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Juicy No-Fail Grilled Chicken Breasts Easy Perfect Char Recipe

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A simple grilled chicken breast recipe that delivers juicy meat with a perfect char every time, using straightforward seasoning and smart grilling techniques.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces or 170 grams each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure proper charring.
  2. In a bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well to make a uniform spice blend.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts and rub to coat evenly. Sprinkle the seasoning mix all over the chicken, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F or 200°C). If using charcoal, wait until the coals are covered with white ash and spread evenly.
  5. Place the chicken breasts on the grill. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on the first side without moving them to develop a perfect char.
  6. Flip the chicken using tongs and cook for another 5-6 minutes.
  7. Check doneness using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part; it should read 165°F (74°C). If no thermometer is available, cut into the chicken to ensure juices run clear and meat is opaque.
  8. Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer to a plate. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the breasts and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Slice against the grain for tenderness and serve.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure good sear and char. Oil the chicken, not the grill, to prevent sticking. Avoid flipping too often to lock in juices. Use a two-zone fire if using charcoal for better heat control. Let the chicken rest after grilling to redistribute juices. If chicken browns too fast, move to a cooler part of the grill. Do not press down on the chicken while grilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken breasts, juicy chicken, easy grilled chicken, perfect char, backyard BBQ, simple chicken recipe, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/juicy-no-fail-grilled-chicken-breasts-easy-perfect-char-recipe/