This simple Italian Grilled Chicken Breast recipe has great Italian flavor with a tender and moist chickenโa quick and easy weeknight grilling recipe.
Everybody needs great chicken recipes, and this one is a keeper.
๐Ingredients
Chicken breastsโskinless, boneless
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Italian seasoningโor basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, thyme
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- ๐Ingredients
- ๐จโ๐ณHow to Cook Italian Grilled Chicken BreastsโStep-by-Step
- ๐จโ๐ณHow to Oven Bake Italian Chicken Breasts
- โ๏ธTips to get it right every time
- Chicken breast recipes
- ๐ฎ๐น Homemade Italian Seasoning
- What to serve with grilled Italian chicken breasts?
- Storing leftovers
- โFAQs
- Chicken Safety Tips
- ๐The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pro Tips
These juicy and flavorful chicken breasts will be your new favorite dinner idea. Pair it with a simple salad and a white wine for an eloquent Italian dinner.
These flavorful and tender chicken breasts fit a healthy diet like a low-calorie or low-fat diet or even a low-carb keto diet.
๐จโ๐ณHow to Cook Italian Grilled Chicken BreastsโStep-by-Step
1. Trim the chicken breasts. If the thickness is over ยพ inches, flatten it with a meat mallet.
2. Optional: In a ziplock bag, mix a brine of 3 cups water, 3 tablespoons table salt, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and ยฝ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional). Add chicken, submerge, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
3. Clean and oil grill grates and preheat to a surface temperature of about 450ยฐ, which is about medium-high on most grills. I recommend a surface thermometer to be able to control your grill well.
4. If making your seasoning, use equal parts dried basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, and thyme. I used one tablespoon each and saved the extra in a small airtight container suitable for storage.
5. Mix oil and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
6. Pepper lightly on both sides and salt if not brined. Then, brush both sides with the oil mixture.
7. Place on the grill over direct heat with the grill lid closed. Flip about every 5 minutes until the internal temp is 165ยฐ.
8. It takes about 25-30 minutes in total on the grill. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
๐จโ๐ณHow to Oven Bake Italian Chicken Breasts
To oven-bake Italian chicken breasts, preheat the oven to 400ยฐ convection or 425ยฐ conventional.
Prepare the breasts like the grilling recipe, but at the point of placing them on the grill, place them on a prepared tray and bake to an internal temperature of 165ยฐโabout 25 minutes.
โ๏ธTips to get it right every time
When you pick your chicken breasts, try to get approximately the same size and thickness. If thicker than ยพ inch, flatten it out some with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan.
Brining is always good if you have time for chicken breast to prevent drying. I suggest a brine of 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Grill temperature is very important when cooking skinless boneless chicken breasts. You generally want a surface temperature of about 450ยฐ for chicken. See my discussion about controlling Grill Temperature for more details.
Chicken breast recipes
Check out my tutorial about chicken breasts at How to Grill Chicken Breasts. Or see for other specific options see Blackened Chicken Breasts, Honey Garlic Chicken, Grilled Buttermilk Chicken, or Lemon Chicken Marinade.
๐ฎ๐น Homemade Italian Seasoning
I believe in individual herbs and spices for the best freshness and taste. This recipe includes instructions for individual spices, but you may use a commercial Italian spice mix.
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What to serve with grilled Italian chicken breasts?
Serve with a garden salad or hot side dishes of Stuffed Tomatoes, Grilled Mixed Vegetables, or Grilled Corn on the Cob. And a nice bread like Julia Child French Bread or Easy Dinner Rolls.
Storing leftovers
Seal leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 4 days or freeze for 4 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat in an oven or air fryer. A microwave may be used but may affect the texture.
โFAQs
Chicken breasts are very lean meat that will tend to dry quickly during cooking. Previously frozen chicken breasts are more prone to drying since freeze will force some moisture out of the cells.
The first is not to overcook the chicken. 165ยฐ is the minimum safe internal temperature, and you should reach it, but try not to overcook the breasts.
The second, especially if previously frozen, is to brine the chicken to add moisture before cooking.
Chicken Safety Tips
We no longer rinse chicken ( see Chickenโฆ To Rinse or Not To Rinse? ) except, after a brine, the breast should be rinsed with great care to remove extra salt.
To be safe to eat, all chicken must reach 165ยฐ according to the USDA guidelines.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
๐The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Italian Grilled Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ยฝ teaspoon dried basil
- ยฝ teaspoon oregano
- ยฝ teaspoon marjoram
- ยฝ teaspoon rosemary
- ยฝ teaspoon thyme
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Trim the chicken breasts. If the thickness is over ยพ inches, flatten it with a meat mallet.
- Optional: In a ziplock bag, mix a brine of 3 cups water, 3 tablespoons table salt, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and ยฝ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional). Add chicken and submerge and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Clean and oil grill grates and preheat to a surface temperature of about 450ยฐ, which is about medium-high on most grills. I recommend a surface thermometer to be able to control your grill well.
- If making your seasoning, use equal parts dried basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, and thyme. I used one tablespoon each and saved the extra in a small airtight container suitable for storage.
- Mix oil and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning.
- Pepper lightly on both sides and salt if not brined. Then brush both sides with the oil mixture. Place on the grill over direct heat with the grill lid closed.
- Flip about every 5 minutes until the internal temp is 165ยฐ. About 25-30 minutes total on the grill. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Brining is optional but recommended. If you brine, rinse carefully after and do not add any more salt.
- Try to get approximately the same size and thickness of chicken breasts. If one is significantly thicker, flatten it out some with a meat mallet or bottom of a heavy pan.
- As with all grilled chicken, you need to get the surface temperature correct, or you will have poor results.
- Use the Italian season you want, or I have included a recommended homemade version.
- Grill to 165ยฐ, and be sure to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with salad or pastaโother suggestions in the post.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor's Note: Originally published July 16, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
marge says
Has anyone done this in the oven? how is it? dry?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Marge,
Welcome to the blog.
This recipe can be cooked in the oven. Use the seasoning and brine if you wish. Follow https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/baked-chicken-breasts/ which is for convection ovens but just up the temp by 25ยฐ if no convections. If the breasts are thicker than 3/4 inch, thin them down like the oven recipe suggests.
Dan
Jane Leaf says
I added a clove of crushed garlic, my husband loved it.
Anita says
The grilling time seems o be a little long for just 2 boneless breasts, especially at 450* over direct heat. Wonโt they burn and dry out?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Anita,r
Welcome to the blog.
That is about the right cooking time if your grill surface temperature is 450. But there are a lot of variables. Total size and thickness of the breast. The starting temperature of the meat etc. So as always, cook to a final internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat. Never cook by time alone.
If you have smaller/thinner breasts or if you flatten the breast some, that time will decrease by 5 minutes or more.
Dan
DrDan says
No clue... But try this recipe and make your own.
DrDan
Dr Dan says
Really almost any spice recipe works. Just know your grills hot spots and avoid them or turn the heat down and take a little longer
Sage says
This looks really good.Wonder if I would used my fresh herbs to make this juicy recipe.
Rita
Dr Dan says
I remember using it 20 years ago but I much prefer the make your own method if possible for most recipes.
I'm working on a Jerk recipe and I think I will wimp and reach for the jar. Way more work than I want to do but Italian was simple.
Chris says
Laugh if you want, but bottled Italian dressing was the first chicken marinade when my buddies and I were 18/19 learning to cook on our own.
But taking your approach is much more tailored to personal tastes! Then again, I didn't have such a nice grill back then either:)