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Learn the simple secrets to perfectly grilled, never dry chicken breasts.
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In This Recipe
The Juicy Secret
How Long to Brine
Grilling Tips
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
When it comes to grilling, chicken breasts can be problematic, especially boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The meat itself is lean, and without the bones to insulate it or skin to protect it, that naked chicken breast on the grill has a tendency to easily overcook and dry out.
So, what to do?
Grilled Chicken Breast: The Solution (Brine!)
One method is to marinate chicken cutlets, or chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness, and quickly grill them on high heat. We use this method for our cilantro lime chicken and it works fine.
Another way, which doesn't require you to change the shape of the chicken breasts, is to brine the chicken first.
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How Long To Brine Chicken Breasts
All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out.
With a half an hour of brining, the salt that is absorbed isn't so much that the chicken becomes salty, but it is enough so that the flavor of the grilled chicken will be enhanced. We would normally salt grilled chicken breasts, right? You don't need to do that if you brine.
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How To Grill Chicken Breasts
Then it's a simple rub with paprika (great for color) and olive oil (no sticking on the grill). Onto the hot side of the grill the chicken goes for searing, then the cool side for finishing. And you have beautiful, perfectly juicy grilled chicken breasts!
Love Grilled Chicken? Try These Recipes!
- Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Barbecued Chicken on the Grill
- Chipotle Grilled Chicken and Avocado Sandwich
- Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
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How To Grill Juicy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Brining30 mins
Total Time55 mins
Servings4 servings
The grilling time depends on the temperature of your grill and the thickness of the chicken breasts. The temperature of a charcoal grill is difficult to regulate, and not all gas grills have a temperature gauge.
It's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer when cooking meat that's at least an inch thick. I take chicken off the grill at a little bit lower temp (155°F) than is usually recommended for poultry, but that's because the chicken will continue to cook for several minutes once it's off the heat and resting. Taking the chicken off the heat at this temperature helps insure that the meat doesn't overcook and get dried out. If you feel more comfortable taking the chicken off the heat at a higher internal temperature, please feel free to do so.
Ingredients
For the brine
4 cups cool water
33 grams salt (1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt, or 2 tablespoons Morton kosher salt, or 1 1/2 tablespoons fine sea salt)
For the chicken
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for the grill)
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
Method
Brine the chicken breast:
In a large bowl, whisk the salt in the water to dissolve. Add the chicken breasts to the brine. Put in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
Prepare your grill:
Arrange your grill so that one side is for high direct heat, and the other side is cooler. Alternatively, you can use a grill pan set over medium-high heat.
Coat the chicken with oil and paprika:
Remove chicken breasts from brine and pat dry. Coat with olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with paprika.
Grill the chicken breasts:
Brush some olive oil on the grill grates. Place chicken breasts on the hot side of the grill (or on the grill pan). Let the chicken grill, undisturbed, until the pieces start getting some grill marks (you can lift up one to check).
When the chicken pieces have browned on one side, turn them over, and move them to the cooler side of the grill (low heat, not no heat). Cover, and let them finish cooking.
Remove chicken from grill when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 155°F.
What's the Temperature of Cooked Chicken?READ MORE:Rest the chicken breasts, then serve:
Cover the breasts with foil. The chicken will continue to cook in its residual heat while it rests. Let it rest 5 to 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
How did you like the recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!
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| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 373 | Calories |
| 16g | Fat |
| 0g | Carbs |
| 53g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 373 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 16g | 21% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 16% |
| Cholesterol 145mg | 48% |
| Sodium 451mg | 20% |
| Total Carbohydrate 0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 0g | |
| Protein 53g | |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 35mg | 3% |
| Iron 2mg | 11% |
| Potassium 455mg | 10% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
