How to Grill Chicken Breasts

1. Stage

First things first: Tenderize the meat a bit. This step helps cook the chicken evenly, keeping one end from drying out before the other has time to cook. Place a large piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap on your work surface, place the chicken on top and cover the chicken with another piece of parchment or plastic. Next, grab a meat mallet or rolling pin and give the thickest part of the chicken a few firm whacks—if you've ever learned how to butterfly a chicken, these are the same first steps. You don't need to pulverize the cut, but do flatten it slightly so the breast is an even thickness from end to end.

2. Stage

Now it's time to marinate that bird. Place the vinegar, oil, lemon juice and lemon pepper into a medium-size bowl or pan, then add the chicken. Turn and flip the chicken to coat, then cover. Thinking about skipping this step? Think again. Marinade is a crucial part of keeping your chicken juicy (and adding extra flavor). Take a look at these marinade recipes for more options. Once covered, pop the chicken in the fridge. After 30 minutes or so, drain and discard the marinade. Test Kitchen Tip: Compared to beef and pork, chicken doesn't need to marinate for long—especially if the marinade includes acidic ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice or buttermilk. All it takes is 30 minutes to a couple of hours at most for an acidic marinade to work its way into the meat. If you're running short on time, remember that some time spent marinating is better than none at all.

3. Stage

When it comes to grilled food, it's best to start with clean grill grates. Check to make sure the grill is free of stuck-on food before you begin. The quickest way to clean a stainless steel grill is to turn up the heat to burn off the gunk, let it cool and scrub it down. Once clean, you'll want to brush the grill rack with oil. Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil, then use long-handled tongs to carefully rub it over the grill rack.

4. Stage

Turn the heat up to medium, then use tongs to place the chicken breasts on the grill. If using a charcoal grill, you can gauge the temperature by holding your hand five inches above the cooking grate. If you can keep it there comfortably for four to six seconds, it's at medium heat. Cover the grill and let the chicken cook for five to seven minutes, then use tongs to flip the breasts over. Grill for five to seven minutes longer. For best results, pull out your meat thermometer. A fully cooked chicken breast will reach a temperature of 165°F. Test Kitchen Tip: If you plan to brush on a sweet glaze such as barbecue sauce, wait until the last few minutes of cooking. Sugary sauces tend to get dark quickly.

5. Stage

When you first learn how to make grilled chicken, you'll probably want to eat it the second it comes off the grill. However, it's best to be patient. Remove the chicken from the grill, cover with foil and let the chicken rest. This is absolutely key to keeping the chicken tender! Letting the meat rest for about five minutes gives the juices inside time to redistribute (instead of running out on your plate). By the time the table's set, your juicy grilled chicken will be ready for you to chow down.