If you are looking for a quick, easy, and healthy weekday meal, Grilled Boneless Chicken Breast recipes are the way to go and a family favorite. Doused in a savory dry rub, these are juicy and packed with flavor, and easy to modify to add your own twist. Show
Chicken, especially grilled chicken, can be one of the most under rated cuts of meat, and yet remains one of the most common family dinners. And if you are like me, I want an easy and healthy way to get the most flavor out of a boneless skinless chicken breast. Grilling is our go to method. There are so many ways to make it shine, but the two key steps to making chicken taste awesome is the specific grilling technique, and cooking it to the appropriate internal temperature. SourcingNot all chicken is created equally. We know this because we raise chickens on our farm. The right breed, the diet they eat, and access to movement all help build good intramuscular and nutrient density and flavor. Be sure you source the best chicken you can find, ideally opting for local and organic chicken. The breasts should be thick and uniform in size. Avoid buying those packs where you’ll find smaller breasts or even cutlets, which are often pieces of chicken breasts that have been trimmed and repackaged. Those are better for stir-fry dishes rather than grilling. Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe PreparationThe secret to perfectly grilled boneless skinless chicken breasts is to use a meat tenderizer, or hammer, to flatten the thicker portion of the breast and make on uniform shape, like a steak. Because there is no skin, pounding the thicker side makes it easier to create that uniform shape.
Chef’s Note: If you don’t have a meat tenderizer, you can use a hammer, but the hammer head is very small and can puncture the chicken. So if all you have is a hammer, make sure to pound very gently. Alternatively you can use a rolling pin. Seasoning Boneless Chicken BreastStart by coating the chicken breasts with olive oil as a binding agent to allow the seasoning to stick to the chicken breasts. We use our all-purpose seasoning, which is a blend of sugar, salt, and savory herbs and spices to give a richer and earthy flavor with little heat. Plan on one tablespoon of seasoning per chicken breast. Other chicken seasoning flavors to consider:
GrillingBecause boneless skinless chicken is thinner (due to pounding them) and will cook quickly, use a direct grilling method where the heat source is directly under the chicken. Target 450 degrees F over the direct heat using the dome thermometer. Because there is no skin, the risk of flare ups is low because there is no fat dripping into the flame.
ModificationsIf you don’t have a grill, this same process works for an indoor grill pan or cast iron pan. Follow the same steps and just place over medium heat and hot oil. Flip after a few minutes and then pull off when the temperature of the chicken reaches 160 – 165 degrees F. This also makes a great salad if you use our balsamic chicken glaze as a dressing. Wine Pairing for Grilled Chicken BreastsSince there is no marinade for this grilled chicken recipe, and the flavors rely on the direct grilling and the savory poultry rub, we have a number of options for pairing here. Chardonnay (both oaked and unoaked versions) is one of my favorite pairings for grilled chicken. They tend to be a little fuller in body and can stand up well to the grilled meat, and offer vibrant and lively flavors that balance out the dry rub on the grilled chicken. Viognier is another nice option, as is rosé if you’re feeling up for something pink. For reds you can’t go wrong with a bolder Pinot Noir, Gamay, or a Grenache for it’s fruitiness. Food SafetyBe sure to consider using safe food handling practices. Especially when handling raw chicken.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov. More Grilled Chicken Recipes
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To Tenderize and Flatten Chicken:
Troubleshooting: If your grill is running hot – then after 10 minutes of direct grilling, move to the indirect side to finish. This will prevent burning the meat. Find the perfect wine pairing at the Vindulge Wine Shop Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 106IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg Mention @vindulge or use the hashtag #vindulge How long do you grill boneless skinless chicken breast?Boneless skinless breasts (pounded 3/4-inch thick) should be cooked on high heat for 10 to 12 minutes. That means there are no more than five minutes to run back into the kitchen to toss the salad or grab a platter before flipping to cook the other side.
How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out?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.
How do you grill boneless chicken breast on a gas grill?Preheat gas grill before cooking to medium-high heat or 350-400° F. Lightly grease grill surface and add chicken. Close lid and cook 8 minutes, or until bottoms are browned with sear marks. Rotate chicken, close lid, reduce heat to medium and cook 7-10 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches 165° F.
How long do you grill chicken breast on a gas grill?How long do you grill chicken breasts? Grill the chicken for about 10 minutes total, cooking for 2-3 minutes at a time per side. Once the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, the chicken is done.
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