Juicy Grilled Chicken Recipe: Backyard Flavor Perfection

Sizzling summer nights call for a mouthwatering grilled chicken recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

This simple yet incredibly flavorful dish brings together juicy chicken marinated in a blend of zesty herbs and spices.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of smoky charred edges and tender, succulent meat.

The marinade infuses each piece with depth and complexity that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, this grilled chicken recipe transforms an ordinary meal into a culinary celebration.

Fire up the grill and get ready to savor a dinner that’s sure to become a summer staple.

How to Serve Grilled Chicken with Style

• Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair these zesty grilled chicken drumsticks with cool, creamy tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired meal that balances the spicy harissa marinade.
• Bright Side Companions: Serve alongside a fresh Israeli couscous salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs to complement the chicken's bold, tangy flavors.
• Fresh Garden Plate: Create a light quinoa tabbouleh with parsley, mint, and lemon juice to cut through the richness of the grilled meat and add a refreshing element to your plate.
• Saucy Sidekick: Whip up a quick green herb sauce with cilantro, mint, and yogurt to drizzle over the chicken, enhancing its aromatic spice profile and adding a cool, creamy contrast.

Best Storage for Grilled Chicken Leftovers

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover grilled chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to lock in moisture and prevent bacterial growth, keeping meat fresh and delicious for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual chicken pieces in aluminum foil or freezer-safe plastic wrap before placing in freezer bags. Label with date and contents. Frozen grilled chicken maintains top quality for up to 4 months when stored properly.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Revive chilled chicken by warming in oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Drizzle small amount of chicken broth or water over meat to prevent drying out. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
• Meal Prep Genius: Slice leftover grilled chicken into strips for quick salads, wraps, or grain bowls. Cut meat can be stored separately and added to various dishes throughout the week, saving time and reducing food waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 21

What You Need for Grilled Chicken

• Chicken Drumsticks: Provide the main protein base with rich, tender meat perfect for grilling and absorbing deep flavors.
• Harissa Paste: Adds vibrant North African spicy-smoky heat and complex flavor profile to the chicken.

• Garlic Cloves: Deliver robust, pungent undertones that complement the chicken's richness.
• Red Onion: Introduces sweet-sharp notes and creates wonderful caramelization during grilling.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers warm, slightly sweet undertones that balance the spicy harissa.
• Dried Thyme: Brings earthy, herbal dimensions to the overall seasoning.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Creates smooth marinade base and helps ingredients adhere to chicken.
• Lime or Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy acidity that tenderizes meat and cuts through richness.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing out natural chicken flavors and seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity.
• Sumac: Introduces tart, lemony undertones with Middle Eastern culinary signature.

Essential Tools for Grilling Chicken

• Food processor: Essential for blending marinade ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing chicken with marinade and coating evenly.
• Paper towels: Great for drying chicken and removing excess moisture.
• Outdoor grill: Key tool for achieving those beautiful char marks and smoky flavor.
• Tongs: Helpful for safely turning chicken drumsticks during grilling.
• Zip-top bag (optional): Alternative to bowl for marinating chicken.
• Cutting board: Useful for preparing ingredients and slicing onions.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing onions and preparing marinade ingredients.

How to Cook Grilled Chicken Step-by-Step

• Flavor Explosion Preparation

Craft a zesty marinade by blending garlic, harissa, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, and citrus juice into a vibrant mixture that will transform ordinary chicken into a taste sensation.

• Chicken Massage

Pat chicken dry and lovingly coat with the marinade, working the mixture deeply into every crevice to ensure maximum flavor penetration.

• Marination Magic

Let the chicken bathe in its flavorful coat, either in the refrigerator for several hours or at room temperature for a quick flavor boost.

• Grill Setup

Fire up the grill to a medium heat, creating the perfect stage for your flavor-packed chicken performance.

• Grilling Dance

Carefully place chicken on the grill, turning every eight minutes to achieve a perfectly golden and crispy exterior while maintaining juicy internal goodness.

• Serving Triumph

Remove chicken from grill when it’s beautifully charred and cooked through, then plate alongside your favorite accompaniments for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Grilled Chicken Flavor Tips and Additions

• Swap harissa for other spicy pastes like sriracha or gochujang to create exciting new taste profiles that'll surprise your taste buds.
• Let chicken absorb maximum flavor by piercing meat with small fork holes before adding marinade, allowing deeper seasoning penetration.
• For extra crispy skin, pat chicken completely dry before grilling and consider briefly placing drumsticks over direct high heat during final cooking minutes to achieve beautiful golden-brown exterior.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley right before serving to add bright, fresh notes that complement the rich, spicy marinade and elevate overall dish complexity.
• Transform remaining grilled chicken into delicious salads, sandwiches, or shred meat for tacos by storing in airtight container within 3-4 days of original cooking date.

Mouthwatering Grilled Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 21 1x

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Description

Mediterranean grilled chicken emerges as a flavorful culinary journey through Greece’s sun-drenched landscapes. Marinated in herbs, lemon, and olive oil, this dish promises a delightful blend of zesty and savory notes you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 20 large chicken drumsticks
• 6 tbsps (90 mL) harissa paste
• ¼ cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• 15 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 large red onion, sliced
• Juice of 2 large limes or lemons
• 1½ tsp sumac
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

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Instructions

1. Marinade Preparation: Blend garlic, harissa paste, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, and citrus juice in a food processor. Gradually incorporate olive oil until achieving a smooth, cohesive mixture.
2. Chicken Preparation: Thoroughly dry drumsticks with kitchen towels, then season comprehensively with salt and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Marinating Process: Submerge chicken in the prepared marinade within a spacious non-reactive container, massaging thoroughly to guarantee deep flavor penetration. Intersperse thinly sliced onions throughout the meat. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight, allowing flavors to meld completely.
4. Grill Setup: Preheat outdoor grill to a medium heat zone of 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove chicken from marinade, gently shaking off excess liquid, and arrange drumsticks on grill grates with sufficient spacing for uniform cooking.
5. Grilling Technique: Rotate drumsticks every 8 minutes to ensure consistent heat distribution. Cook for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Discard remaining marinade and onions after cooking.
6. Serving: Present the grilled drumsticks with complementary side dishes, providing napkins for convenient dining.

Notes

• Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken to avoid harmful bacteria spread.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Massage marinade thoroughly under chicken skin to ensure deep, rich flavor penetration throughout the meat.
• Monitor Grill Temperature: Maintain consistent medium heat between 375-400°F to achieve perfectly charred exterior without burning chicken.
• Rest Meat After Grilling: Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, ensuring tender and succulent meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 21
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg