Updated on December 17th, 2023
Firing up the BBQ is one of the more enjoyable aspects of warmer days. This artisan grilled chicken recipe is the perfect excuse — it’s a lowfat, high-protein dish that’s easy to make and super flavorful.
Why you’ll love artisan grilled chicken
Here are the reasons to love this recipe:
- Easy: Spend five minutes making a marinade and 15 minutes grilling the chicken.
- Healthy: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is a popular source of lean protein. And this marinade has no oil — it’s water based, so there’s no extra fat.
- Flavorful: A few seasonings combined with the grilling method of cooking imparts a smoky, tangy flavor to the chicken breast (which, let’s face it, is notoriously boring on its own).
- Convenient: Make the marinade during your lunch hour or even in the morning and your chicken is ready to grill by dinnertime. Also, the marinade ingredients are items you probably already have on hand.
What you need for artisan grilled chicken
To make this recipe, you will need:
- A resealable bag for the marinade
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Water
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried thyme
- Sugar
- Salt
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- A grill, preferably charcoal. Alternatively, you could broil the chicken in the oven.
How to make artisan grilled chicken
If you’ve been around BlogChef, you know our niche is easy and delicious recipes. This one’s among the easiest, with only two quick steps.
1. Make the marinade
You can make the marinade in a bowl or directly in a resealable bag. Here are the marinade ingredients plus their measurements:
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
If you use a bowl, give the marinade a quick stir. Then combine chicken breasts and the marinade into a resealable bag. Shake the bag gently so the chicken is coated.
If you mix the marinade directly in the bag, seal it and shake it gently before adding the chicken. Then add the chicken, seal, and give the bag another shake.
Place the chicken in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill. Give it at least two hours if you can.
Grill the chicken
Fire up your grill to a medium-high heat. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and place them on the hot grill. Discard the remaining marinade.
Cook the chicken for 7 minutes on one side, then flip. Insert a thermometer and keep grilling until the meat’s internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then serve.
Side dish ideas for artisan grilled chicken
This chicken is pretty versatile, since the marinade has a subtle flavor. I like this chicken with baked or fried potatoes, which are super satisfying alongside a lean protein. Try Sinful Kitchen’s Lebanese spicy potatoes to kick things up a notch.
Other side dish ideas include:
- Greek salad
- Pasta salad
- Macaroni and cheese
- Couscous with roasted zucchini
- Roasted cauliflower
- Steamed or roasted green beans
- Rice pilaf
- Grilled corn on the cob
Drink pairings for artisan grilled chicken
Grilled, lemony chicken pairs well with lighter wines and beers. Try sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot grigio, a dry rose, or a wheat beer.
You can also easily match this dish with lemonade, sparkling water, iced herbal tea, or cucumber water.
Artisan Grilled Chicken Recipe
Mix up a quick marinade and let it flavor chicken breasts for 2-4 hours. Then toss the breasts on the grill for a delicious, easy meal.
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together water, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sugar, salt, honey, and lemon juice.
- Add the chicken to a resealable bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
- Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place onto the grill.
- Grill for about 7 or 8 minutes per side or until fully cooked (that's when the internal temperature has reached 165°F or 74°C.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 247Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 885mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 38g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Enjoy this easy grilled chicken recipe on relaxed summer days. It’s also a great option when you have chicken on hand but don’t feel like going to the store or making a big production. Chances are, you have the marinade ingredients (or easy substitutes) available.
Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipes
Looking to add lean, healthy chicken breast to your diet? Grilling is the way to keep chicken from getting boring. Here are BlogChef's most popular grilled chicken recipes of all time!
Grilled chicken with a burst of freshness!
Honey, ginger, and soy sauce give this chicken a nice, tangy flavor.
Grilled chicken served with an herby dipping sauce.
Balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary are the difference makers here.
You can't go wrong with bacon, jack cheese, and dijon mustard. Oh, and pico!
Lemon, garlic, and oregano deliver a classic Greek flavor.
Artisan grilled chicken FAQs
Do I have to use a charcoal grill?
No, you can use any grill or even the broiler to cook the chicken. I like the flavor of charcoal grilling, so it would be my first choice for this recipe.
How long can I marinate the chicken?
I wouldn’t marinate the chicken longer than 12 hours. The lemon juice in the marinade can break the chicken’s proteins down and change the texture if you over-marinate.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Yes, you can swap in bottled lemon juice.
Can I use fresh garlic and thyme instead of powdered and dried?
Yes, you can substitute in fresh garlic or thyme. Use 2 cloves of fresh garlic in lieu of the powder. Make sure to peel and mince or smash the garlic before adding it to the marinade. To swap in fresh thyme, use 1 tablespoon of the fresh herb instead of 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
