How to Cook Barbecue Chicken
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken
- 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken parts (legs, thighs, wings, breasts)
- Kosher salt
- Extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade
How to cook BBQ Chicken
- Coat the chicken pieces with olive oil and sprinkle salt over them on all sides.
- Prepare one side of your grill for high, direct heat. If you are using charcoal or wood, make sure there is a cool side to the grill where there are few to no coals.
- Lay the chicken pieces skin side down on the hottest side of the grill in order to sear the skin side well. Grill uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how hot the grill is (you do not want the chicken to burn).
- Once you have a good sear on one side, turn the chicken pieces over and move them to the cooler side of the grill. If you are using a gas grill, maintain the flame on only one side of the grill, and move the chicken pieces to the cooler side, not directly over the flame. Reduce the temp to low or medium low (between 250°F and 275°F, no more than 300°F).Cover the grill and cook undisturbed for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Turn the chicken pieces over and baste them with with your favorite barbecue sauce. Cover the grill again and allow to cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Repeat, turning the chicken pieces over, basting them with sauce, covering, and cooking for another 10-30 minutes.
The timing will depend on your grill set-up, the size of your chicken pieces, and how cold your chicken pieces are to start with! If you’re grilling smaller pieces of chicken on a charcoal grill, they may be done much earlier. The goal is to maintain a low enough grill temp so that the chicken cooks “low and slow.”
The chicken is done when the internal temperature of the chicken pieces are 160°F for breasts and 170°F for thighs, when tested with a meat thermometer.
Or if you insert the tip of a knife into the middle of the thickest piece and the juices run clear, the chicken is done.
If the chicken isn’t done, turn the pieces over and continue to cook at a low temperature.
- Sear a final time, then remove from heat.
- Use a clean brush to paint the cooked chicken with more barbecue sauce and serve.
How long do you cook chicken on the BBQ?
Grill chicken, without turning, 6 to 10 minutes for boneless chicken and 10 to 14 minutes for bone-in. Flip and grill until cooked through, or a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of meat (avoiding bone) registers 160 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes more.
Do you put BBQ sauce on chicken before or after baking?
Most grillers will apply the sauce first and then continue to baste the chicken with sauce while it cooks. This is a common practice, but it can lead to burning your chicken. You want the chicken to slowly cook to perfection and then add the sauce during the final 10 to 15 minutes of cooking.
Should I pre cook chicken before BBQ?
You don’t have to pre–cook chicken before putting on the BBQ. However, it’s a good idea to. We like cooking chicken in the oven and then giving it the final ‘finish’ on the barbecue. You will still enjoy that ‘smoky’ flavour but you’ll know for sure you’ve cooked the chicken all the way through.
How long do you cook chicken on a charcoal grill?
Grill the chickenPlace the chicken breasts on the hot side of the grate, directly above the coals. Sear the breasts for about three to four minutes per side, turning only once, until golden brown. If the grill flares up, temporarily move the chicken away from the coals.
Is it better to grill with the lid open or closed?
Every time you open the lid you vent all the built-up heat from the grill and slow the cooking process. It is usually best to leave the lid down as much as possible on your gas grill since grilling is best done fast and hot.
How long should you grill chicken on each side?
How long do you grill chicken on each side? Grill chicken breasts around 5 minutes on each side.
Do you grill chicken on high or low heat?
If you cook the chicken on too hot a grill, the skin will burn before the flesh cooks. Medium-low is the best temperature on a charcoal grill, and medium on a gas grill. This way, you‘ll crisp the skin and avoid flareups. Dark meat on the bone is more flavorful and will stay juicier on the grill.
How do you keep chicken moist on the grill?
All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out.
How do you grill chicken without burning it?
Maintain a temperature between 230º and 250ºF, opening or closing the vents and adding charcoal as needed. Baste with apple juice after half an hour. Continue to cook the chicken for about 3 hours, basting every 45 minutes. Wait until the chicken is cooked through before basting with the sauce.
How do you marinate chicken without burning it on the BBQ?
One of the best ways to prevent burning is to make sure your meat doesn’t stick to the surface of the grill. So make sure you brush the grill with oil or cooking spray before you heat it up. It’s also a good idea to brush some oil on all sides of your chicken or soak it in an oil-based marinade before grilling.
What’s the best way to grill chicken?
Preheat grill to medium high heat. Place chicken on the grill for 7-8 minutes. Flip over and cook an additional 7-8 minutes or until no pink remains and chicken reaches 165°F. Rest 3-5 minutes before slicing.
How long does it take to BBQ chicken thighs?
How long does it take to grill chicken thighs?
- For boneless chicken thighs you will be grilling them for approximately 8 minutes.
- For bone-in chicken thighs you will be grilling them for approximately 10-13 minutes.
Why does my chicken burn on the grill?
You have the temperature set too high.Unlike steak, which requires a high heat to sear and quickly cook on a grill, chicken will burn on the outside while not fully cooking on the inside if the heat is too high. Chicken will cook more evenly and thoroughly with a lower temperature.
Is slightly undercooked chicken OK?
It’s dangerous to eat raw or undercooked chicken due to the possible presence of bacteria such as salmonella or campylobacter. Campylobacter can also invade your system if you eat undercooked poultry or food that has touched undercooked poultry.
Do you grill chicken skin side down first?
Always cook the chicken skin side down first and plan to leave it there for the next 20 minutes or more — or until it is nearly all the way cooked. You‘ll end up with crispy and beautifully browned skin (remember, it insulates the meat), plus the chicken will be cooked evenly to the bone.
How do you get crispy skin on BBQ chicken?
Season the chicken skin with salt and grill skin-side down over moderately-low heat until the fat has rendered and the skin is nice and crisp. Keep the heat low—if it gets too high, the fat will sear and not cook slowly and melt away. Flip the chicken and grill for a few minutes skin-side up until cooked through.
Why is my chicken skin not crispy?
Dry your bird.“People put butter on the chicken skin with the idea that it’s going to help it become crispy — it doesn’t,” he laments. “It helps the skin to go brown because the solids in the butter brown, but it doesn’t make it crispier.” Instead, he recommends using vegetable oil after thoroughly drying your bird.