23 easy and delicious reasons to fire up the grill now
Written bySunsetMay 8, 2009
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Erin Kunkel
1 of 24Erin Kunkel
Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
The perfect picnic chicken! Soak chicken in a buttermilk brine for extra moist and tender results, and add subtle Indian-inspired spices for a go-anywhere feast that's miles from boring.
This Sunset favorite is based on a spicy grilled Portuguese dish; piri-piri is a small hot chile. Traditionally, piri-piri preparations include a splash of lemon and a hint of garlic; we're more generous with both in our version.
Grilled Cilantro Chicken with Pickled Tomato and Avocado Salsa
Marinate chicken breasts in lime, cilantro, and chicken, then grill and top with an absolutely addictive sweet and spicy tomato avocado salsa. This dish will knock your socks off.
Yogurt-marinated Chicken Kebabs with Israeli Couscous
These crowd-pleasing kebabs get an Indian kick from a marinade of curry, garam masala, and yogurt. Israeli couscous on the side is a nice change from typical pasta salad.
A taste of summer in a bowl: barbecued chicken, sweet nectarines, tangy goat cheese, crisp salad greens, and toasted pecans. A speedy entree salad that’s perfect for the season.
Poultry burgers have a reputation for being dry and bland. Not these: Jazzed up with sharp cheddar, parmesan, and garlic ― then topped with crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and lettuce ― they're boldness in a bun.
Want moist and succulent grilled chicken with deliciously crispy skin? Try grilling under a brick. (Or, use the modern equivalent: A cast-iron pan.) Take a whole chicken, cut open and flatten, marinate, and then grill under a weight. Use the same technique with Cornish hens or quail for equally good results.
Tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and chipotle peppers add kick to this Mexican outdoor dinner party favorite. Recipe:Tequila-Marinated Chicken Fajitas
Leo Gong; Styling: Dan Becker
13 of 24Leo Gong; Styling: Dan Becker
Honey-Sesame Grilled Chicken Wings
Finger-lickin' sweet replaces blazing buffalo as the flavorings for these tasty wings. We like to serve them as a fun hors d'oeuvre for an outdoor party or as the main course for a family dinner.
Stuff your quesadillas with sour cream, spicy chipotle peppers, and grilled chicken, and you'll have a new family favorite. Grilling adds a mildly smoky note, the perfect complement to big flavors like lime, cilantro, and chile.
"Spatchcocking" a chicken means splitting the bird down the back and flattening it out so it cooks more evenly and quickly (it's also known as butterflying). This version is rubbed with flavorful Dijon mustard and a mixture of dried and fresh herbs.
Grill the perfect chicken breast ― crunchy skin and tender meat ― with a simple, foolproof method: Salt it beforehand to keep the meat moist, and give it a final toast over direct heat to crisp the skin up. Perfect results, with only two ingredients! Try our spice-rubbed, marinated, buttered, and herbed variations after you've mastered the original.
20 of 24Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Basil Friedman
Chicken Yakitori
Your family will love these extra-tasty chicken skewers, our version of a popular Japanese street food. The sauce also works well on pork, fish, or beef.
Made with cashews, this romesco, given to us by Josh Drage, chef at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, MT, has a silkier texture and sweeter flavor than the classic sauce made with almonds. He brushes it onto grilled chicken, but it would also be good swirled into a creamy soup.