Grilled chicken breast is a classic summer favorite but what if you don’t have an outdoor grill? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy the smoky charred flavor of grilled chicken breast right in your own kitchen. With a few simple techniques like using a grill pan or oven broiler, you can replicate that quintessential grilled taste without the hassle of firing up a barbecue.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make perfectly juicy and delicious grilled chicken breast without access to an outdoor grill.
Why Grill Chicken Breast?
Chicken breast is one of the most popular cuts of meat to grill. It’s lean, versatile and cooks quickly. Grilling imparts a lovely char while keeping the interior juicy and tender. The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the meat adding that crave-able depth of flavor. It’s easy to see why grilled chicken breast is a crowd-pleasing choice.
Even when you can’t grill outdoors, it’s worth the effort to mimic the taste at home. Grilled chicken works for everything from salads and sandwiches to pastas and bowls. Plus, it’s a healthy protein option. With the right techniques, you can enjoy backyard grill flavor from the comfort of your kitchen.
Choosing the Right Chicken Breasts
To start, select high-quality boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Opt for breasts of uniform thickness so they cook evenly. Organic and free-range varieties offer enhanced flavor.
You’ll also want breasts that are roughly the same size, between 6 to 8 ounces each. Avoid packages with large disparities in sizing.
For best results, choose fresh chicken breasts rather than frozen. Frozen chicken tends to release more moisture during cooking, making it harder to achieve a crispy sear while keeping the interior juicy.
Prepping Chicken Breast for Grilling
Proper prep is key for grilling-style perfection. Here are some tips:
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Pound to an Even Thickness: Take a meat mallet or heavy pot and gently pound each chicken breast until evenly thick. This prevents overcooking on thinner edges.
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Pat Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat dry each chicken breast. Eliminating excess moisture allows for better browning.
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Season Generously: Season both sides with salt, pepper, and any other spices you enjoy. You can also use a marinade (more on that later).
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Let Sit: Allow seasoned chicken to rest for 10-20 minutes before cooking. This allows flavors to penetrate.
With proper prep, your chicken is ready to grill! Now let’s look at indoor grilling methods.
Grilling Chicken Breast on a Stovetop Grill Pan
A cast iron grill pan is a handy kitchen tool for indoor grilling. The raised grill ridges allow you to get those coveted grill marks! Follow these steps:
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Heat the Grill Pan: Preheat your pan over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes. It should be very hot.
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Cook the Chicken: Add chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes per side. The grill ridges will impart char marks.
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Check for Doneness: Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
A grill pan makes it easy to get delicious, charred chicken breasts stovetop in your own kitchen. Just be sure your pan is piping hot before adding the chicken.
Broiling Chicken Breasts for Grilled Flavor
Another easy indoor grilling technique is using your oven’s broiler. Set it to high and cook the chicken 5-6 inches from the heating element:
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Prep the Oven: Place oven rack 5-6 inches below broiler. Preheat broiler to high.
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Broil Chicken: Arrange chicken on a broiler pan and broil 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
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Check Temp: Chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature. Allow to rest before serving.
Broiling mimics grilling by applying intense direct heat. Keep a close eye to avoid over-broiling.
Grilling Chicken Breast in a Microwave
You can even grill chicken in the microwave with a few tweaks:
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Prep Chicken: Season or marinate as desired. Arrange in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer.
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Cook: Microwave on high 4-5 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Pause halfway to check even cooking.
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Rest and Serve: Allow to rest a few minutes before slicing and serving.
While you won’t get char or grill marks, the microwave cooks the chicken quickly. Use a lid or vented cover to seal in moisture.
Flavorful Marinades for Added Flavor
Marinating is key for infusing flavor into chicken breasts before grilling. Try these easy homemade marinades:
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Greek Yogurt Marinade: Whisk Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices like cumin or oregano.
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Citrus Herb Marinade: Combine olive oil, citrus juice, oregano, parsley, garlic, S&P.
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Teriyaki Marinade: Mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
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Jerk Spice Marinade: Blend jerk seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and onion.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of marinating time, up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Handy Tips for Perfectly Cooked Chicken
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Use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F.
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Watch carefully when broiling or grilling over high heat to prevent charring or drying out.
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Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute for better moisture.
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Pound to even thickness so all parts cook through without overdoing thinner areas.
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Pat chicken dry before cooking for enhanced browning and caramelization.
Master these techniques and you’ll enjoy backyard-worthy grilled chicken breast straight from your kitchen. Ditch the grill and fire up the grill pan, oven broiler, or microwave instead for quick and easy meals. A few minutes is all it takes to get juicy, flavorful grilled chicken breast without an actual grill.
How to Know when the Pan Grilled Chicken Breasts are Done
The best way to know that chicken is done is by using a meat thermometer. Insert it in the thickest part of the chicken breasts, and you know they are ready to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Checking doneness with a meat thermometer will also prevent chicken breasts from overcooking, which results in dry chicken breasts.
How Long Does it Take to Pan Grill Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts take about 7 minutes per side to be completely cooked and safe to eat. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. However, butterflied chicken breasts are half as thick so they cook in about half the time, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
To be sure the chicken is cooked and safe to eat, check the internal temperature in the thickest part with a meat thermometer. When they reach 165F, they are done.
how to GRILL AMAZING CHICKEN Breasts recipe – NO MORE DRY CHICKEN!!
FAQ
How do I grill if I don’t have a grill?
Using a grill pan
One of the best ways to achieve some of the hallmark qualities of grilling is with a grill pan. Chef and cookbook writer James Whetlor suggests using the heaviest cast-iron grill pan you can find. The heavier the pan, the more able it is to retain heat and distribute it evenly.
Can you grill chicken in the oven?
Is chicken breast easy to grill?
Chicken breast is one of the easiest cuts of meat to grill, but getting it just right can be tricky. That’s because chicken breast has a tendency to dry out quickly on the grill if you aren’t careful. Don’t worry, though. With my simple technique, and a reliable food thermometer, you’ll be grilling tender, juicy grilled chicken breasts in no time.
Can you cook a whole chicken on a grill?
If you’re looking to barbecue a whole chicken, we recommend spatchcocking. Chicken thighs and legs will hold up better to long, slow cooking than will breasts, which can more easily dry out. If you barbecue breasts, keep them on the coolest part of the grill or follow this method.
How do you cook a grilled chicken breast?
The key to getting perfect grilled chicken breast is by using two zone cooking, which means cooking the same meat with both direct and indirect heat. Check out my guide on How to Cook with Two Zone Cooking for everything you need to know about this process, including how to set up either gas or charcoal grills for it.
How do you Grill chicken on the stovetop?
How to grill chicken on the stovetop! Here’s how we make our favorite grill-pan chicken that is juicy, flavorful and a staple in our lunch and dinner prep. Add chicken to a preheated cast iron grill pan and cook 2-3 minutes each side (don’t overcook or they’ll get dried out!) *Store in the fridge for 5 days. Or you can freeze these for 2 months.
Do grilled chicken breasts need to be dry?
Chicken breasts need not be dry. And today we’re featuring juicy grilled chicken breasts to prove it. Grilled chicken breasts tend to get a bad wrap because they often come out dry. Chicken thighs and legs, on the other hand, usually come out juicy. The reason for this difference is the fat content.