Grilling chicken for dinner is like painting a canvas with flavors—each brushstroke of seasoning bringing joy to the plate. It’s a meal where the aroma alone can transport you to a summer barbecue, even in the heart of winter. These recipes aim to make the process as breezy as a Sunday afternoon, promising a blend of simplicity and delight with every bite.
Steps
- Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers: Thread shrimp onto skewers and season them with lemon zest and capers. Grill until the shrimp are juicy and slightly charred, then drizzle with a white wine butter sauce.
- Grilled Stuffed Peppers: Halve the peppers and fill them with your choice of stuffing. Grill the peppers until they are tender and slightly charred, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Steak Kebab Bowls: Marinate steak cubes and alternate them with colorful veggies on skewers. Grill until the steak is cooked to your preferred doneness and serve over a bed of spinach and cucumber salad with orzo.
- Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks: Slice cauliflower into thick steaks and marinate them in teriyaki sauce. Grill until tender and caramelized on the outside.
- Grilled Romaine Caesar Wedge: Halve romaine hearts and lightly char them on the grill. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and serve as a wedge salad or chop for easier consumption.
- Grilled Beer Brats: Grill brats until browned, then simmer them in a beer bath with onions and peppers. Use your preferred beer, excluding IPAs, for the simmering process.
- Grilled Portobello Tacos: Marinate portobello mushrooms and grill until tender. Serve in tortillas with your choice of toppings.
- Grilled Zucchini with Ricotta & Walnuts: Thread zucchini onto skewers and grill until just tender. Top with whipped ricotta and toasted walnuts for added flavor and texture.
- Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets with Summer Squash: Place salmon and squash in foil packets, season with honey-chipotle sauce, and grill until cooked through.
- Grilled Cabbage “Steaks”: Cut cabbage into thick slabs and grill until charred and tender. Serve with your choice of seasoning or sauce.
- Grilled Persian Chicken: Marinate chicken in a yogurt-based Persian spice mix, then grill alongside tomatoes and lemons. Serve with herbs over jasmine rice.
- Hawaiian Chicken Skewers: Skewer chicken, pineapple, red bell peppers, and onion, then grill while basting with a sweet teriyaki sauce.
- Grilled Steak Salad: Grill ribeye steak and red onions, then combine with cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic dressing for a refreshing salad.
- Best Ever Burger: Season and grill burger patties to your liking. Customize with your preferred toppings for a deliciously simple meal.
- California Grilled Chicken: Marinate chicken in balsamic vinegar, honey, and Italian seasoning. Grill and serve with fresh tomatoes and avocado.
- Pesto Shrimp Skewers: Skewer shrimp and brush with pesto sauce. Grill until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- Cowboy Steak with Grilled Red Onion Salad: Grill a bone-in ribeye steak and serve with a salad of grilled red onions and your choice of dressing.
- Thai-Inspired Grilled Cauliflower Steaks: Grill cauliflower steaks and coat with a Thai-inspired sauce. Adjust the sauce’s flavor with sugar, lime juice, or red pepper flakes as needed.
- Grilled Cod with Romesco Sauce: Grill cod fillets and serve with a smoky romesco sauce. This pairing enhances the natural flavors of the seafood.
- Summer Panzanella: Grill bread, zucchini, and onion until charred, then toss with tomatoes, basil, and a light dressing for a refreshing summer salad.
Ingredients
- Shrimp, large and peeled
- Lemon zest
- Capers
- White wine
- Butter
- Skewers
FAQ
- How long does it take to prepare Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers?
- The Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers take about 45 minutes from start to finish, making them ideal for both quick weeknight dinners and summer gatherings.
- Why should I grill stuffed peppers instead of using the oven?
- Grilling stuffed peppers is a great way to enjoy the outdoors during summer while adding a smoky, charred flavor to this classic comfort dish without the need to heat up your kitchen with an oven.
- What makes the Steak Kebab Bowls a unique summer dish?
- The Steak Kebab Bowls feature colorful veggie kebabs and marinated steak, grilled to perfection. They’re served over a bed of spinach and cucumber salad with a garlicky tahini dressing and herby orzo, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
- What should I consider when making Grilled Beer Brats?
- Grilled Beer Brats are easy to prepare and perfect for tailgating or BBQs. Choose a beer you enjoy drinking for the simmering process, but avoid IPAs, as their bitterness can overpower the brats’ flavor.
- How can I enhance the flavor of Grilled Zucchini?
- Grilled zucchini can be elevated by adding herby whipped ricotta and toasted walnuts. Threading the zucchini onto skewers helps create contrasting textures and allows the ricotta and walnuts to nestle into the nooks and crannies.
Tips
- When making Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers, ensure the shrimp are evenly sized for uniform cooking and soak skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- To achieve perfectly charred Grilled Stuffed Peppers, pre-cook the filling slightly before grilling to ensure everything heats through without over-charring the peppers.
- For Steak Kebab Bowls, let the steak marinate for at least an hour to infuse it with flavor, and allow the kebabs to rest after grilling to retain their juices.
- When preparing Grilled Zucchini with Ricotta & Walnuts, thread the zucchini ribbons onto skewers to avoid direct grill contact, creating a mix of textures and allowing for better distribution of ricotta and walnuts.
Equipment
- Grill or BBQ Grill: Essential for all the recipes mentioned, as they are all grilled dishes.
- Skewers: Useful for making shrimp piccata skewers, steak kebabs, zucchini skewers, and Hawaiian chicken skewers.
- Grill Basket: Handy for grilling vegetables like stuffed peppers or when making grilled romaine Caesar wedges.
- Grilling Tongs: Essential for safely flipping and handling food on the grill.
- Meat Thermometer: Important for checking the doneness of meats like steak, chicken, and burgers.
- Marinade Injector: Useful for injecting marinades into meats like grilled Persian chicken or cowboy steak.
- Grill Mat or Grill Pan: Helps prevent smaller items, like vegetables or fish, from falling through the grill grates.
- Chimney Starter: Useful for starting charcoal grills efficiently.
