So, what to do?
Grilled Chicken Breast: The Solution (Brine!)
One method is to marinate chicken cutlets, or chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness, and quickly grill them on high heat. We use this method for our cilantro lime chicken and it works fine. Another way, which doesn’t require you to change the shape of the chicken breasts, is to brine the chicken first.
VIDEO! How To Grill Boneless Chicken Breasts
How Long To Brine Chicken Breasts
All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out. With a half an hour of brining, the salt that is absorbed isn’t so much that the chicken becomes salty, but it is enough so that the flavor of the grilled chicken will be enhanced. We would normally salt grilled chicken breasts, right? You don’t need to do that if you brine.
How To Grill Chicken Breasts
Then it’s a simple rub with paprika (great for color) and olive oil (no sticking on the grill). Onto the hot side of the grill the chicken goes for searing, then the cool side for finishing. And you have beautiful, perfectly juicy grilled chicken breasts!
Love Grilled Chicken? Try These Recipes!
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Barbecued Chicken on the Grill Chipotle Grilled Chicken and Avocado Sandwich Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer when cooking meat that’s at least an inch thick. I take chicken off the grill at a little bit lower temp (155°F) than is usually recommended for poultry, but that’s because the chicken will continue to cook for several minutes once it’s off the heat and resting. Taking the chicken off the heat at this temperature helps insure that the meat doesn’t overcook and get dried out. If you feel more comfortable taking the chicken off the heat at a higher internal temperature, please feel free to do so.
4 cups water 33 grams salt (1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt, or 2 tablespoons Morton kosher salt, or 1 1/2 tablespoons fine sea salt)
For the chicken:
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for the grill) 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
When the chicken pieces have browned on one side, turn them over, and move them to the cooler side of the grill (low heat, not no heat). Cover, and let them finish cooking. Remove chicken from grill when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 155°F.
