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4.56 from 470 votes

Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe

This simple grilled chicken breast recipe is seriously the best you will try! Coated in spices, it's perfectly juicy and charred. Get all my top tips and learn how to grill the most amazing chicken!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 325kcal
Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

  • Grill or Indoor Grill Pan

Ingredients

For the Seasoning Mix:

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Chicken:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts *
  • Fresh lime juice optional
  • chopped fresh cilantro optional

Instructions

  • Heat the grill to medium-high heat (375-450°F) and coat the grates or grill pan with oil.
    Grill pan set on a countertop.
  • Combine the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small dish.
    ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    Seasoning mix in a small glass bowl.
  • Drizzle the olive oil and rub the seasoning over the chicken breasts, coating them entirely.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    Raw seasoned chicken breasts on a cutting board.
  • Once heated, place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes, flip, and continue cooking another 6-8 minutes (about 12-15 minutes total), until cooked through.
    Grilled chicken breasts on a grill pan.
  • If desired, squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken and finish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro to serve.
    Fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro
    A plate of grilled chicken topped with cilantro and lime juice.

Video

Notes

*The recommend cook time for this recipe is for boneless chicken breasts. If you prefer to use bone-in chicken breasts, you will need to cook for 25-30 minutes.
Tips:
  • Fully preheat the grill before using.
  • Bring chicken to room temperature before grilling. This will help it cook more evenly.
  • Cook chicken over medium-high heat. If the grill is too hot, the outside of the chicken will burn but the middle won't cook through.
  • For best results, sear each side for a few minutes over direct heat, then finish cooking over indirect heat. This can help control the temp and prevent it from drying out.
  • Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken. You can pound each piece to a more even thickness if needed.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the breast. Remove it from the grill at 162°F, then let it rest until it reaches 165°F.
  • Resting the chicken for 10 minutes also allows the juices to redistribute, which is key to a juicy chicken breast!
  • If you'd like to cook thighs, follow my grilled chicken thighs recipe.
Storage: Store leftover chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5pound | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 563mg | Potassium: 860mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg