Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Recipe
Grilled Buttermilk Chicken creates juicy, flavorful chicken with a tangy buttermilk marinade and smoky grilled finish perfect for warm-weather meals.
This grilled buttermilk Chicken Recipe combines buttermilk, garlic, paprika and Sriracha to tenderize the chicken while adding rich, savory flavor with a hint of spice.

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We’re taking an old fried favorite recipe and turning it into a grilled favorite – Grilled Buttermilk Chicken.
The buttermilk marinade helps to tenderize the meat while infusing it with a tangy and slightly sweet flavor.
Once the chicken is marinated, it’s grilled to perfection, resulting in a delicious charred exterior and a succulent interior.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
Grilled buttermilk chicken delivers juicy texture, bold flavor and an easy marinade that makes grilling simple and delicious.
- Tender, juicy chicken: Buttermilk helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful while grilling.
- Savory spice blend: Garlic, paprika and Sriracha add smoky, tangy flavor with subtle heat.
- Perfect for grilling season: A simple recipe that works well for cookouts and easy dinners.
- Easy make-ahead marinade: The chicken marinates ahead of time for easy meal prep.

Grilled buttermilk chicken delivers smoky grilled flavor with tender texture and rich seasoning in every bite.
A special thanks to milkmeansmore.org for this summer grilling recipe.
What Goes With Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
This flavorful grilled chicken pairs well with fresh and hearty sides that complement the tangy marinade while creating a balanced and satisfying meal:
- Fresh green salad: Crisp greens and vegetables add freshness that balances the rich grilled chicken beautifully.
- Corn on the cob: A sweet, smoky side that pairs perfectly with the savory spices in the marinade.
- Roasted or grilled vegetables: Zucchini, asparagus or peppers add texture and complement the charred chicken flavor.
- Rice or potato dishes: A hearty side that absorbs the flavorful juices and rounds out the meal.
- Coleslaw: A cool, creamy side that balances the smoky grilled finish and hint of spice.

These pairings make grilled buttermilk chicken perfect for summer dinners, cookouts or casual family meals.
Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Recipe
Grilled buttermilk chicken marinates in a creamy, seasoned mixture before grilling until juicy and perfectly charred.
Prep time: 10 minutes, plus marinating time
Cook time: 16-18 minutes
Total time: About 26 minutes, plus marinating
Servings: 4
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
To prepare grilled buttermilk chicken, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurately measuring marinade ingredients.
- Mixing Bowl: To whisk the marinade together evenly.
- Resealable Bag: To marinate the chicken thoroughly.
- Grill: To cook the chicken with a smoky, charred finish.
- Tongs: To turn the chicken safely while grilling.
These tools make it easy to create grilled buttermilk chicken with juicy texture, smoky flavor and perfectly grilled results every time.
Ingredients
These ingredients come together to create flavorful grilled buttermilk chicken.
- Buttermilk
- Mustard powder
- Sriracha
- Minced garlic
- Paprika
- Chicken drumsticks
- Chicken thighs
- Vegetable oil
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges (optional)

Directions for Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
Step 1: In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, mustard powder, Sriracha, garlic and paprika.
Step 2: Place chicken in large zip-top bag; pour buttermilk mixture over chicken. Seal bag and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
Step 3: Heat outdoor grill for direct grilling over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess; discard marinade.
Step 4: Lightly oil grill grates. Transfer chicken to grill and cook, turning occasionally, 16-18 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F.
Step 5: Transfer chicken to serving platter. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
Recipe courtesy of Lori Yates of Foxes Love Lemons on behalf of Milk Means More.
For more mouth-watering grilling recipes:
How To Grill Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Flame-Cooked Food: A Grilling BBQ Cookbook
The Best Grilling Cookbook Ever Written By Two Idiots
The Ultimate Book of Grilling: Recipes, Tips, and Tricks for Easy Outdoor Cooking
Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
We're taking an old fried favorite recipe and turning it into a grilled favorite - Grilled Buttermilk Chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 4 chicken drumsticks, bone in, skin on
- 4 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on vegetable oil, for grill
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, mustard powder, Sriracha, garlic and paprika.
- Place chicken in large zip-top bag; pour buttermilk mixture over chicken. Seal bag and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
- Heat outdoor grill for direct grilling over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess; discard marinade.
- Lightly oil grill grates. Transfer chicken to grill and cook, turning occasionally, 16-18 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Transfer chicken to serving platter. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 538Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 286mgSodium: 597mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 57g
For more mouth-watering grilling recipes:
How To Grill Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Flame-Cooked Food: A Grilling BBQ Cookbook
The Best Grilling Cookbook Ever Written By Two Idiots
The Ultimate Book of Grilling: Recipes, Tips, and Tricks for Easy Outdoor Cooking
Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection
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Loving the idea of marinating in buttermilk; while I’ve done that before with shark and kingfish fillets, I haven’t tried it with chicken. Thanks for the tip (and the sriracha sounds like a great addition of flavor)!
Have you used boneless, skinless breast pieces for this? Any changes or cook time difference? Thanks!
Well, skinless breasts are usually thinner so they require less time. Grilling is always more of an artform than an equation. So know your grill and how long it takes to normally grill chicken breasts.
NO salt?!?
This recipe doesn’t need added salt because the other ingredients already bring plenty of flavor and a little natural saltiness to season the chicken.
The pictures make my mouth water! I love chicken, especially grilled. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
I haven’t thought of adding buttermilk to grilled chicken. Genius idea! I love that this recipe has Sriracha, too – my favorite!? Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
I just love grilled chicken and can not wait to break out the grill. These look delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
Your Grilled Buttermilk Chicken looks delicious, I can’t wait to try the recipe! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us soon!
Miz Helen
Looks Delish!