While achieving the perfect burger doneness is the goal of many grill masters, not every patron is interested in red meat. Grilling chicken enhances the umami flavor of the poultry, offering a healthful and typically less expensive alternative to cuts of grilled beef. We break down how to grill each chicken cut so you can add delish grilled breasts, thighs, and wings to your summer catering menu.
Shop All Outdoor Commercial GrillsSafe Chicken Grilling Temperature
When grilling chicken, it is crucial that it reaches a safe internal temperature to prevent foodborne illnesses. The recommended safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is necessary to kill any harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, that may be present in the chicken.
How to Check Temperature of Chicken
The most accurate way to check the internal temperature of chicken is by using a grill thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding any bones, to get an accurate reading. Once the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is safe to consume. It is important to maintain this temperature throughout the cooking process to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.
How Long to Grill Chicken Breast
The total grill time for chicken breast is between 12 and 16 minutes. Lean chicken breast meat is prone to drying out on the grill. To prevent this, cook each side for two to three minutes over direct heat. Then, transfer to indirect heat and turn until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. A meat thermometer is a reliable way to monitor the internal temperature and prevent overcooking.
Chicken breast has a mild taste and readily absorbs the flavor of marinades. From an American BBQ sauce to an Asian sauce like gochujang, saturating the chicken breast in a marinade for a few hours before grilling will enhance the flavor of the meat. When ready to grill, preheat and maintain a medium-high grill temperature between 425 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact grilling time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken breast.
- Chicken Breast Grilling Temperature: 425 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Total Chicken Breast Grilling Time: 12 to 16 minutes
- Chicken Breast Grilling Tips: Start by grilling over direct heat to sear. Then move to indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs
The recommended grilling time for boneless chicken thighs is 7 to 8 minutes per side. This cooking time allows the chicken to develop a nicely charred exterior while retaining its juiciness on the inside. Boneless chicken thighs are a popular choice for grilling as they are tender and cook relatively quickly. Their rich, juicy flavor stands up against bold, savory sauces like our honey miso chicken thigh recipe.
To ensure the chicken thighs cook evenly and quickly without drying out, cook them over medium-high heat, typically around 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking chicken thighs over direct heat allows them to cook through efficiently while developing a delicious sear on the outside. Use a meat thermometer to ensure its internal temperature is safe to consume.
- Boneless Chicken Thighs Grilling Temperature: 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Total Boneless Chicken Thighs Grilling Time: 15 to 20 minutes
- Boneless Chicken Thighs Grilling Tips: Cook over direct heat until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Grill bone-in chicken thighs for 6 to 8 minutes on each side. To begin, preheat one zone of your grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for direct heat and another to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for indirect heat. When the grill is ready, place the chicken thighs skin side down over direct heat. Sear the chicken for approximately three minutes, or until the skin turns a beautiful golden brown. After searing one side, flip the chicken thighs and sear the other side for an additional three minutes.
Once both sides are seared, transfer the chicken thighs to the indirect heat portion of the grill. Rotate and flip the thighs occasionally to ensure even cooking. Continue grilling the bone-in chicken thighs over indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the chicken is cooked thoroughly and safe to eat.
- Bone-In Chicken Thighs Grilling Temperature: 400 degrees Fahrenheit direct heat zone and 300 degrees Fahrenheit indirect heat zone
- Total Bone-In Chicken Thighs Grilling Time: 20 to 25 minutes
- Bone-In Chicken Thighs Grilling Tips: Use direct heat for searing and indirect heat for reaching a safe internal temperature after it's seared.
How Long to Grill Chicken Legs
The total grill time for chicken legs averages between 20 to 30 minutes, depending on their size. Begin by preheating the grill between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and placing the chicken legs on the grill with the bone side down. This positioning helps the meat cook evenly and retains its moisture throughout the grilling process. Flip the chicken legs every 5 minutes. Continue this process until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
For those looking to achieve crispier skin on their grilled chicken legs, consider starting over direct heat to sear the skin. This initial high heat will help to lock in the juices and create a flavorful crust. After searing, move the chicken legs to indirect heat to finish cooking them, cooking the chicken gently and evenly without burning the skin.
- Chicken Legs Grilling Temperature: 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Total Chicken Legs Grilling Time: 30 to 35 minutes
- Chicken Legs Grilling Tips: For crispy skin, start over direct heat and move to indirect heat.
How Long to Grill Chicken Wings
Chicken wings typically take 15 to 20 minutes to finish, depending on the wingspan and the specific grill temperature. Turn the wings every three minutes. This helps prevent burning and cooks the wings evenly on all sides. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Before grilling chicken wings, preheat your grill to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature provides a good balance between cooking the wings thoroughly and achieving a nice char on the outside. Cook the wings over direct heat to develop a crispy exterior until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Chicken Wings Grilling Temperature: 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Total Chicken Wings Grilling Time: 15 to 20 minutes
- Chicken Wings Grilling Tips: Use direct heat to develop a crispy exterior.
How Long to Grill Chicken Quarters
Grilling chicken quarters takes 45 to 55 minutes. Preheating the grill to 375 degrees Fahrenheit allows the chicken quarters to cook evenly, creating crispy skin without drying the meat. Start by placing the chicken quarters over direct heat with the skin side down. With two high-quality kitchen timers handy, set the first timer for 10 minutes. Using your second timer, turn the chicken every two minutes to sear the skin and lock in the juices.
After the 10-minute searing period is complete, move the chicken quarters to the indirect heat section of the grill. Keep the skin side down. The indirect heat cooking allows the chicken to cook slowly and evenly, ensuring the meat is tender and juicy. Continue cooking the chicken quarters until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to determine when the chicken is fully cooked and safe to consume.
- Chicken Quarters Grilling Temperature: 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Total Chicken Quarters Grilling Time: 45 to 55 minutes
- Chicken Quarters Grilling Tips: Use direct heat to create a crispy skin and indirect heat to yield juicy meat. Start with the skin side down.
How Long to Grill a Whole Chicken
The total grill time for a whole chicken typically ranges from 45 minutes to 1 hour. The thickest part of the chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is safe to eat. Maintaining a grill temperature between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit allows the chicken to cook evenly and develop a delicious, charred exterior.
Before grilling a whole chicken, spatchcock it by removing the backbone so it lays flat on the grill. This method not only helps the chicken cook more evenly but also reduces the overall grilling time. Using indirect heat prevents the white meat portions from drying out while the dark meat portions finish cooking. Brine the chicken before grilling it to enhance its flavor and juiciness.
- Whole Chicken Grilling Temperature: 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Total Whole Chicken Grilling Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour (until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Whole Chicken Grilling Tips: Spatchcock the chicken so you can lay it flat on the grill, brine it to enhance its flavor, and use indirect heat so white meat portions don’t dry out while the dark meat portions finish cooking.
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Chicken Grilling Tips
To ensure your grilled chicken is both delicious and safe to eat, follow these tips.
- Prepare the Meat: Before grilling chicken, trim excess fat, marinate and/or season the chicken to enhance flavor and tenderness, and ensure the chicken is at room temperature before grilling.
- Temperature Control: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit) before placing the chicken on the grates. This helps sear the chicken and lock in juices. Review the sections above for the exact grill temperature range for each chicken cut.
- Avoid Flare-Ups: Chicken skin contains fat that can cause flare-ups on the grill. To prevent this, trim excess skin and fat from the chicken before grilling. If you want to grill the chicken in its skin, start by searing the meat over direct heat and then finish cooking it over indirect heat to prevent flare-ups.
- Cook to Safe Internal Temperature: The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature destroys any harmful bacteria in the chicken, making it safe to consume.
- Use a Thermometer: For food safety, use a meat thermometer to determine when the chicken is fully cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding contact with bones, to get an accurate reading.
- Rest the Meat: Once the chicken is grilled to perfection, rest it for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, yielding juicier and more flavorful grilled chicken meat.
Chefs can customize grilled chicken with marinades, seasonings, and sauces to suit customers' preferences. With the right equipment, such as commercial-grade grills and accessories, you can efficiently prepare large quantities of grilled chicken to meet the demands of a busy summer season. Consider featuring grilled chicken as a star attraction on your Fourth of July menu for a crowd-pleasing and cost-effective menu special.
