17 Top-Rated 5-Star Grilled Chicken Recipe Collection
These beloved grilled chicken recipes have earned five-star ratings from home cooks everywhere. Each dish brings unique flavors and cooking techniques to your backyard grill.
From simple weeknight dinners to impressive weekend meals, these recipes offer something for every skill level and taste preference.
01. Spice-Rubbed Chicken Taco Salad Bowl
This version uses seasoned grilled chicken breasts served over fresh lettuce, black beans, and zesty salsa. The spice rub creates a flavorful crust on the chicken.
Grilled corn tortillas add a smoky flavor that makes this salad special. The charred tortilla pieces work as edible bowls or crunchy toppings.
Perfect for healthy summer dinners when you want something filling but fresh. Takes about thirty minutes from start to finish.
02. Spatchcocked Whole Grilled Chicken
This method removes the chicken’s backbone and flattens it like an open book. The flattened shape helps the meat cook faster and more evenly.
Spatchcocking cuts cooking time in half compared to traditional whole chicken grilling. The skin gets crispy while the inside stays juicy and tender.
Great for feeding a crowd with impressive presentation. Takes some knife skills but the results are worth the extra effort.
03. Tandoori-Style Grilled Chicken Thighs
This version marinates chicken thighs in yogurt, lime juice, and pre-made tandoori spice mix. The yogurt tenderizes the meat while adding tangy flavor.
Traditional tandoori uses clay ovens, but your backyard grill works perfectly fine. The spice mix creates that signature orange-red color and complex taste.
Perfect for adventurous cooks who want authentic Indian flavors without complicated spice blending. Marinate for at least two hours.
04. Lemon Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken
This recipe combines Greek yogurt, lemon zest, herbs, garlic, and lemon juice for a tangy marinade. The yogurt creates incredibly tender and flavorful chicken.
The yogurt caramelizes beautifully on the grill without burning. This creates a dark brown crust that looks impressive and tastes amazing.
Great for beginners who want restaurant-quality results. A few hours of marinating transforms ordinary chicken into something special.
05. Bacon-Wrapped Rosemary Chicken Breasts
Simple seasoning of garlic powder, salt, pepper, and fresh rosemary gets wrapped in crispy bacon. The bacon keeps the chicken moist while adding smoky flavor.
This method requires minimal prep work but delivers maximum flavor impact. The bacon renders fat that bastes the chicken as it cooks.
Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive without much effort. Takes about twenty-five minutes on medium heat.
06. Charred Corn and Grilled Chicken Salad
This fresh salad combines grilled chicken, charred corn, asparagus, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. A simple vinaigrette with white wine vinegar and mustard ties everything together.
Grilling the corn adds smoky sweetness that makes this salad stand out. The charred kernels provide great texture contrast against tender chicken.
Works great for meal prep or entertaining guests year-round. You can grill everything ahead and assemble when ready to serve.
07. Grilled Chicken Tikka Masala
Bite-sized chicken pieces marinate in spiced yogurt, then get skewered and grilled. The grilled chicken goes into a rich tomato cream sauce.
This method adds smoky grill flavor to the classic Indian dish. The outdoor cooking gives the chicken extra depth that indoor versions can’t match.
Great for impressing dinner guests with restaurant-quality Indian food. Serve with rice or warm pita bread for a complete meal.
08. Five-Spice Grilled Chicken
This Southeast Asian inspired dish uses Chinese five-spice powder with ginger, garlic, and chile sauce. Fish sauce and lime juice add authentic umami flavors.
The five-spice creates amazing caramelization when it hits the hot grill. Rice vinegar in the marinade helps tenderize the meat perfectly.
Perfect for adventurous cooks who want to try new flavor combinations. The marinade works great on any cut of chicken.
09. Stuffed Chicken Breast Sandwiches
Marinated chicken breasts get stuffed with avocado, jalapeño peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese. The filling stays creamy while the outside gets perfectly grilled.
Brushing with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes adds a glossy finish. The cheese melts and binds everything together beautifully.
Great for weekend cookouts when you want something more exciting than plain chicken. Serve on Kaiser rolls with your favorite toppings.
10. Filipino-Style Grilled Chicken Adobo
This simple Filipino recipe uses honey, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar for a sweet-tangy marinade. The combination creates complex flavors that taste exotic but familiar.
Adobo seasoning caramelizes beautifully on the grill while keeping the meat incredibly moist. The vinegar tenderizes while the honey promotes browning.
Perfect for trying new cuisines without complicated ingredient lists. Great way to introduce your family to Filipino flavors.
11. Quick Teriyaki Grilled Chicken
Chicken breasts marinate in teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and sesame oil. The marinade creates a glossy coating that caramelizes on high heat.
Grilling very hot and fast is the secret to perfect teriyaki chicken. This prevents the sugars from burning while creating great grill marks.
Great for hot summer evenings when you want dinner fast. Leftovers work perfectly in salads or sandwiches the next day.
12. Ranch Rosemary Chicken Kabobs
These tender kabobs feature ranch dressing and fresh rosemary as the main flavor stars. The ranch adds tangy creaminess while rosemary provides earthy depth.
The ranch marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy on the grill. Threading onto skewers makes portion control easy and cooking even.
Perfect for parties since everyone gets their own individual serving. Kids love the familiar ranch flavor while adults appreciate the rosemary.
13. Greek-Style Marinated Grilled Chicken
This recipe uses a powerful marinade with garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and vinegar. The acidic marinade tenderizes while infusing Mediterranean flavors.
Slow cooking over semi-indirect heat lets the marinade flavors penetrate deeply. This method prevents burning while ensuring even cooking throughout.
Great for meal prep since the flavors actually improve overnight. Works perfectly with Greek sides like rice pilaf or roasted vegetables.
14. Classic Barbecue Glazed Chicken
This method focuses on getting thick barbecue sauce to stick perfectly to the skin. The secret is brushing sauce on gradually as the chicken cooks.
Starting skin-side up in a closed grill prevents the sugary sauce from burning. Multiple thin coats build up that perfect glossy red glaze.
Takes patience but creates that classic barbecue chicken everyone loves. The technique works with any bottled or homemade barbecue sauce.
15. Italian Calabrian Spiced Chicken
This recipe features Calabrian crushed chilies, rosemary, anchovies, and citrus in the marinade. Blending everything together creates a smooth, flavorful paste.
The anchovy adds umami depth without fishy taste, while the chilies provide gentle heat. The marinade creates incredibly moist and flavorful results.
Perfect for adventurous cooks who want authentic Italian regional flavors. Serve over greens with extra chile paste for garnish.
16. Aztec Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash
Honey, garlic, and ancho chile spice create this Central Mexican inspired marinade. The chicken gets served over creamy roasted corn and sweet potato mash.
The ancho chilies provide smoky heat while honey balances with sweetness. The sweet potato mash makes this a complete, satisfying meal.
Great for impressing guests with unique flavor combinations. Garnish with grilled plantains and fresh cilantro for authentic presentation.
17. Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers
Fresh lemongrass creates the signature flavor in this Vietnamese marinade. Cutting chicken into small pieces lets the marinade penetrate quickly and completely.
Longer marinating time develops deeper flavors, so plan ahead if possible. Threading onto skewers makes grilling and serving much easier.
Perfect served over rice with grilled vegetables. Even picky eaters love the bright, citrusy flavors that make this dish special.
Final Thoughts
These seventeen grilled chicken recipes prove that backyard cooking can create restaurant-quality meals. Each method offers unique flavors and techniques for every skill level.
Whether you prefer simple seasonings or complex marinades, these five-star recipes will inspire your next grilling adventure.