Chicken breast hits 165°F in exactly 6 minutes per side—any longer and proteins squeeze out 40% of their moisture.
Grilled Chicken Breast
Savor the mouthwatering goodness of perfectly grilled chicken breasts that are juicy and bursting with flavor! Marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, these tender cuts are a breeze to prepare on the grill. Get ready to impress your taste buds and elevate your next BBQ with this irresistible dish!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This dead-simple American grilling method actually descended from 1960s California backyard barbecue culture, where post-war suburbanites took ancient Mediterranean olive oil techniques and slammed them into Native American wood-fire cooking—what you're making is basically a conquistador's fever dream that somehow became every soccer mom's Tuesday night salvation across Middle America.
Regional Twist
In Louisiana's Acadiana parishes, they swap the garlic powder for fresh minced garlic mixed with cayenne, then brush the olive oil mixture with local cane syrup during the final two minutes of grilling.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- black pepper (to taste)
- garlic powder (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- 2
In a bowl, mix olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- 3
Coat the chicken breast with the mixture.
- 4
Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
- 5
Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Brine chicken breasts in 6% salt solution for 30-45 minutes before grilling to increase moisture retention by up to 15% and ensure even seasoning throughout.technique6% salt solution, 30-45 minutes
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to uniform 3/4-inch thickness because uneven thickness creates hot spots where thin areas overcook while thick areas remain undercooked.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Preheat grill to 425-450°F and use a two-zone setup with direct heat for searing and indirect heat for finishing to prevent exterior charring while ensuring 165°F internal temperature.equipment425-450°F, 165°F internal
- ✓Rest grilled chicken for exactly 5 minutes under loose foil to allow muscle fibers to relax and redistribute juices, preventing up to 30% moisture loss when slicing.timing5 minutes, 30% moisture loss
- ✓Apply oil mixture 15-20 minutes before grilling to allow salt to penetrate surface proteins and garlic powder to hydrate, creating better flavor adhesion and browning.timing15-20 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Chicken breast hits 165°F in exactly 6 minutes per side—any longer and proteins squeeze out 40% of their moisture.
Grilled Chicken Breast
Savor the mouthwatering goodness of perfectly grilled chicken breasts that are juicy and bursting with flavor! Marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, these tender cuts are a breeze to prepare on the grill. Get ready to impress your taste buds and elevate your next BBQ with this irresistible dish!
The Story
This dead-simple American grilling method actually descended from 1960s California backyard barbecue culture, where post-war suburbanites took ancient Mediterranean olive oil techniques and slammed them into Native American wood-fire cooking—what you're making is basically a conquistador's fever dream that somehow became every soccer mom's Tuesday night salvation across Middle America.
Regional Twist
In Louisiana's Acadiana parishes, they swap the garlic powder for fresh minced garlic mixed with cayenne, then brush the olive oil mixture with local cane syrup during the final two minutes of grilling.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- black pepper (to taste)
- garlic powder (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- 2
In a bowl, mix olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- 3
Coat the chicken breast with the mixture.
- 4
Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
- 5
Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Brine chicken breasts in 6% salt solution for 30-45 minutes before grilling to increase moisture retention by up to 15% and ensure even seasoning throughout.technique6% salt solution, 30-45 minutes
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to uniform 3/4-inch thickness because uneven thickness creates hot spots where thin areas overcook while thick areas remain undercooked.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Preheat grill to 425-450°F and use a two-zone setup with direct heat for searing and indirect heat for finishing to prevent exterior charring while ensuring 165°F internal temperature.equipment425-450°F, 165°F internal
- ✓Rest grilled chicken for exactly 5 minutes under loose foil to allow muscle fibers to relax and redistribute juices, preventing up to 30% moisture loss when slicing.timing5 minutes, 30% moisture loss
- ✓Apply oil mixture 15-20 minutes before grilling to allow salt to penetrate surface proteins and garlic powder to hydrate, creating better flavor adhesion and browning.timing15-20 minutes