Grilling is a favorite summer activity, and one of the most popular proteins to cook on the grill is chicken. Whether you’re cooking up chicken breasts, thighs, or wings, it’s important to understand the basics of grilling so that you can get the best results every time. This blog post will answer the question “How long to grill 1 lb. chicken breast?” We’ll cover the best grilling techniques, the right temperature, and the importance of checking the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s cooked through. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to make perfectly cooked, juicy chicken breasts on the grill. So, fire up the grill and let’s get started!
What Happens if The Chicken Cooks Too Long?
Chicken is a very lean meat and dries quickly. Overcooking will make it dry, chewy and tough. Moreover, cooking chicken with its skin on over direct heat will cause it to burn.
Instead of a mild, delectable smoky flavor, overcooking the meat can easily result in an acrid burnt flavor throughout the meat.
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.
How Long to Grill Chicken Leg Quarters?
It takes longer to cook the legs and thighs than the breasts or wings because they have the largest bones.
Whole chicken legs should be grilled for 30 to 40 minutes over indirect heat, turning after 15 minutes. Finish for approximately 10 minutes with direct heat, 5 minutes per side.
You want to wait until the internal temperature is 180°F to 190°F before removing them from the grill because of the dark meat and bones. 165 °F is safe, but meat tastes better and is more tender at 180 °F.
FAQ
How long do you grill a chicken breast?
- 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.
How long do you grill thin chicken breast on a gas grill?
Before cooking the chicken, make sure your grill is very hot. You want nice grill marks and char in the brief time that these are cooked. Chicken breasts that have been thinly pounded only require 2 to 3 minutes per side, no longer. If you try to flip the chicken and it feels stuck, give it another 30 seconds.
Should you grill chicken breast fast or slow?
The slower you cook chicken, the better. That’s the overall rule for cooking protein. When you place the chicken breast in the pan, set the heat to medium-high. Sear it quickly.
How long should you grill chicken at 400 degrees?
Heat an outdoor grill over medium-high heat, about 400 degrees. Chicken should be grilled for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until it reaches 165 degrees F inside. Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
