Description
This easy grilled chicken breast recipe is perfectly seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of chili powder or cumin, then grilled to juicy perfection. Finished with a squeeze of fresh lime and optional chopped cilantro, it's a flavorful and healthy option that's quick to prepare and perfect for any cookout or weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder or cumin (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Serving (Optional)
- Limes, for squeezing
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. Make sure the chicken breasts are fully thawed and left out at room temperature for about 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towels if needed. Use a meat tenderizer to pound each breast to an even thickness, which ensures uniform cooking. Then, rub the olive oil evenly over both sides of each chicken breast.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine the Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder or cumin if using. Rub this spice mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts for full flavor penetration.
- Grill the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches between 160ºF to 165ºF and the meat is no longer pink in the center. This will yield juicy and tender chicken with nice grill marks.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve the grilled chicken breasts with freshly squeezed lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro if desired for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Letting chicken come to room temperature before grilling helps it cook more evenly.
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly without drying out.
- Using a meat thermometer is the best way to check doneness to avoid under or overcooking.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning to taste by adding more chili powder for heat or swapping paprika for smoked paprika for a rich flavor.
- Resting the chicken after grilling helps keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
