How long to grill thin sliced chicken breast

Time, Temperature and Technique

The rich, smoky flavor the grill imparts enhances the taste and texture of any cut of chicken. We’ve compiled a few tried-and-true guidelines to get you grilling, no matter if you’re planning to grill a batch of wings or the whole bird.

Table of Contents Show

Time, Temperature and Technique
How to Grill Chicken Breast
How to Make Marinade for Grilled Chicken Breasts
How Long to Marinate Chicken
How Long to Grill Chicken Breasts
More Grilled Favorites
Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts
Amazing Salads to Pair with Grilled Chicken
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Recipes you'll love
latest & greatest
How long do you cook thin sliced chicken breast on the grill?
How do you cook thin chicken breasts on a gas grill?
What temp should grill be for thin chicken breast?
How long do you grill raw chicken breast?

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Time: 5 to 6 minutes per side
Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F

Chicken Tenders
Time: 2 to 3 minutes per side
Temperature: Medium-high (375˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F

Chicken Wings
Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Temperature: Medium (350˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat and turn regularly (3 minutes on each side until 165˚F)

Drumsticks
Time: 30 minutes
Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat, rotating every few minutes until 165˚F

Thighs (Bone-In)
Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F) for direct heat, medium-low (300˚F) for indirect heat
Best technique: Sear chicken skin side down over direct heat until golden brown, about three minutes. Flip and sear for another three minutes; transfer to indirect heat and continue grilling, rotating and flipping occasionally until 165˚F.

Boneless Skinless Thighs
Time: 7 to 8 minutes per side
Temperature: Medium-high (375˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F

Whole Chicken
Time: 50 minutes
Temperature: Medium-high (375˚F)
Best technique: Butterfly the chicken (spatchcock) by cutting out the backbone. Position the chicken skin side up over indirect heat and turn once during cooking. For best results, put foil-covered brick or cast iron skillet on top to flatten the chicken and encourage even cooking.

Skip the Guesswork
Using a digital meat thermometer is the best way to ensure chicken on the grill has reached the safe minimum temperature of 165˚F. Insert thermometer into the thickest portion of the cut, avoiding any bones, to get the most accurate temperature. When the chicken has reached a safe temperature, remove from the grill, cover, and let rest for five minutes before slicing or serving to let the juices reabsorb into the meat.

Use Direct and Indirect Heat
Temperature control is essential when grilling chicken. For cuts that require longer grilling times, such as a whole chicken or dark meats like drumsticks and thighs, you’ll need both direct and indirect heat zones on your grill. Indirect heat cooks foods slower and more evenly by using the heat from the grill without direct exposure to the fire and flames, which can burn chicken cuts that require longer cook times. Grilling only on direct heat zones is generally better for smaller chicken portions, like chicken breasts, tenders, and wings, which are less than a few inches thick.

Basting and Saucing Tips
From barbecue sauce to pesto, the sugar content in most sauces makes them easy to scorch, so wait to baste or add sauce until near the end of grilling. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the thermometer hits 160˚F to add a sauce high in sugar content. After saucing or basting, it’s best to grill on an indirect heat zone to finish without burning.

Grilled Chicken Breast is a quick meal with tender juicy chicken in a flavorful marinade. It’s extra quick to make and perfect to enjoy on its own, add to pasta, or even put on top of a salad!

A quick and flavorful marinade and an even quicker grill time means this is meal on the table in no time at all!

How to Grill Chicken Breast

Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts are always on our table in the winter but come warm weather our table is filled with recipes from the grill or BBQ! It’s easy to make:

Pound Chicken Pound chicken to 1/2″ thickness for perfectly even (and quick) cooking.
Marinate Prep the marinade (per the recipe below) and let the chicken marinate for about 30 minutes or so. This adds flavor and keeps it juicy.
Grill Preheat grill to medium-high heat and cook chicken for about 6-8 min per side. This seals the juices in keeping your chicken breasts nice and moist. The higher heat gives a nice sear adding the char from the barbecue that we all love so much!

Boneless chicken breasts are very lean and can dry out easily if overcooked so be sure not to overcook. To make tender grilled chicken breasts, marinate them for about 30 minutes (I like to prep my sides while I wait).

How to Make Marinade for Grilled Chicken Breasts

A marinade is the perfect way to add flavor to grilled chicken (and it can help tenderize). I try to allow for 30 minutes or more if possible! There are a few essential ingredients in a marinade.

Oil: Most often the base of marinades.
Acid: This helps tenderize the meat by breaking down tougher proteins (vinegar/lemon juice)
Sugar: Helps with flavor and the caramelization process. (honey/brown sugar).
Seasonings: This is the flavor profile, you can use anything from Italian seasoning to curry powder to season your marinade. This may or may not include salt.
Time: Give yourself time to allow your meat to marinade. The purpose of the marinade is not only to add flavor but to help tenderize your meat.

How Long to Marinate Chicken

Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 min and up to 4hrs.

This allows enough time for the marinade to work its magic and add flavor while tenderizing the meat.

Longer than 4 hours can change the texture of the chicken making it mushy.

I love making grilled chicken breasts in large batches to put on top of salads, in weekly meal prep, into quick pasta dishes, or even into chicken noodle soup! It goes so well with just about anything.

How Long to Grill Chicken Breasts

This answer can fluctuate depending on how hot your grill gets and the thickness of your chicken breasts.

In this grilled chicken breast recipe, pound the chicken if it is extremely thick in some parts and thin in other parts for even cooking. Once your chicken breasts are marinated, place them on the grill. Cook them for 7-8 minutes on one side, not lifting during the cooking process (you don’t want to lose the grill marks!)

Flip your chicken and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the largest part of the chicken breast reads 165°F.

It is important to allow your chicken to rest about 3-5 minutes before cutting to keep it juicy (just enough time to fill your plates and get to the table). Serve with your favorite sides, and preferably on a patio with a big pitcher of Easy White Sangria!

More Grilled Favorites

Grilled Zucchini – The perfect summer recipe
Grilled Herb Marinated Veggie Skewers – Any veggie works!
Lemon Parmesan Grilled Asparagus – Great with steaks too!
Grilled Potato Packets – Favorite recipe!
Homemade Garlic Bread – Perfect with every summer meal!

Did your family love these Grilled Chicken Breasts? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

4.98 from 271 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts

Tender marinated chicken breasts grilled to juicy perfection!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

▢ ⅓ cup oil olive oil or vegetable oil
▢ ¼ cup cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
▢ 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
▢ 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice
▢ 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
▢ 1 tablespoon Kosher salt or to taste
▢ 1 tablespoon pepper
▢ 1 tablespoon sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl or freezer bag. Add chicken and toss well to combine.
Marinade for a 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) before cooking chicken.
Preheat grill to medium high heat.
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
Place chicken on the grill for 7-8 minutes. Flip over and cook an additional 7-8 minutes or until no pink remains and chicken reaches 165°F.
Rest 3-5 minutes before slicing.

Nutritional information includes 1/2 of the marinade (as the remainder is discarded).

4.98 from 271 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Amazing Salads to Pair with Grilled Chicken

Or served with a side of zucchini salad and corn on the cob on a hot summer evening! This easy, healthy recipe produces tender and plump marinated chicken breasts that are grilled to golden perfection.

Greek Salad
BLT Pasta Salad – a big hit!
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad – a family favorite!
Southwest Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Zucchini Salad (spiralized)

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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latest & greatest

How long do you cook thin sliced chicken breast on the grill?

Step 4: Grill When pounded thin, chicken breasts only need 2 to 3 minutes per side…no more! If you try to flip the chicken and it feels stuck, try giving it 30 seconds. It'll release naturally when it's ready.

How do you cook thin chicken breasts on a gas grill?

Preheat gas grill before cooking to medium-high heat or 350-400° F. Lightly grease grill surface and add chicken. Close lid and cook 8 minutes, or until bottoms are browned with sear marks. Rotate chicken, close lid, reduce heat to medium and cook 7-10 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches 165° F.