Grilled chicken is so easy and versatile! That’s why I always grill a double-batch and save the extras for other meals I’ve planned for the week. From salads and sandwiches to pastas and rice dishes, grilled chicken makes it easy to whip-up a healthy meal.
Here are just a few ideas on how you can use grilled chicken to create quick, nutritious meals:
• Veggie Zoodle Stirfry w/Leftover Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Chicken Salad
What are you’re favorite ways to use leftover grilled chicken?
Another favorite, is Grilled Balsamic Chicken – it’s especially delicious with fettuccine alfredo and can also be used to turn your favorite summer salad into a satisfying light supper.
And whether you’re a novice, or veteran griller, be sure to check out my Top 10 Best Grilling Tips for some secrets of success that are certain to take your grilled foods to a whole new level of excellence!
Ingredients
- 1 pound organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp each of dried thyme, dried rosemary and garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise, to form two thinly-sliced breasts. or cut breasts into strips (chicken tenders).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil and seasonings. Add chicken and use a fork to turn chicken over a few times to thoroughly coat with marinade.
- Tightly cover bowl. Place in frig and allow to marinate at least one hour or overnight.
- When ready to cook, preheat grill to medium high heat and grill 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked through.
Notes
Whether you’re a novice, or veteran griller, be sure to check out my Top 10 Best Grilling Tips for some secrets of success that are certain to take your grilled foods to a whole new level of excellence!
We had lots of family over today. I made this chicken for our niece who has a sensitive tummy. She’s almost 12 years old and commented 4 times on how good the chicken was. For her to even compliment someone’s food is something!! We appreciate your simple, healthy, and delicious recipes! Thank you Kelly!
Thank you so much, Andrea, for taking time to leave a kind note! I am so happy your niece enjoyed the chicken. It’s one of our favorites. Have a blessed 4th of July!! 🙂 Kelly
Thank you, Kelly! Hope you have a blessed 4th as well. Just wanted to add that today there was one chicken breast left over. It was awesome cold on sandwich bread with honey mustard, mayo, and sliced, homegrown tomato!
Mmm! 🙂
Made this tonight for my four kiddos. Excellent! And I made a double batch and froze the marinated chicken to cook for later. Thank you for all of your helpful tips.
You are so welcome! So glad you and your kiddos enjoyed this. It’s one of our favorite easy go-to recipes as well. And I also do just what you did – marinate and freeze for an even quicker future meal. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a kind note! Blessings, Kelly 🙂
Im cooking this chicken for my class mates and, I’m wondering what the reciepe would be for 7-8 people.
Hi, Nia. Since this serves 4, you could double it and get 8 servings. Hope you have a wonderful dinner with your friends! Blessings, Kelly 🙂
Thank you , I tried it out on the grill and it was perfect your a really excellent cook! Blessings, Nia
Thank you so much for your kind words! So glad you enjoyed this! Blessings, Kelly 🙂
Hi Kelly. Just discovered your site today and have found some great tips and recipes, so, thank you! I was wondering how you think this chicken would turn out cooked in a skillet? We just moved into our first home and don’t own a grill yet 🙂 Blessings.
Hi, Jennifer. Welcome to The Nourishing Home. So glad the Lord led you here. To answer your question, skillet fried chicken is delicious in it’s own rite, but it is not the same as a grilled – won’t have that classic grilled flavor. But … I would say, go for it. Because it will still be good! Be sure to use a nice medium-high heat so you can get a good sear on it. Then reduce temp and cover after flipping so it will cook through. Blessings, Kelly
Hello Kelly. This recipe looks wonderful. What heat level do you suggest for cooking these chicken breasts on the grill? Would medium do, or medium high?
Thank you,
Jill
Hi, Jill! Thank you so much for pointing out that I forgot to put in the grill temp. It should have read preheat grill wot medium-high heat. I just fixed it. Thanks again for taking the time to let me know I left this important note out. Blessings, Kelly 🙂
Thank you! I actually find that a lot of grill recipes don’t include the temperature/heat instructions, so this will be a very helpful guideline for a lot of the chicken recipes that my husband and I will grill in the future. We’ve been trying to find just the right setting to get the perfect bit of char, and now I think we have it. Have a wonderful day!
Jill, you’re welcome and you raise a great point. Each grill definitely has it’s own unique heat profile, so as you get used to your grill, you’ll find where it has hotter spots and how to adjust the temp to cook food the way you like it. I wrote a brief grilling tips post last summer you might find helpful as well. I love to grill! It’s so quick and easy and the clean-up is well, virtually nothing. LOL! 🙂
http://thenourishinghome.com/2013/06/top-10-grilling-tips/
Where do you buy your chicken breasts? I have such a hard time finding quality breasts that are affordable.
Hi, Rachel. We have a Whole Foods close by and if I purchase there I know exactly the farm the breasts come from (which is great), but it’s more expensive per pound (about $6.99). Or I can opt to simply purchase organic breasts from Trader Joes which run about $5.99 per pound. To save money, I often replace boneless, skinless chicken thighs which tend to be anywhere from $1-2 less per pound than chicken breasts. But yes, you’re right, it is hard to find good quality meats at affordable prices. One tip – treat meat as a side dish, not a main course. That really helps to not only stretch meat, but also ensure your family is eating more of the healthy veggies, salad and whatever other sides you include with your meal. 🙂 Blessings, Kelly
Thanks you so much for responding. We unfortunately don’t have those stores near by but those are great suggestions. We do make trips a couple times a year towards the bigger city to stock up so I will definitely look next time I go. Right now we just use shredded chicken off of a whole chicken that I can get pastured locally but I definitely miss my breasts, especially during summer grilling!! Thanks.
Rachel, I do that too – use shredded chicken from whole chickens a lot. It’s certainly more economical, so keep up the great work! Remember to use the leftover chicken bones to make some good nutritious stock, if you aren’t already 🙂 http://thenourishinghome.com/2014/02/slow-cooker-bone-broth/
This chicken is delicious!! I made it tonight for the second time for a large family get together, and everyone loved it
Thanks, Heather! I am so glad your family enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind note! Blessings, Kelly ::
First, we really like this, and it’s become my go-to recipe when I need to cook chicken breasts by themselves! If I don’t want to grill, I follow the cooking directions you list for the “Date Night Chicken” recipe (brown in skillet heated to medium high until golden brown, then flip, and continue cooking until golden brown on the second side, about 2-3 minutes per side). For benefit of other cooks who are hesitant to depart from a recipe (as I was until very recently!) I wanted to add a “formula” to adapt the marinade seasonings to whatever you have on hand or feel like eating: for each pound of meat use 1.25-1.5 teaspoons of seasoning, using no more than 0.5 teaspoons of any one spice. For example, when cooking at the home of a relative who didn’t have all the seasonings listed, I used 0.25 t each of dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, regular salt (no sea salt available), and 1/8 t pepper. The chicken tasted great! Now I can’t help thinking of more combinations… Time to buy more chicken!
Thanks for the kind note, Kim. I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe and love your ideas for adapting the seasonings for a delicious change of pace. Thank you for taking the time to share your recommendations with us! You are a blessing! 🙂