Top 5 easy homemade grilled chicken recipes

Grilled chicken is a go-to favorite for family gatherings and friendly get-togethers, but buying it from outside can be pricey and the flavor often misses the mark – not to mention the uncertainty of ingredient freshness. If you’re always on the hunt for delicious, easy-to-make grilled chicken recipes that aren’t dry and suit your family’s taste, let X-BBQ introduce you to the Top 5 Simple Grilled Chicken Recipes to Make at Home. From the mild sweetness of honey-grilled chicken to the irresistible kick of chili salt seasoning – discover foolproof marinades and easy grilling methods to make every meal more exciting.

Should you grill a whole chicken or cut it into pieces?

Grilled chicken is always a crowd-pleaser at any Vietnamese gathering, loved for its fragrant aroma, crispy skin, and juicy, tender meat. However, to achieve that perfect result, many people wonder whether it’s better to grill the chicken whole or cut it into smaller pieces. The choice actually depends a lot on the type of grill or oven you’re using.

Grilling Whole is the most popular method because it retains internal moisture while giving you beautifully golden, crispy skin. The meat stays juicy and preserves its natural sweetness. However, not all equipment is well-suited for whole-chicken grilling.

• For open charcoal grills:
  • Usually have a smaller cooking area with an open design that loses heat quickly.
  • A whole chicken may not cook evenly, often burning on the outside while staying raw inside.
  • Recommendation: Cut the chicken into smaller pieces for more even cooking, better seasoning penetration, and easier heat control.
• For closed or semi-closed charcoal ovens:
  • Feature a closed chamber with a lid, often with adjustable vents and convection fans.
  • Distributes heat evenly, making it easy to roast a whole chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat.
  • Recommendation: Grill the whole chicken to preserve its classic flavor and attractive presentation.
• For electric ovens and air fryers:
  • Popular appliances in many Vietnamese kitchens.
  • Can also handle whole chickens, but temperature and timing must be carefully managed to avoid dryness or uneven cooking.

|Check out: X-BBQ’s guide on air-fryer roast chicken for easier, more reliable results.

Choosing between grilling whole or in pieces depends not only on personal preference but also on the equipment you have. Understanding the pros and cons of each method will help you consistently create perfectly grilled chicken: crispy and golden on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.

Tips for flavorful grilled chicken marinade

To achieve rich, delicious flavor and juicy, tender grilled chicken, the marinating step is absolutely key. Here are a few simple tips from X-BBQ to help you marinate chicken like a pro:

• Marinate for the right amount of time: About 2–4 hours is ideal for the flavors to penetrate deeply without making the meat mushy. If you have time, marinating overnight in the fridge will enhance the taste even more.
• Inject the marinade into the meat: Use a syringe to inject the marinade inside the chicken. This helps the flavors soak in from the inside without having to score the skin, which can affect its texture and appearance.
• Use a ziplock bag or airtight container: This helps coat the chicken evenly, retains moisture, and prevents strong odors from spreading in the fridge.
• Massage the meat thoroughly: Gently rub and massage the marinade into the chicken so it infuses every part of the meat, ensuring deep, consistent flavor.
• Add a bit of oil: Oil helps the spices and herbs stick to the meat and keeps it moist during grilling, preventing it from drying out.
• Marinate early – grill slowly: This is the golden rule. After giving the chicken enough marinating time, cook it over moderate heat so it cooks evenly without burning on the outside, while staying tender and juicy inside.

Top 5 easy grilled chicken recipes to make at home

Here are 5 simple, delicious grilled chicken marinades from X-BBQ that use easy-to-find ingredients and deliver irresistibly rich flavors.

Honey-grilled chicken

Honey-grilled chicken is a crowd favorite with its mild sweetness, signature aroma, and beautiful golden-brown color. It’s a perfect choice for family meals, weekend gatherings, or holiday celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 1–1.5 kg)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup honey
• 3–5 tablespoons olive oil
• 3–5 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• 1–3 tablespoons chili sauce
• 2–4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Marinating instructions:

• Clean the chicken thoroughly and pat it dry.
• In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients well.
• Rub the mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure to coat all surfaces and the inside if using a whole bird.
• Marinate for at least 2–4 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.

Chili salt grilled chicken

Chili salt grilled chicken stands out with its bold, spicy, and savory flavor, along with an intense, mouthwatering aroma that really excites the taste buds. It’s perfect for outdoor BBQ parties or cozy family gatherings. This dish is a favorite for many thanks to its simple preparation and incredibly appealing taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (or 1kg chicken pieces)
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt, crushed
• 1–2 tablespoons chopped fresh chili (adjust to desired spiciness)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional, to balance the flavors)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Marinating instructions:

• Clean the chicken and pat it dry.
• Mix the salt, chopped chili, garlic, lemongrass, sugar or honey, pepper, and oil into a seasoning paste.
• Rub the mixture evenly all over the chicken, including the inside if using a whole bird.
• Marinate for at least 2–4 hours in the fridge to let the flavors soak in, giving the meat that signature spicy-salty taste.

Fish sauce grilled chicken

Fish sauce grilled chicken features the rich, distinctive flavor of high-quality fish sauce, blending savory and sweet notes in perfect harmony. When grilled, it releases an irresistible, aromatic fragrance. This simple yet incredibly flavorful dish is perfect for cozy family meals and goes especially well with a bowl of hot rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (or 1 kg chicken pieces)
• 3–4 tablespoons high-quality fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass (optional)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Marinating instructions:

• Clean the chicken thoroughly and pat it dry.
• Mix the fish sauce, honey or brown sugar, garlic, shallot, lemongrass, pepper, and oil to make the marinade.
• Rub the marinade evenly over the entire surface of the chicken and inside if using a whole bird.
• Marinate for at least 2–4 hours in the refrigerator to let the flavors penetrate deeply and produce rich, savory meat.

Grilled chicken with lime leaves

Grilled chicken with lime leaves wins diners over with the distinctive fragrance of fresh lime leaves combined with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory marinade. This dish is full of classic Vietnamese flavors, making it an excellent choice for family meals or weekend BBQs.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (or 1 kg chicken pieces)
• 10–15 fresh lime leaves (washed and finely sliced or minced)
• 2–3 tablespoons high-quality fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1–2 tablespoons chopped chili (optional, to taste)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Marinating instructions:

• Clean the chicken and pat it dry.
• Mix the fish sauce, sugar or honey, garlic, chili, pepper, oil, and lime leaves to create the marinade.
• Rub the mixture thoroughly over the entire surface of the chicken, and inside if using a whole bird.
• Marinate for at least 2–4 hours in the refrigerator to allow the lime leaf aroma and seasonings to infuse the meat

Western-style whole roasted chicken

Ingredients

• Chicken: 1–2 whole birds
• Salt: 4 teaspoons
• Paprika: 2 teaspoons
• Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
• Dried thyme: 1 teaspoon
• Ground black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Cayenne pepper: ½ teaspoon (optional)
• Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
• Olive oil

Marinating Instructions:

Brush a generous layer of olive oil all over the chicken. This step helps keep the meat moist while ensuring the skin turns crispy and beautifully golden when roasted. Next, sprinkle the pre-mixed seasoning blend evenly over the entire surface of the chicken and rub it in thoroughly so the flavors penetrate both the skin and the meat.

See also: Guide to Western-style whole roasted chicken

Guide to grilling chicken

Once you’ve finished marinating with your chosen recipe, the cooking method will depend on the equipment you have at home. X-BBQ shares tips on how to grill chicken so it’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Grilling chicken on a charcoal grill

Charcoal grilling is a traditional method that delivers an irresistible, signature smoky aroma. The charcoal gives the chicken a subtle smokiness and beautifully crispy golden skin.

How to do it:

• Prepare your charcoal grill and wait until the coals are glowing red and the heat is stable.
• Place the grill grate over the coals and brush it lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
• Place the marinated chicken on the grate and grill over medium heat.
• Turn the chicken regularly and baste with marinade or oil to keep it moist.
• Grill for about 30–45 minutes, depending on the size, until the skin is golden and crispy and the meat is cooked through.

X-BBQ Tips:

• Set up for indirect heat: Push the coals to both sides of the grill and place the chicken in the middle. This allows heat to circulate evenly, helping avoid burnt skin with raw insides.
• This method is perfect for kettle-style convection charcoal grills with lids that trap heat like an oven, ensuring even cooking and moisture retention.
• For open charcoal grills, avoid using indirect heat for too long since heat loss is higher and cooking time increases. In that case, cut the chicken into smaller pieces for more even cooking.

Roasting chicken in an oven

Using an oven offers easy temperature control and is convenient for cooking larger quantities.

How to do it:

• Preheat the oven to about 200 °C (400 °F) for 10–15 minutes to stabilize the temperature before adding the chicken.
• Place the marinated chicken on a rack or baking tray. Lining it with foil can make cleanup easier.
• Roast for 45–60 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken and your oven’s heat.
• During roasting, you can brush extra marinade or honey onto the chicken to give it a beautiful golden color and prevent dryness.
• Check doneness by piercing the meat with a fork—if the juices run clear and there’s no pink, it’s done.

Tip: Use top-and-bottom heat with convection (if available) for evenly browned, tender results.

Grilling chicken on an air fryer

An air fryer is great for small households or when you want something quick and clean.

How to do it:

• Preheat the air fryer to about 180–200 °C (356–392 °F) for 5 minutes.
• Line the basket or tray with foil if desired.
• Place the chicken inside, skin side up if using pieces.
• Air fry at 180–200 °C (356–392 °F). Cooking time varies with size, typically around 20–30 minutes.
• Flip the chicken during cooking to ensure even doneness and crispy skin.
• You can also brush extra sauce or honey onto the chicken while cooking for more flavor and a glossy finish.

Tip: For small whole chickens, reduce the temperature to 160–170 °C (320–338 °F) and cook longer for even doneness without drying out.

Conclusion

With these 5 easy grilled chicken recipes from X-BBQ—from the gently sweet honey-grilled chicken, spicy chili salt, rich fish sauce marinade, fragrant lime leaf style, to elegant Western-style roast—you can confidently expand your grilling menu to impress family and friends.

Try them at home to enjoy the satisfaction of preparing delicious dishes yourself, ensuring food safety, matching your family’s tastes, and most importantly, creating warm, memorable moments around the dinner table.