Healthy/ Main Meal/ Savory

Easy and Healthy Seasoned Grilled Chicken Breasts

Marinated and seasoned grilled chicken breasts, so full of flavor, you won’t even notice they are healthy!  This marinade recipe I am sharing today is the recipe I use to marinate and season the chicken breasts I grill every week for meal prep.  Because after working 10-plus hour work days, who wants to come home and make dinner?  I’ve even included several side dish ideas to go with these grilled chicken breasts too, so you are covered for dinner for the whole week!

If you know me then you know that I eat grilled chicken salads for dinner.  Every night.  And I never get tired of it.  And I HATE salad dressing (it’s a texture thing for me), so my salad consists of a mix of butter lettuces and romaine lettuce, a few croutons and a grilled chicken breast.  With how flavorful this chicken is, you don’t even need salad dressing anyways!

I usually grill up a batch of this chicken the night before I go back to work, so when I get off of work I can just come home, knock out my household chores (get the mail, water the plants, feed the dogs, etc), do a quick workout and then nosh on some dinner.  And now that we are transitioning to 12-1/2 hour shifts at work come September, meal prep will be even more important!

When I signed up for #CookoutWeek 2017, I was given the opportunity to work with Smokin-O’s, to develop a cookout recipe utilizing their product.  Smokin-O’s sent me their product for free, to use when developing my recipe.  However, all opinions, recipes and pictures in this post are mine 🙂

I don’t have a smoker or fancy BBQ.  Just a plain ol’ gas grill.  So I was excited to receive Smokin-O’s rings, which are designed to add that smoke and charcoal flavor to food cooked on a gas grill!  You don’t have to pre-soak the Smokin-O’s either like you do with wood chips…you just heat your grill up, place a smoke ring on the grill straight from the package, let the ring light and smoke, and then you are in business!  Instant flavor added to your food!  And so easy…because if I can do it, YOU can do it!  Click here to check Smokin-O’s out and to watch the video on how the product works!

Ok!  So….this chicken marinade and seasoning mix.  Yes.  I know.  This looks like A LOT of spices….I like a heavily seasoned chicken breast.  You certainly can use what you like though!

I trim all the fat and tendons from the boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  Or as James will tell you, I “desecrate” the chicken.  Whatever.  I don’t like to chew on fat or gristle.  I also butterfly the chicken so it cooks quickly and evenly, and I score the breasts to make sure I get that marinade in every crevive.

I don’t marinate my chicken overnight, or even for longer than it takes to heat up the grill.  It doesn’t need it!!

Easy and Healthy Seasoned Grilled Chicken Breasts

Print Recipe
Serves: 6-8 Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat (about 6 breasts)
  • 1 packet McCormick's Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup Sweet Mesquite Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon bacon salt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Lawry's Seasoning Blend

Instructions

1

In a bowl add the Sweet Mesquite Seasoning, bacon salt, garlic pepper and Lawry's Seasoning Blend.

2

In a large ziplock bag, add the entire packet of mesquite marinade and the water. Close the ziplock bag and use your hands to work the marinade and water together so they are incorporated.

3

Add one chicken breast into the ziplock bag and sprinkle with a tablespoon of the spice mixture and sprinkle with a 1/2 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Close the ziplock bag and use your hands (on the outside of the bag) to work the chicken breast into the marinade. Continue to add the chicken breasts into the ziplock bag, one breast at a time, sprinkling each breast with the seasoning mixture and Worcestershire sauce. Continue this layering method until all the chicken breasts have been added into the ziplock bag.

4

If you need more liquid, add a little more Worcestershire sauce or water to the marinade. If you want more seasoning in your marinade, add additional amount of desired seasonings. Close the ziplock bag and use your hands to work the chicken into the marinade. Set aside.

5

Make sure your gas grill is clean before turning it on high heat to preheat the grill. After the grill has heated up, place one Smokin-O's smoke ring on a hot spot on the grill and close the lid. Allow smoke ring to light and smoke (approximately 7-minutes).

6

Once smoke ring is smoking, use tongs to place the chicken directly on the grill. Reduce the heat to medium-high and close the lid. In 7-8 minutes, use the tongs to flip the chicken over. Close the lid and let the chicken cook.

7

Allow chicken to cook for an additional 8-10 minutes. Check chicken and flip again, if needed, or let the chicken cook for a few additional minutes on the second side. Cook chicken until it is completely cooked through, approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165-degrees. Cook time will vary on how thin or thick your breasts are.

8

Once chicken is fully cooked, use clean tongs to remove the chicken from the grill, and place chicken breasts on a plate or in a reusable container (if you are meal prepping). Cover the container and let the chicken rest for several minutes before slicing to eat.

9

Turn off the grill and close the lid. Let the Smokin-O's ring sit on the grill until it completely burns out.

10

Serve chicken with desired side dishes or on top of a salad.

Notes

Allow hot chicken to sit on the counter to cool slightly before placing leftovers in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be eaten cold or re-heated for a minute or two in the microwave. Chicken stays fresh in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

The Original Smokin-O’s ring is my FAVORITE smoke ring:

Throw your chicken on the grill once your Smokin-O’s is smoking!

My backyard helper, who was hoping I would drop a piece of chicken on the ground (sorry Mookie…not gonna happen) 😉

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

I eat my chicken on top of a salad.  Other great side dishes to go with this grilled chicken include: Baked White Sweet Potato Fries, Healthier Baked Garlic Bread, Corny Cornbread – From a Mix!, black beans, steamed corn, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, brown rice….endless options!

Mmmm.  Salad, meet chicken.  Chicken, meet salad.

The Smokin-O’s ring gives the chicken such a yummy, smoky flavor.  I am already on my 4th package of Smokin-O’s because I seriously can’t grill without one.  LOOOOOOOVE.  Click HERE to buy Smokin-O’s.  And don’t forget to follow Smokin-O’s on Instagram, Twitter and FaceBook!  Like their page and share it, so other people can discover this awesome product.  Heck—you can like and share this post on FaceBook too while you’re at it too…just sayin 😉

Thanks for reading all about my favorite dinner!  What’s your favorite chicken dinner?  Do you meal prep for the work week too??

XOXO,

Kelly

[optin-cat id=”528″]

I have linked this recipe up at the following link parties: Meal Plan Monday, Weekend Potluck, The PinJunkie, Pretty Pintastic Party, Sugar and Spice.

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35 Comments

  • Reply
    Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
    June 29, 2017 at 6:34 AM

    Whoa! 12 1/2-hour shifts are coming? That just sounds painful :). Meal prep is a total lifesaver isn’t it? I love all the spice going on here, Kelly! Have a wonderful weekend, girl!

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:33 PM

      Hahahah yes….it will be painful lol. Oh well! That’s police work for ya! And thank you! I love my super seasoned chicken breasts hehehe. Have a great weekend too! XOXO 🙂

  • Reply
    Wendy
    June 29, 2017 at 8:11 AM

    A Delicious flavorful meal…..perfect for a cookout.

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:43 PM

      Thank you Wendy!! It is super yummy! XOXO

  • Reply
    eileenbakingsense
    June 29, 2017 at 8:48 AM

    I also made chicken breasts with the Smokin Os. Perfect way to get smoky flavor on the gas grill. Your chicken looks really tasty. Any your dog is adorable. I get the same look from my two dogs whenever I’m at the grill.

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:44 PM

      Hahahah that is so funny! Our dogs are just sitting there waiting for us to drop something for them! I love the Smokin-O’s soooooo much! I love that smokey smell 🙂 XOXO

  • Reply
    GiGi Eats Celebrities
    June 29, 2017 at 2:39 PM

    HOLY DELICIOUS LOOKING CHICKEN!!!!!!! I have some bland and boring chicken in the fridge – ugh. I wish I had your tips and tricks before I ruined them LOL!

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:34 PM

      Hahahaha thanks girl! You should try these seasonings out next time you make some chicken! I know you love your salmon though 😉 XOXO

  • Reply
    Love In My Oven
    June 29, 2017 at 8:50 PM

    Those are some long shifts coming at you girl!! I think you deserve a few of your sweetest treats! I LOVE a go-to grilled chicken recipe. I can’t wait to try this one out. Hope you have a great weekend my friend!! XO

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:36 PM

      Thanks Katherine! I think I deserve some sweet treats too hehehe. I hope you try out this chicken! It’s super yummy! Have a great weekend too! XOXO 🙂

  • Reply
    Maria Doss
    June 29, 2017 at 9:41 PM

    This looks so flavorful Kelsie. I hate bland, boring piece of meat. Need to try this recipe next time I fire up the grill.

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:37 PM

      Thank you Maria! We can’t make bland chicken…that’s just not fun! Let me know if you make this! Have a great weekend Maria! XOXO 🙂

  • Reply
    Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
    June 30, 2017 at 4:43 AM

    Wow! This is such a quick recipe and still packed with so much flavor from that marinade and the smokiness too! Love it!

    • Reply
      Kelly
      June 30, 2017 at 1:38 PM

      Thanks Deepika! I am seriously OBSESSED with the Smokin-O’s lol. Have a great weekend!! XOXO 🙂

  • Reply
    Carlee
    July 9, 2017 at 5:22 AM

    Yum! Marinated chicken is definitely a summertime favorite. These look great! Thanks for sharing with us at Celebrate365!

    • Reply
      Kelly
      July 9, 2017 at 10:58 AM

      Thank you Carlee!! Thanks for hosting the fun link party!! XOXO

  • Reply
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    August 27, 2017 at 3:00 AM

    […] Easy and Healthy Seasoned Grilled Chicken Breasts – Kelly Lynn’s Sweets & Treats […]

  • Reply
    Colleen
    August 27, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    These look seriously yummy! I’m still upset that I never received my Smokin-O’s shipment…I was really looking forward to testing them out! They look like a fun product!

    • Reply
      Kelly
      August 28, 2017 at 8:31 PM

      That’s a bummer Colleen because I love my Smokin O’s! I’ll buy more when I run out! And thank you! This is my go-to chicken marinade 🙂 XOXO

  • Reply
    Janice Thomas
    June 3, 2018 at 4:33 PM

    Easy and healthy! Looks so flavorful and delish! Thanks for sharing on our Grilling recipe round up!

  • Reply
    Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
    June 21, 2018 at 9:37 AM

    I loved this recipe so much I included it in my #Celebrate365 Grilling Bucket List: https://www.cornbeanspigskids.com/2018/06/grilling-bucket-list.html. Thanks again for linking it up!

  • Reply
    Colleen
    July 26, 2018 at 7:27 AM

    It seems that your backyard helper and my inside helper both have a thing for chicken!!! 🙂

  • Reply
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    July 30, 2018 at 4:55 PM

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  • Reply
    Pies and Prejudice
    July 31, 2018 at 12:19 AM

    This looks so healthy and yummy, Kelly!! I’m the same, it’s chicken salad practically every day in the summer….more for lunch for me as I bring it with me when I take all the dogs out (I eat it in the front of the car and have a doggie gate… so they don’t try to steal my lunch (haha). Speaking of pooches, your little helper has gotta be the cutest BBQ i’ve ever seen. I bet he gets rewarded nicely 😀
    Can’t wait to try your marinate recipe, I love all the spices! Definitely giving this a try. Thanks for sharing lovely xo

    • Reply
      Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats
      July 31, 2018 at 8:19 AM

      Thank you darling!! My little dog has taken up the habit of looking for crumb on the kitchen floor. Drives me nuts because of all his food allergies, so I literally cannot have a single crumb on the floor hahaha. This marinade is so yummy! You have to try!

  • Reply
    wendyklik
    July 31, 2018 at 5:34 PM

    I loved this the first time I saw it and I love it again.

  • Reply
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    July 31, 2018 at 8:20 PM

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  • Reply
    Barrie Mooney
    August 4, 2018 at 6:59 PM

    I’ve never seen or heard of smokin O’s! What a cool grilling idea!

  • Reply
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