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12 Ways with Grilled Chicken

Try it with tasty spice rubs, a tequila marinade, nectarine salad, and more

Stephanie Dean

Everyone loves juicy and succulent grilled chicken, but sometimes we run out of ideas to jazz up this all-American barbecue and picnic favorite. These twists on the classic summer entrée will keep you cooking all season long.

If you want to take things one step further try our spicy grilled chicken quesadillas, tequila chicken fajitas, or our juicy nectarine and chicken salad. Many of these recipes can be served hot off the grill or at room temperature.

Grilled chicken pairs perfectly with most everything, but it really shines when matched with potato salads, baked beans, coleslaw and other barbecue favorites.

Cilantro Chicken
Fresh cilantro, lime juice, honey, and garlic add zip to this simple recipe.

Grilled Fusion Chicken
The spicy, garlicky cream sauce in this recipe makes this chicken special enough for summer entertaining.

Juicy Grilled Chicken Breasts
Have you had trouble trying to grill the perfect chicken breast, with crunchy skin and moist, tender meat? This recipe solves your problem with a simple, fool-proof method. Try our spice-rubbed, marinated, buttered, and herbed variations after you’ve mastered the original.

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Sweet Onions and Peppers
In this recipe, sweet, slow-cooked onions and red peppers, laced with Port, capers, and thyme, make grilled chicken thighs a special summer event.

Spice-Rubbed Smoke-Roasted Chicken
The classic roast chicken moves onto the grill, with a spice rub to give it extra kick.

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
When you soak chicken in a buttermilk brine for extra moist and tender results and add subtle Indian-inspired spices, this dish really becomes something special.

Tequila-Marinated Chicken Fajitas
Tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and chipotle peppers add kick to this Mexican outdoor dinner party favorite.

Wine-Brined Grilled Chicken
Dry white wine is the key to the delicate flavor achieved in this simple recipe.

Chicken Piri-Piri
This Sunset favorite is based on a spicy grilled Portuguese dish, piri-piri is a small hot chili. Traditionally, piri-piri includes a splash of lemon and a hint of garlic with its roundup of herbs and spices; we’re more generous with both in our version.

Grilled Chicken and Nectarine Salad
The combination of barbecued chicken, sweet nectarines, tangy goat cheese, and toasted pecans makes for a great and speedy entrée salad.

Brick-Grilled Chicken
Want moist and succulent grilled chicken with deliciously crispy skin? Try brick-grilling. This translates into whole chicken, cut open and flattened, marinated, and then grilled under a weight. This old technique is designed to produce juicy meat and rich brown skin, and it definitely delivers.

Grilled Chipotle-Chicken Quesadillas
Stuff your quesadillas with sour cream, spicy chipotles, 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.