Whole roast chicken with browned lemon slices on the skin all on a cutting board
Johnny Autry
1 of 12

Whole Grilled Chicken

This whole grilled chicken is brined, then coated with lemon, rosemary, and garlic, and grilled to tender juicy perfection. Perfect for backyard barbecues or any other time you need to show off your grilling skills.

This whole grilled chicken is definitely a 5 star recipe! I was a bit skeptical about using the lemon with it’s peel, but the rub truly imbued the chicken with an amazing flavor. The combination of the brining with the low temperature grilling make the chicken incredibly succulent and tender.

Carole
6 grilled chicken skewers piled on a wooden cutting board and sprinkled with slices of red onion and cilantro.
Weldon Owen
2 of 12

Chicken Skewers

These chicken skewers are magnificently easy to toss on the grill for a quick dinner. The distinct Thai taste comes from a simple marinade of coconut milk, fish sauce, cilantro, and curry.

Can healthy also taste good? Oh yes! We really enjoyed these chicken skewers. I served these delectable gems with a Thai peanut sauce for dipping, coconut jasmine rice, and grilled pineapple. It was quick and easy and loaded with flavor. These are wonderful, flavorful, and I cannot wait to make them again soon.

Cathy
A rimmed baking sheet with 18 grilled chicken wings with maple bourbon sauce.
Ray Kachatorian
3 of 12

Grilled Chicken Wings with Maple Bourbon Sauce

Here, you brown the wings first over direct heat without any sauce. That’s when the skin gets crispy. Then you move the wings over indirect heat, where it is safe to layer on the sweet sauce without the threat of it scorching.
Grilled chicken thighs on a platter with a sprig of rosemary on top.
yelenayemchuk
4 of 12

Grilled Rosemary-Garlic Chicken

These grilled rosemary-garlic chicken thighs rely on a quick and simple lemon marinade and a quick turn on the grill for their robust flavor and tender juiciness. Simple enough for weeknights. Special enough for dinner parties.

This grilled rosemary-garlic chicken was amazing! So tender, so moist. I’m a novice barbeque-er and this was perfect, so easy.

Mary
A platter of shish taouk or Middle Eastern grilled chicken and thighs slathered with a pomegranate-tamarind sauce
Ernie Enkler
5 of 12

Shish Taouk | Middle Eastern Grilled Chicken

This spectacularly exotic grilled middle Eastern chicken, known as shish taouk, is coated in a sumac and garlic paste and served with a tamarind-pomegranate sauce.
A whole spatchcocked grilled roasted chicken on a round wooden board with dishes of salt and peppercorns on the side.
whitestorm
6 of 12

Grilled Roasted Chicken

A paprika and chili powder rub coupled with an indirect cooking method ensures that this gorgeous bird has tender, juicy meat, and shatteringly crisp skin. If you've never spatchcocked a bird, now's the time to try it.

I’ve roasted many a chicken but this was the BEST ever! The rub gave it great flavor without being overpowering, the skin was crisp and the meat was moist. Used my gas grill and it was nice not to have to worry about smoking/burning cicken!

Mary M.
A black platter with several grilled chicken tacos with fruit salsa, a few cherry tomatoes, and a wooden board with cut chicken, halved plums, and queso fresco.
Eva Kosmas Flores
7 of 12

Grilled Chicken Tacos with Fruit Salsa

Marinated chicken makes up the heart of this dish, cooking away on the grill until it develops a light char on the skin, while the dark leg and thigh meat remains juicy and succulent. The sweetness of the plums is balanced by the tang of freshly squeezed lime juice and the fresh bite of cilantro, making one of the most richly flavored salsas you’ll ever encounter, and the perfect pairing for the rich smoky chicken.
A wooden cutting board with a carved grilled Greek chicken and a knife resting beside it.
Ray Kachatorian
8 of 12

Grilled Greek Chicken

What gives this grilled Greek chicken its voraciously vibrant flavor is a lemon marinade full of garlic, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil. It brings a Mediterranean mojo to a simple summer supper.

Amazing! This grilled Greek chicken was definitely one of the easiest and best tasting chicken dishes that I’ve made, and I’ve made many over the years. Five stars doesn’t do the recipe justice. It definitely deserves more!

Sadie
A sliced jerk chicken breast on a round cutting board, with a man's hand holding a cleaver above it
Ed Anderson
9 of 12

Jerk Chicken

August 6th is Jamaican Independence Day. Celebrate! This jerk chicken relies on an easy marinade you toss together from Jamaican allspice, scallion, thyme, cinnamon, chile pepper, and vinegar that tastes just like what you’d experience in the Caribbean. With easy instructions on how to cook it without fail.
A tray of chicken thighs with balsamic barbecue sauce, corn on the cob, glasses of beer, forks, and plates
Colin Price
10 of 12

Chicken Thighs with Balsamic Barbecue Sauce

Why did it take someone so long to think up chicken thighs with balsamic barbecue sauce? Simple, easy, and made with pantry staples, such as ketchup, honey, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce, this meal comes together quickly. Take advantage of late-season corn to round out the meal.

I was searching for a quick, yet tasty, chicken dish and found this one for chicken thighs with balsamic barbecue sauce. It was perfect! Flavorful and succulent, tangy and sweet, and easy to put together with everyday ingredients. I will definitely add this to my recipe go-to list.

Joan H.
A tandoori chicken wrap with lettuce, chicken, in a flour tortilla.
Tina Rupp
11 of 12

Tandoori Chicken Wraps

These tandoori chicken wraps combine grilled chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, and Middle Eastern spices with a cooling yogurt and mint dressing. Everything is wrapped in tortillas, pita, or naan.

This was a simple, versatile, and delicious recipe for chicken wraps. I would definitely prepare it again. I might add chopped cucumbers as an additional stuffing. It is perfect for entertaining, because everything can be prepared ahead so the host has only to worry about grilling while chatting with guests.

Christina M.
A smoked chicken on a piece of crumpled parchment paper with a knife and a bowl of spice rub on the side.
Angie Zoobkoff
12 of 12

Smoked Chicken

Brining in a very simple salt and sugar brine makes the chicken juicier than a typical bird and it’s seasoned throughout. The addition of the dry rub makes it even more flavorful.



About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.


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