The time for grilling chicken is around 45 to 60 minutes at 230 to 250 F. However, there are other considerations that need to be accounted for as well.
Cooking Thoroughly
The time frame mentioned above may vary slightly depending on the size of the chicken. The rule of thumb is the lower the temperature the longer it’ll take to cook. However the above mentioned heat range has two advantages. Number one, it will cook the meat thoroughly. Number two, you don’t have to worry about the heat burning the chicken.
Put some olive oil on the grate prior to using it. This keeps the meat from sticking all over the place. When grilling chicken, adding some liquid smoke to the oil is recommended. Put this on the grill.
Charcoal and Thermometer
One of the secrets to preparing well grilled foods is charcoal. Although it can be messy, the flavors you’ll get for using it will be worth it. It also pays to use a thermometer. Insert it in the thickest part of the meat to get the accurate reading.
If you don’t use a thermometer, you might be tempted to slice the meat to check if it’s cooked. This will cause juices and flavors to drip out. With this device, you’ll never have to worry about under-cooking or overcooking the chicken.
There are specially designed devices used for cooking so you should get one. When cooking, make sure the surface area is level. If you’re grilling chicken on an uneven surface, the flavor will be uneven as well. Boneless chicken is cooked at 170 F while the bone will be ready at 180 F.
Sauces and Resting the Chicken
Basting when cooking should be avoided. In particular avoid it when using sugary types like barbecue. Number one, it can cause flare ups due to the sugars. Number two, sugars can burn. This will give chicken a bitter taste. Do the basting when you’re done grilling. After basting, let the chicken cool down for at least two minutes.
Resting the meat is important. Why? After you’re done grilling
chicken, the juices may be stuck in some places. By letting the meat rest, it’ll be distributed uniformly. You can eat it right after cooking. However, it won’t have the right flavor. When cooking chicken, a little patience is needed for the best results.
Using a Recipe Book
The grill you bought usually has one. There are also plenty of recipes available on the Web. Use these recipes as templates to help create your own dish. If you’re new to grilling, this can help you get started on the right track.
One of the advantages of doing this is that guesswork will be thrown out the window. You don’t have to wonder about how much barbecue sauce to use. Other side dishes can be prepared easily as well.
Learning the art of grilling chicken isn’t hard. Even if you know the ways, these tips should help you get more flavors out of the dish.
