The cooking time for chicken on the BBQ can vary depending on the thickness and cut of the meat. Generally, boneless chicken breasts take around 6-8 minutes per side, while larger pieces or bone-in chicken may take up to 20-30 minutes to cook through.
How long does it take to cook chicken on the bbq?
When it comes to cooking chicken on the BBQ, the cooking time can vary depending on several factors, such as the thickness and cut of the meat, the temperature of the grill, and personal preferences for doneness. A general guideline is to cook boneless chicken breasts for approximately 6-8 minutes per side on a preheated grill over medium-high heat. However, larger pieces of chicken or bone-in cuts may require longer cooking times to ensure they are fully cooked.
While it’s essential to monitor the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches a safe level, it’s equally important not to overcook it, as it can result in dry and tough chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for chicken to be considered safe to eat.
Famous chef and TV personality, Gordon Ramsay, once shared his perspective on grilling chicken on the BBQ. He said, “Grilling chicken is all about getting that beautiful charred flavor while ensuring it’s juicy and cooked through. It’s important to find the right balance and practice, as it can take some trial and error.”
Here are some interesting facts about cooking chicken on the BBQ:
Marination: Marinating chicken before grilling can add flavor and help tenderize the meat. It’s recommended to marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, but it can also be marinated overnight for a more intense flavor.
Temperature: Preheating the grill is crucial to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. A medium-high heat setting is commonly used for grilling chicken.
Direct and Indirect Heat: Some recipes suggest starting the chicken on direct heat to get a nice sear and then moving it to indirect heat to finish cooking more evenly. This method is particularly beneficial for thicker cuts.
BBQ Sauce: Applying BBQ sauce too early can cause it to burn due to its sugar content. It’s best to wait until the last few minutes of cooking to brush on the sauce for a delicious glaze.
To provide a more visual representation, here’s a table summarizing the approximate grilling times for different cuts of chicken:
Cut of Chicken
Thickness (inches)
Cooking Time (per side)
Boneless Breast
1/2-3/4
6-8 minutes
Thigh
3/4-1
8-10 minutes
Drumstick
3/4-1
10-12 minutes
Wings
N/A
12-15 minutes
Whole Chicken
N/A
20-30 minutes
Note: These cooking times are approximate and can vary depending on individual grills and preferences. It’s always recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness.
Answer to your inquiry in video form
Ryan from the Grill Top Experience provides a beginner’s guide to grilling chicken thighs, explaining that they are forgiving and easy to cook, making them a great meat to start with. The video demonstrates how to grill chicken thighs on both gas and charcoal grills and provides two different recipes for those with a lot of time and those short on time. Tips are provided on trimming excess fat, monitoring temperature, setting up the grill for indirect cooking, and achieving the right temperatures for cooking with charcoal. The video also explains how cooking chicken at higher heat with charcoal and wood can achieve the same smoke flavor while maintaining crispy skin. The thighs are grilled for about an hour and then charred over the fire for skin rendering, making sure to watch closely to prevent burning. The thighs are taken off once they reach 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other approaches of answering your query
Time, Temperature and Technique
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. Time: 5 to 6 minutes per side.
Chicken Tenders. Time: 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Chicken Wings. Time: 15 to 20 minutes.
Drumsticks. Time: 30 minutes.
Thighs (Bone-In) Time: 30 to 40 minutes.
Boneless Skinless Thighs.
Skip the Guesswork.
Use Direct and Indirect Heat.
People are also interested
How long do you barbecue chicken on each side?
Answer will be: Place your chicken breasts on your preheated grill, and close the lid. It’s important to keep the lid of your grill closed while your chicken is cooking so that no heat escapes. Cook your chicken breast on the grill for 6-8 minutes on one side. After 6-8 minutes flip your chicken breast and cook for 6-8 minutes more.
How long to cook chicken on grill at 400?
As an answer to this: Grill chicken breasts over direct heat at 400ºF for around 7-8 minutes. Then, flip chicken breasts and continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes. You know the chicken breast is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 160ºF – 165ºF. Remove from the grill and let rest* for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.
How long to cook raw chicken on a gas grill?
Over a medium-high heat grill (about 350˚-425˚), grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, until an internal temperature of 165˚ is achieved.
How do you know when chicken is cooked on the BBQ?
Response to this: If you are cooking a whole chicken, start it off on the hot part of the barbecue until it gets some colour then move to a cooler part of the barbecue and cover with the lid to retain the heat. To check the chicken is cooked, insert a knife near the thigh bone and if the juices run clear it’s ready.
Does BBQ chicken need to reach a certain internal temperature before it is done?
In reply to that: Because of the dark meat and bones, you want to wait until the internal temperature is 180 °F to 190 °F before taking them off the grill. 165 °F is safe, but at 180 °F the meat tastes much better, and it will be tender. When it comes to cooking chicken breasts, there is no difference between organic and non-organic chicken.
How long do I need to cook BBQ chicken on the grill?
Whether you grill it upright in a beer can chicken recipe, or on its back, the preferred temperature range for your grill is 200–300 °F (93–149 °C). This is a long, slow cooking process, that will take approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the bird and how well your grill maintains temperature.
What temperature should I set the grill to when barbecuing chicken?
The efficiency of your BBQ, ambient temperature (the weather) and starting temperature of the chicken contribute to the overall cooking time. Whether you grill it upright in a beer can chicken recipe, or on its back, the preferred temperature range for your grill is 200–300 °F (93–149 °C).
How long does it take to barbecue a whole chicken?
As a response to this: A whole 6-pound chicken will take 105 minutes to 150 minutes. The efficiency of your BBQ, ambient temperature (the weather) and starting temperature of the chicken contribute to the overall cooking time.
Does BBQ chicken need to reach a certain internal temperature before it is done?
The response is: Because of the dark meat and bones, you want to wait until the internal temperature is 180 °F to 190 °F before taking them off the grill. 165 °F is safe, but at 180 °F the meat tastes much better, and it will be tender. When it comes to cooking chicken breasts, there is no difference between organic and non-organic chicken.
How long do I need to cook BBQ chicken on the grill?
Whether you grill it upright in a beer can chicken recipe, or on its back, the preferred temperature range for your grill is 200–300 °F (93–149 °C). This is a long, slow cooking process, that will take approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the bird and how well your grill maintains temperature.
What temperature should I set the grill to when barbecuing chicken?
Response to this: The efficiency of your BBQ, ambient temperature (the weather) and starting temperature of the chicken contribute to the overall cooking time. Whether you grill it upright in a beer can chicken recipe, or on its back, the preferred temperature range for your grill is 200–300 °F (93–149 °C).
How long does it take to barbecue a whole chicken?
As an answer to this: A whole 6-pound chicken will take 105 minutes to 150 minutes. The efficiency of your BBQ, ambient temperature (the weather) and starting temperature of the chicken contribute to the overall cooking time.
