- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. Time: 5 to 6 minutes per side.
- Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F)
- Best technique: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F.
There are many different cuts of chicken, including whole birds, wings, thighs, breasts, and breasts with and without bones. To make each cut safe to eat and tasty as well, you must grill it for a specific amount of time.
The size of the chicken piece, including the amount of bone, and the temperature of the grill are the two main factors that determine how long to grill chicken.
A piece of chicken will take longer to cook the more bones it has. For instance, the drumstick and thighs, which have the largest bones and will require the most time to prepare,
The other element is the temperature of your BBQ. The lower the temperature, the more time you will need.
In this article, we’ll examine the various chicken cuts, discuss the variables that may impact how long they take to grill, and provide a detailed breakdown of the time and temperature needed for each cut.
Knowing this will enable you to prepare the ideal bird for cooking. No more guesswork, or embarrassing chicken fiascos.
So let’s start with what may be the most crucial factor to take into account first: the temperature both inside and outside.
How Long Does it Take to Grill a Whole Chicken?
It will take between 105 and 150 minutes to cook a 6-pound chicken whole.
The total cooking time depends on the effectiveness of your BBQ, ambient temperature (the weather), and the starting temperature of the chicken.
The recommended temperature range for your grill is 200-300 °F (93-149 °C), whether you grill it upright or on its back. Depending on the size of the bird and how well your grill maintains temperature, the total cooking time will be between one and two hours.
However, you can drastically cut the time if you spatchcock the chicken!
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A whole chicken can be cooked in just 30 to 40 minutes if it is spatchcocked because the thickness of each part is drastically reduced and heat can reach every part of the bird more easily.
Use a dependable thermometer to ensure that every part of the chicken is cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and keep in mind that the thermometer, not the clock, determines when the chicken is done.
What is The Best Internal Temperature For Chicken?
165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 °C) is the only temperature you should keep in mind. This is the minimum safe internal temperature of chicken.
You will be able to eat your legs and thighs even though you may want to cook them a little more thoroughly.
Some recipes instruct you to cut the chicken and check the juices to see if they run clear. Clear juices are not a reliable indicator of doneness. Juices may not run clear until the bird is significantly overcooked depending on its age.
How Long to Grill all the Different Cuts of Chicken
After learning the safe cooking temperature for chicken and how to check your barbecue’s temperature, let’s examine how long it takes to grill various chicken parts and cuts.
With some expert notes and considerations for each cut, from whole chickens to thighs and wings, we cover all the options.
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a chicken breast on a gas grill?
Before cooking, preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat, or 350–400° F. Lightly grease grill surface and add chicken. Cook for 8 minutes with the lid shut, or until the bottoms are browned and have sear marks. Turn chicken over, cover, and cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do you cook grilled chicken on the grill?
For 6 to 8 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked over direct medium heat (350 °F), it will take between 8 and 12 minutes; for 10 to 12 ounces of bone-in chicken breast cooked over indirect medium heat (350 °F); and for 30 to 40 minutes for a leg or thigh cooked over indirect medium heat (350 °F).
How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out?
Simple brine made from 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups of water can be made in just 30 minutes. This is all the time the chicken breasts require to absorb moisture to the point where they can withstand the heat of the grill without drying out.
How hot should grill be for chicken breast?
Heat grill to medium heat (approximately 400 degrees F). Cook chicken at medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side with direct heat (direct flame).
