Go-to Grilled Chicken Recipes for Your Weekday Meal Lineup

Whether it's baked, fried, or grilled, chicken is a staple in most American homes. This popular protein has a mild flavor that plays well with different seasonings, and it's low in fat as long as you remove the skin. When you don't have time to sort through all the options, turn to these go-to grilled chicken recipes for quick and easy meals.

Basic Chicken Marinade

Before you toss chicken on the grill, let it marinate for an hour. This infuses the meat with flavor and helps it stay moist as it cooks on the grill. You can make your own marinade with any combination of oil (mayonnaise, olive oil, butter), acidic liquid (vinegar, citrus juice, soy sauce), and garlic or onions. Use the recipe below as a guideline, and customize it to suit your tastes.

Ingredients:

· 1/2 cup olive oil

· 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

· 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Add chicken pieces and coat well with the marinade.

3. Place chicken pieces and marinade in a re-sealable bag.

4. Remove as much air as possible from the bag.

5. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to 24 hours.

Caribbean-Style Grilled Chicken Breast

This recipe serves six.

Ingredients:

· Juice of 1 lime

· 1 teaspoon olive oil

· 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning

· 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

· 1 teaspoon oregano

· 1/2 teaspoon cumin

· 2 teaspoons freshly chopped cumin

· 6 chicken breasts

Directions:

1. Combine the lime juice, olive oil, and seasonings in a non-metal bowl.

2. Dry chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess liquid.

3. Rub chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture. Be sure to completely cover each breast and rub some of the mixture under the skin.

4. Let the chicken rest for 30 minutes.

5. Heat the grill to medium-high heat.

6. Place the chicken skin side down on the grill. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the skin has a dark, golden brown color.

7. Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Sweet and Savory Barbecue Chicken Thighs

This recipe serves six.

Ingredients:

· Basic Grilled Chicken Marinade

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

· 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

· 1/2 cup ketchup

· 1/4 cup brown sugar

· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

· 6 chicken thighs

Directions:

1. Cover chicken pieces with the Basic Grilled Chicken Marinade and let them marinate for 30 minutes to an hour.

2. Heat the grill to medium-high heat.

3. Combine spices, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until well-blended. To save time, you can substitute 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce.

4. Grill the chicken for 4 minutes on each side until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Brush the chicken with the barbecue sauce and grill for another minute. Repeat on the other side.