Description
This Best Grilled Chicken Breast recipe features flavorful boneless, skinless chicken cutlets marinated in a zesty blend of lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and spices, then grilled to juicy perfection. Perfect for a quick and delicious dinner, this recipe ensures moist and tender chicken with a smoky char and vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless-skinless chicken breast thin cutlets (approximately 1 ½ – 2 pounds total weight)
Marinade
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: In a large, heavy duty, zip top bag, place the boneless-skinless chicken breast cutlets and set aside.
- Make Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, canola oil, honey, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken inside the zip top bag. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Place the bag onto a plate and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat an outdoor gas grill to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for cooking the chicken breasts.
- Grill Chicken - First Side: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 8 minutes, allowing for a nice sear and smoky flavor.
- Grill Chicken - Second Side: Flip the chicken over and grill for an additional 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), indicating the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the grilled chicken to a plate, turn off the grill according to manufacturer instructions, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts and serve immediately, enjoying the flavorful, juicy grilled chicken.
Notes
- Using pre-packaged thin chicken breast cutlets speeds up preparation and ensures even cooking. If using larger pieces, consider butterflying or pounding them thinner for uniform thickness.
- The marinade quantity can be doubled or halved depending on the amount of chicken being grilled.
- This marinade yields moist and tender chicken that is versatile and perfect for many dishes.
- For thicker or bone-in chicken breasts, marinate for up to 8 hours and expect longer grilling times.
- Olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil can substitute canola oil without altering the flavor profile significantly.
- Dried thyme is used for convenience, but fresh thyme can be used at double the quantity for a fresher herb flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
