Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
Easy Butterflied Chicken delivers crispy skin and juicy meat. This recipe solves the problem of dry grilled chicken. After making this many times, I know the secret to perfect results. Crispy golden skin with juicy meat. Try my Easy Sticky Coconut Cake Recipe for a delicious dessert. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sticky Coconut Cake Recipe with Sweet Coconut Flavor and Moist Blackberry Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Why This Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy skin with juicy meat
- Perfect for grilling
- Quick and easy to make
- Family favorite
What You'll Need for Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs (skin-on)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh herbs
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Sauce of choice
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs: Bone-in thighs give more flavor and moisture.
- Garlic: Mincing it helps infuse the chicken with more flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Grill thermometer — Ensures the chicken is cooked to the right temperature. → See on Amazon
- Basting brush — Helps apply marinade or sauce evenly. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
- Prepare: Butterfly the chicken thighs by cutting along the bone to open them flat.
- Marinate: In a bowl, mix garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture over the chicken.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Cook chicken skin-side down for 6-8 minutes until golden. Flip and cook 5-7 minutes more.
- Rest: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
- Best technique: Butterflying the chicken ensures even cooking and crispy skin.
- Common mistake and fix: Grilling over high heat can dry out the chicken. Use medium-high heat and check the internal temperature.
- Time saver: Marinate the chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Storing & Reheating Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate up to 24 hours in advance.
Freezing Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in 30-second intervals to avoid drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Butterflying the chicken ensures even cooking and crispy skin.
- Best substitution: Use chicken breasts if you prefer white meat.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for larger groups.
- Troubleshooting: If the chicken is dry, check the internal temperature. It should read 165°F.
Want to level up this recipe?
Grill brush — Keeps the grill clean and ensures even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs (skin-on)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh herbs
- Lemon wedges
- Sauce of choice
Instructions
- Prepare: Butterfly the chicken thighs by cutting along the bone to open them flat.
- Marinate: In a bowl, mix garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture over the chicken.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Cook chicken skin-side down for 6-8 minutes until golden. Flip and cook 5-7 minutes more.
- Rest: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
Notes
- Chef tip: Butterflying the chicken ensures even cooking and crispy skin.
- Best substitution: Use chicken breasts if you prefer white meat.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for larger groups.
- Troubleshooting: If the chicken is dry, check the internal temperature. It should read 165°F.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in 30-second intervals to avoid drying out.
- Make ahead: Marinate up to 24 hours in advance.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling FAQs
Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Cook it just before grilling for best results.
Dry chicken often happens from overcooking or cooking over high heat. Use medium-high heat and check the internal temperature. It should read 165°F.
Yes, freeze the cooked chicken in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs. They cook faster, so adjust the grill time accordingly.
Yes, grilling is perfect for summer. Keep the grill at medium-high heat and serve with fresh side dishes.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Butterflied Chicken for Grilling and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
