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Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast

This is my sister's famous juicy BBQ chicken breast recipe. It was the most tender and juicy barbecued chicken breast I've tried.

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This is my sister’s famous juicy BBQ chicken breast recipe. The marinade is simple with just 3 ingredients. She made this chicken recipe for a great big family gathering (I’m talkin’ ’bout 35+ people) and everyone was smitten. It was the most tender and juicy barbecued chicken breast I’ve tried.

I’m sharing all of my sister, Sveta’s, tips and tricks for her scrumptious grilled chicken. You know what’s awesome? Since it marinates overnight, all of your prep is done in advance! I love that I can just toss it on the grill (more like have my husband throw it on the grill) before my party starts; giving me time to focus on other details.

This is the Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast (my sister's famous recipe and a family favorite!) @natashaskitchen

Ingredients for the Best BBQ Chicken:

3-4 lbs whole, boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup ranch
6-8 medium cloves of garlic, pressed
*1 1/2 Tbsp Johnny’s seasoning, added to taste (store-bought or make your own with recipe below)
1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce + more to serve

*You can make your own Johnny’s seasoning easily:

1 ½ Tbsp sea salt
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast-10

How to Make the best BBQ Chicken breast:

1. Rinse chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

2. In a casserole dish (no need to get extra dishes dirty), combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup ranch and press in 6-8 garlic cloves.

Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast-3

3. Add chicken and turn several times to coat generously in the marinade.

4. Season each individual side of the marinated chicken breasts with Johnny’s seasoning to taste (I used about 1 1/2 Tbsp or half of the seasoning mix recipe above). Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to marinate. Marinate 10 hours or up to 24 hours.

Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast-4

5. Preheat your grill to 400˚F. Brush the grates with oil. Place chicken on the grill then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook approximately 10 minutes per side (rotating the chicken 90˚ after 5 minutes to create criss-cross grill marks). When you turn your chicken over, generously brush the grilled side of the chicken with BBQ sauce. Repeat; grilling your second side, rotating 90˚ after 5 minutes. Brush the second grilled side generously with BBQ sauce.

Notes:

When done, chicken breast should have an internal temp of 165˚ and should be firm but still soft. Juices will run clear when you cut into it. Our chicken breasts were pretty large and took about 25 minutes total on the grill. Don’t overcook them or they will turn rubbery and keep in mind they will continue cooking even off the grill.

6. Remove from grill, place on a platter and immediately cover tightly with foil. Let chicken rest under foil for 15 minutes before cutting into it.

Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast-5

Serve with more BBQ sauce, these mashed potatoes and this cucumber tomato salad (or this creamy cucumber & tomato salad), and you’ll want this to drink. Over and out. Enjoy! It really was amazing.

This is the Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast (my sister's famous recipe and a family favorite!) @natashaskitchen

This is the Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast (my sister's famous recipe and a family favorite!) @natashaskitchen

Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast

4.98 from 35 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Grilled Chicken Breast
This is my sister's famous juicy BBQ chicken breast recipe. The marinade is so simple with just 3 ingredients. You know what's awesome? You can do all of the prep in advance so all you have to do is toss it on the grill before your party starts!
Prep Time: 10 hours
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 10 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 -8

Ingredients for Juicy BBQ Chicken Breast:

  • 3-4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup ranch
  • 6-8 medium cloves of garlic, pressed
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Johnny's seasoning, store-bought or make your own with recipe below, added to taste*
  • 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce + more to serve

Homemade Johnny’s Seasoning:

Instructions

  • Rinse chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  • In a casserole dish (no need to get extra dishes dirty), combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup ranch and press in 6-8 garlic cloves.
  • Add chicken and turn it several times to coat generously in the marinade.
  • Season each individual side of the marinated chicken breasts with Johnny's seasoning, adding it to taste - I used about 1 1/2 Tbsp or half of the seasoning mix. Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to marinate. Marinate 10 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat your grill to 400˚F. Brush the grates with oil. Place chicken on the grill then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook approximately 10 minutes per side (rotating the chicken 90˚ after 5 minutes to create criss-cross grill marks). When you turn your chicken over, generously brush the grilled side of the chicken with BBQ sauce. Repeat grilling your second side, rotating 90˚ after 5 minutes. Brush the second grilled side generously with BBQ sauce.
  • Remove from grill, place on a platter and immediately cover with foil. Let chicken rest under foil for 15 minutes before cutting into it. Serve with more BBQ sauce, these mashed potatoes and this salad (or this salad), and you'll want this to drink.

Notes

Notes: When done, chicken breast should have an internal temp of 165˚ and should be firm but still soft. Juices will run clear when you cut into it. Our chicken breasts were pretty large and took about 25 minutes total on the grill. Don't overcook them or they will turn rubbery and keep in mind they will continue cooking even off the grill.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Barbecued Chicken Breast
Skill Level: Medium/ Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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This is the Juiciest Barbecued Chicken Breast (my sister's famous recipe and a family favorite!) @natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.98 from 35 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Sharon
    June 7, 2021

    I tried this on our last camping trip and everyone loved it. It was so easy to prepare and I did it ahead of time so all we had to do was throw it on the grill. All of your recipes have been great and I always come to your site first if looking for something new to try.

    Thank you for always sharing your amazing recipes and cooking tips.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 7, 2021

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Sharon!

      Reply

  • Naomi
    January 16, 2021

    Hello there .. Thank you none of your recipes disappoint me thank you again .. question what’s your fav BBQ for this dish?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 16, 2021

      Hi Naomi, we have tried with a variety. When we want a sweeter chicken, we go for Sweet Baby Rays. We also love the Stubbs brand line of bbq sauces.

      Reply

  • Mary
    November 18, 2020

    Also my picky husband (who usually likes chicken thighs) said, ‘I don’t know why we even go to fancy restaurants, at the very least your food is just as good.’ (Coming from a husband who does not throw complements out lightly)

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 18, 2020

      Aaaw that is so sweet of him! I love it, it’s so heart warming, thank you for sharing that with us, Mary!

      Reply

  • Mary
    November 18, 2020

    Okay yes!!! I’ve only grilled about 2 other times in my life and this turned out sooooo delicious!! More importantly my picky food critic husband loved it!! Thank you!! You’re the best! Love your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 18, 2020

      I’m so glad to hear that, yay! I hope you will both love every recipe that you will try from my website and video tutorials.

      Reply

  • Anthony
    November 11, 2020

    Very good

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 11, 2020

      Thank you for that wonderful review, Anthony!

      Reply

  • Kym Camputo
    July 28, 2020

    Best grilled chicken recipe ever. I was a little hesitant about the mayo/ranch dressing combo but it made the chicken is so moist and juicy. Delish! I’ve made it a couple times and now I double the recipe so I have some grilled chicken to add to salads during the week. Just as good cold. So quick and easy too.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 28, 2020

      Thank you for sharing that wonderful review Kym! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Karen
    July 20, 2020

    Hello Natasha,

    Again, as always with other recipes of yours I loved this one too. It was so flavorful and is one of my new favorites. Thanks again!

    Karen

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 20, 2020

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Tina Morgan
    May 30, 2020

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your juiciest BBQ chicken recipe. I used chicken thighs. I cooked them over my open fire pit (taking full advantage of the extra time outdoors)! I paired the thighs with parsley potatoes & cheesy broccoli/cauliflower. My family of 4 enjoyed every yummy bite Thank you Natasha for sharing your awesome recipes!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 30, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that Tina! Thank you for that wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Lena
    May 6, 2020

    Hi Natasha,

    Thank you for the receipe. What can I use instead of ranch dressing or do you have homemade receipe for ranch dressing?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 6, 2020

      Plain green yogurt can be a good substitute too. Ranch is also sold in the grocery aisles or in the refrigerator section. You can use either kind as I don’t have a recipe that can be used for this dish yet.

      Reply

  • Dina
    May 1, 2020

    Hi Natacha thank you for sharing your great receipes Can I use same marination on 4 lb of bone in skin on chicken thighs?
    Thank you again

    Reply

    • Dina
      May 1, 2020

      Also for the salt is it 1 1/2 TSP or 1 1/2 TBS??
      Thank you

      Reply

      • Natasha
        May 1, 2020

        Hi Dina, to make the seasoning, you would need 1 1/2 Tbsp salt as stated in the recipe. You may not need all of it depending on how much chicken you use.

        Reply

        • Dina
          May 1, 2020

          Thank you so much for your quick reply you are awesome

          Reply

          • Natashas Kitchen
            May 1, 2020

            You’re welcome Dina.

          • Dina
            May 2, 2020

            I made it today with same amount of marination for 4 to 5 Ib of chicken thighs and on the barbecue It was AMAZING best chicken thighs receipe I ever made and my kids LOVED IT (they are so picky eaters)
            I also made the tres leche cake it was soooo yummy.
            Thank You so much Please keep posting your great receipes 💖💖

          • Natasha
            May 3, 2020

            Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review!

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 1, 2020

      Hi Dina, the marinade should work but you may need to alter the cook and cook time. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Trisha Ferguson
    April 8, 2019

    Does the chicken taste like ranch? I want to make this but not sure everyone would like it if it tastes like ranch.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 8, 2019

      Hi Trisha, since it is used as a marinade it is very mild, we think its the perfect balance.

      Reply

  • Val Hynes
    April 1, 2019

    I wanted sooooo bad to believe, so I prepped and marinated overnight … BBQ’d this evening … and it’s a WINNER WINNER!!! I’m learning to BBQ so I picked this recipe. So glad I did. Crazy juicy, not flat and dry, lovely and plump 🙂 Thanx 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 1, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Dorothy Woodall Peterson
    July 1, 2018

    By “ranch” do you mean ranch dressing?
    Thank you

    Reply

  • Traci
    June 25, 2018

    Good afternoon!

    I made this chicken recipe over the weekend and EVERYONE LOVED IT! Including the smaller kids!! This is now one of my favorite chicken dishes! Thank you for all you do!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 25, 2018

      That’s so great, Traci! I’m happy to hear you have a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Elmo
    September 6, 2017

    Your site is awesome. I save recipes in pdf format for my own useand you are one of the few sites that makes this easy to print to pdf. I am also quite impressed at the videos included. Now, for the Chicken, and being smoker (meats, foods only), I have to wonder what this would do smoked. I suggest on your campouts you might try adding a smoking recipe or two, maybe even caveman style where you could smoke on a grate over a low fire atarting after breakfast and ready at dinner. I am betting this chicken recipe would come out quite awesome. (add a pan of water to steam from the fire, to keep moisture in).

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 6, 2017

      I’m glad you are enjoying my site Elmo! That’s a great idea, really! I will keep your suggestion in mind!

      Reply

  • Jack Ryan
    August 11, 2017

    Dear Natalya,
    I am a big fan of your blog. Already used several recipes of yours. And it’s always delicious. If i may suggest in this specific recipe: chicken breast is usually dry compare to thighs. So i usually dip chicken breast in lightly salty water over night. And then marinade. This way even extremely boring and dry chicken breast becomes extremely juicy. Just a suggestion. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 11, 2017

      Hello Jack! What a great tip! Thanks so much for sharing with other readers! 🙂

      Reply

  • Marianne Catina
    July 12, 2017

    I recently made this chicken recipe and it was delicious! It is definitely a keeper. I took leftovers to work and had to give co-workers the recipe. This is the first recipe I have tried from your blog and am very happy. I look forward to trying many more recipes from here.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 12, 2017

      That’s so great Marianne! I’m happy everyone loves the recipe! Thanks for following and sharing your fantastic review!

      Reply

  • Tori
    June 27, 2017

    Amazing recipe! The chicken stayed juicy and had great flavor!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 27, 2017

      That’s great Tori! I’m really happy to hear you enjoy it! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply

  • Deana
    May 2, 2017

    Hi there! Going to try this tomorrow however do you use all the seasoning on the recipe? Half? Just seems like a lot. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 3, 2017

      Hi Deana, I do use all of the seasoning if I’m making the full batch of chicken (3-4 lbs). Keep in mind if using 3 lbs of chicken, it would only be 1/2 tsp of salt per pound of chicken with the proportions in the seasoning mix that I listed. You can absolutely add less to taste and it will still work well 🙂

      Reply

      • Anna
        July 3, 2024

        Hi Natasha,
        I’m a bit confused on how much salt. I’m scaling this recipe to feed 20 people so I’m trying to do the conversion. In this comment you state 1/2 tsp per lb but per recipe, for 3-4lbs it states to use 1.5 TBSP. That doesn’t seem to add up. If it’s 1/2 tsp per lb then shouldn’t it be 1.5 TSP for 3-4lbs?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          July 4, 2024

          Hi Anna, you are correct – I did not make that very clear in the recipe. I included a recipe for homemade Johnnys seasoning but I use about half of the seasoning for this recipe. I’ll make sure to clarify that in the notes.

          Reply

  • Diana
    January 10, 2017

    Hi Natasha-

    I was wondering if this can be cooked in the oven if I don’t have a grill available?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 10, 2017

      Hi Diana, I haven’t tried this particular recipe in the oven so I can’t give you exact baking times. I would probably be more inclined to cook it on a skillet to make sure I didn’t overcook it because chicken breast can overcook and dry out quickly.
      If trying the oven method, I would probably start my test with the baking instructions I included on my bbq chicken thighs, but I would definitely recommend an instant read thermometer to check when you’ve reached a doneness temperature of 165˚F (what the USDA recommends).

      Reply

      • Diana
        January 12, 2017

        Great! I will give that a try. I have a thermometer and will keep track of the temperature to make sure I don’t go over 165.

        Thanks so much!

        Reply

      • Penny Genaille
        June 19, 2017

        you can bake them in the oven in a covered casserole dish for about an hour and half…my baked chicken breast are never dry doing it this way…just make sure you keep them covered and don’t test for at least 1 1/2 hours…this is for 4-6 chicken breasts…

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          June 19, 2017

          Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!! Do you have a special recipe that you use for this method? Also, what temperature are you baking at?

          Reply

        • Iga
          October 5, 2018

          Hi, how would we bake this in the oven? I saw some advice earlier, but it seems unresolved as to temperatures and baking times. Thanks!

          Reply

          • Natashas Kitchen
            October 5, 2018

            Iga, I haven’t tried this particular recipe in the oven so I can’t give you exact baking times. I would probably be more inclined to cook it on a skillet to make sure I didn’t overcook it because chicken breast can overcook and dry out quickly.

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