantry. Dried herbs add freshness, while mustard and a touch of whatever vinegar you have on hand makes it super tangy.

Break out the tequila for this oh-so-flavorful chicken (and your best tequila cocktail). Enjoy both on a summer weeknight, or save some leftover chicken for lunch the next day. The vibrant acidity of the lime juice and the sweet tang of the tequila work together to give basic chicken breast a ton of character.

Throw a fajita fiesta this summer with this one-of-a-kind salad. Big enough for a crowd and easy enough for you to manage (while also juggling side dishes, entrees and all of your family members!), this recipe is the answer to all of your party nightmares. Serve it as an appetizer, or as part of the main course and everyone will be satisfied.

Looking for a faster, lighter, more summery version of Chicken Parmesan? This recipe comes together super quickly and skips the breadcrumb coating and pan frying, making it a faster and healthier option.

Say good-bye to dry, stringy grilled chicken breast. We’ve come up with the best method for supremely tender, flavor-packed meat that marinates in 30 minutes and grills in just 10. The key ingredients in the marinade are yogurt and lemon, which deliver a one-two punch of gentle tenderizing and immense flavor -- without making the chicken rubbery like some ultra-acidic marinades can. The yogurt also adheres to the exterior, creating a crispier “crust” that locks in the juiciness. The perfect partner for grilled vegetables or all kinds of potatoes, this chicken is equally delicious chopped and served cold on salads or grain or noodle bowls.

This dish shows off summer’s bounty: Simple lime-marinated chicken breasts are grilled alongside peaches. The peaches are tossed together with raw corn cut off the cob and served with creamy pieces of avocado, crumbled feta and a chive-and-cilantro lime dressing. It’s my idea of a perfect dish to make all summer long, and it’s easy to make either on an outdoor grill or indoors on a grill pan.

Using a grill-safe pizza stone on a grill is a great way to cook fajitas. It results in wonderfully charred chicken and blistered, caramelized veggies in no time. The tangy, spicy and salty marinade is super flavorful. This method for preparing fajitas might just become your new summer favorite.

Watermelon is the name of the game uring the summer and, if you’re looking for new ways to mix up the staple, you're going to love this recipe. Pulling Middle Eastern influence from za’atar (a spice blend of toasted sesame seeds, salt and any combo of dried thyme or oregano) as well as Mediterranean flavors from hummus, this dish is bright and flavorful – the perfect weeknight summer dinner.

This recipe is the perfect summertime dish for a couple of reasons. First, chicken skewers are portable, light and neat, so friends and family alike can move around your backyard BBQ, summer soiree or picnic party in an easy, mess-free fashion. Secondly, this Avocado Pesto is the best dairy-free alternative to the classic pesto out there. Creamy and a bit lighter than a parm-based sauce, this pesto is a great partner for classic grilled chicken.

It’s time to get spicy! Layered with an array of spices from Spanish paprika to cumin, these chicken breasts are full of rich flavors. Make the accompanying Parsley-Mint Sauce, vibrant and bright with fresh serrano chilis, spicy garlic and honey, and you’ll receive more compliments than you can handle.

For an easy weeknight dinner, tacos are always a good idea. Low lift and incredibly flavorful, taco night lets everyone mix and match their favorite toppings and sauces for the perfect, personalized morsel. Start your taco bar with this recipe – the flavorful chicken, smoky poblanos, sweet onions and creamy coleslaw serve as the perfect foundation for any taco creation.

Sumac is a ground berry that has vibrant citrusy notes. In this recipe, it is used in a simple chicken marinade and in an easy fattoush (a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and pita chips!). This is a low-maintenance and fresh alternative to dinner for a weeknight at home or a weekend entertaining guests!

Life is just peachy with this sweet-and-savory recipe, especially because summer is peak season for stone fruits. They’re sweet, juicy and eager to be made into the most delectable dishes, so it’s imperative we use them in any way possible. Looking for ideas? Why not start with a spicy peach glaze?

Summertime is synonymous with tomatoes. As the warmer months roll around, the sweet, fresh, juicy fruits begin to dot Farmer’s Market tables and that means tomato salads allll summer long. Guess what pairs great with tomato salad? Grilled chicken breast, making this recipe one that's sure to become a new, summertime family favorite.

Adobo is a staple in Spanish cooking and provides a smoky, earthy punch of flavor wherever it is added. Here, hints of dried oregano, onion powder, cumin and achiote powder will make simple grilled chicken breasts shine.

This Red Pepper Sauce is one of a kind. A vodka-sauce-meets-roasted-red-pepper sort of creation, this creamy spread compliments the light flavor profile of grilled chicken with zest and tang. The sauce is also super easy to make, starting with a simple mix of ingredients like red peppers, garlic and onion.

Searching for a well-rounded weeknight meal? Look no further than this Grilled Chicken with Roasted Kale. Simply seasoned and grilled, these chicken breasts pair beautifully with the deep, roasted flavor developed within the kale and red potatoes. Tossed with additional salad greens, tomatoes and a light lemon vinaigrette, this dish is full of beauty and balance.

Mushrooms aren't just for side dishes or grilling as a vegetarian substitute to the classic burger. No way! Instead, use them to amp up the flavor of grilled chicken breast. By utilizing the mushrooms as the base for a vinaigrette, you'll develop a super earthy foundation for layers of flavors, like balsamic vinegar and spicy whole-grain mustard – all of which elevate simple, perfectly charred chicken.

Cumin is a totally underrated ingredient in Western cooking. Utilized in both whole and crushed forms, the spice has a warm, earthy flavor profile that shines when paired with proteins like grilled chicken, or even skirt steak. It also works nicely in salad dressings, curries and sides like potato or pasta salad.

If you’re in the mood for a twist on chicken parm, check out this recipe for a delicious, open-faced version. Start from the ground up: toasted Italian bread, homemade tomato sauce, a juicy grilled chicken breast, tons of melted cheese and a final topping of tomato sauce.

Channel your inner island vacation with this Caribbean Chicken. Developing its vibrant flavor through 4 to 8 hours of marinating in a blend of soy sauce, citrus juices and zests, jalapeño, ginger, fresh thyme and more, this chicken is anything but boring. Pair it with a fresh cucumber salad or throw it on a sandwich with a bit of lettuce and tomato for a flavor-packed meal.