Grilling chicken on the barbecue is a summertime favorite for many. The smell and taste of chicken cooked over an open flame is hard to beat. But knowing exactly how long to grill chicken can be tricky. With a few simple tips, you’ll be able to grill juicy, flavorful chicken breasts, thighs, wings and more in no time.
Introduction
Grilling chicken requires getting the heat and cook time just right. Undercooking chicken can lead to dangerous bacteria growth. Overcooking makes the meat dry and tough. The good news is grilling chicken is easier than you think with the right techniques.
Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about how long to grill chicken on a BBQ including:
- Factors that affect grill time like thickness and bone-in vs boneless
- Recommended cook times for popular cuts like breasts, thighs and wings
- Tips to prevent overcooking and keep chicken moist
- How to tell when chicken is safely cooked through
- Grilling options like direct vs indirect heat
- Helpful tools for perfect chicken doneness
With this complete guide, you’ll gain confidence and skill for grilling chicken on your BBQ grill. Let’s get started!
How Thickness Impacts Chicken Grill Time
One of the biggest factors determining how long to grill chicken is its thickness. Thicker cuts of chicken require more grill time than thinner pieces.
Here are general grill time guidelines based on chicken thickness:
- Boneless chicken breasts 1/2 inch thick: 6 to 8 minutes per side
- Boneless chicken breasts 1 inch thick: 8 to 12 minutes per side
- Chicken thighs 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick: 8 to 12 minutes per side
- Chicken legs or wings: 15 to 25 minutes total
To avoid over or undercooking, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying strictly on grill time (more on this below).
Thinner boneless chicken breasts under 1/2 inch thick only require about 4 to 6 minutes total grill time, flipping once halfway through. They can dry out quickly with prolonged heat.
On the other end, a very thick chicken breast or thigh over 1 1/2 inches may need 14+ minutes per side. In some cases, it’s better to pound or slice thicker pieces in half horizontally so they’ll cook faster and more evenly.
Bone-In vs Boneless Chicken Grill Times
Grilling bone-in chicken takes longer than boneless cuts. The bones help insulate and conduct heat slower to the interior meat.
As a general rule, add 5 to 10 minutes to the grill time for bone-in pieces compared to boneless:
- Boneless chicken breast: 6 to 8 minutes per side
- Bone-in chicken breast: 8 to 12 minutes per side
- Boneless chicken thighs: 8 to 10 minutes per side
- Bone-in chicken thighs: 12 to 15 minutes per side
Chicken legs and wings cook even slower due to their smaller shape. Allow these bone-in pieces to grill for 15 to 25 minutes total, flipping occasionally.
If dealing with a mixed batch of boneless and bone-in chicken, try grilling them separately since they require different cook times. Or place bone-in pieces on one side of the grill and boneless on the other. This makes it easier to remove pieces as they finish.
Recommended Grill Times for Chicken Cuts
Now that we’ve covered thickness and bone-in vs boneless, here are more specific grill time ranges for popular chicken parts:
Chicken Breasts
- Boneless, 1/2 inch thick: 6-8 minutes per side
- Boneless, 1 inch thick: 8-12 minutes per side
- Bone-in: 10-15 minutes per side
Chicken Thighs
- Boneless: 8-10 minutes per side
- Bone-in: 12-15 minutes per side
Chicken Legs
- Drumsticks: 20-25 minutes total
- Bone-in thighs: 15-20 minutes total
Chicken Wings
- Flats or drumettes: 15-20 minutes total
Whole Chicken
- 3 to 4 lbs: 60-75 minutes total
- 4 to 5 lbs: 75-90 minutes total
These grill times are based on a medium heat grill around 350°F. Cooking at higher heat around 400°F will shorten the times, while lower heat around 300°F will lengthen them.
The safest bet is to always use an instant read thermometer to test for doneness instead of grill times alone. Continue reading for more tips on ensuring chicken is fully cooked.
Tips to Keep Chicken Moist
The number one issue when grilling chicken is overcooking which leads to dry, tough meat. Here are some tips to keep chicken juicy and tender on the BBQ:
Don’t Grill Chicken on High Heat
Cooking over direct high heat above 400°F can cause the exterior to burn before the inside cooks through. It takes restraint, but grill chicken over a medium heat between 325-375°F.
Watch the Temperature
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to monitor the grill’s ambient temperature. If it creeps above 400°F, rotate chicken to a cooler area or turn down the heat.
Flip Frequently
Flipping chicken often while grilling prevents any one side from overcooking. For bone-in chicken, flip every 5-8 minutes. For boneless breasts or thighs, flip every 3-4 minutes.
Spritz with Juice
Misting chicken with apple juice, lemon juice or chicken stock every flip adds moisture and flavor.
Rest Chicken Before Serving
Letting chicken rest 5-10 minutes after grilling allows juices to redistribute inward, keeping meat moist and tender when cut. Tent foil loosely over chicken while resting to retain heat.
Properly grilled chicken should turn out juicy and flavorful every time by following these tips. Next we’ll cover how to guarantee chicken is fully cooked using a thermometer.
Using a Thermometer for Perfect Doneness
A food thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining chicken doneness. Relying on grill time alone leaves room for error and undercooked chicken.
To ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature, follow these steps:
Insert Thermometer Correctly
For whole chicken or pieces with bone, insert the thermometer tip into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding touching any bones.
For boneless cuts like breasts or thighs, insert the thermometer sideways into the center.
Check Temperature in Multiple Spots
Test chicken in several places, especially for larger cuts or whole birds. Inner thighs near the breast bone can be up to 10 degrees cooler than other areas.
Check for Minimum Safe Temperature
Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured on an instant read thermometer.
Carryover Cooking
The temperature will continue rising 5-10 degrees after removing chicken from the grill as heat distributes through. To avoid overcooking, remove chicken around 160°F and let carryover cooking finish.
Using an instant read digital thermometer is the best way to take the temperature of grilled chicken. Analog dial thermometers can be inaccurate and slower to react.
Digital thermometers give a fast, precise reading to take the guesswork out of grill times. Models like the Thermapen or Dot are perfect for the grill.
Now let’s go over different grilling techniques that impact cook times.
Grilling Chicken Direct vs Indirect Heat
You can grill chicken over direct or indirect heat with some key differences:
Direct Heat
Chicken cooks directly over the heat source like coals or burners. The meat browns quickly from direct contact with flames, creating flavorful char. But chicken requires frequent flipping and temperature monitoring to prevent burning.
Direct heat is best for relatively quick cooking boneless breasts, thin thighs, wings and kebabs. It can lead to excessive drying and burning for thicker bone-in chicken.
Indirect Heat
Chicken cooks next to the heat source, not directly over it. One zone of the grill holds hot coals while the other side remains cool. Chicken cooks gently from circulating ambient heat without burning issues.
Indirect heat allows you to grill chicken more slowly, keeping the meat tender and moist. Thicker bone-in cuts like a whole bird or leg quarters do well with indirect heat.
For whole chickens or chicken parts, a two zone indirect setup often works best:
- Sear chicken over direct high heat for 2-3 minutes per side to start. This browns the skin nicely while sealing in juices.
- Move chicken to the indirect zone, cover grill and finish cooking more gently until fully done. Monitor temperature to avoid overcooking.
Whichever method you use, direct or indirect grilling, a thermometer is vital for judging doneness precisely.
Tools for Grilling Chicken Perfectly
Having the right grill tools and accessories makes cooking chicken easier and more foolproof:
- Instant Read Thermometer – Digital thermometers give a precise temperature reading to avoid under or overcooking. They’re a must for chicken.
- Disposable Aluminum Pans – Placing chicken over a disposable pan while grilling indirect catches drippings and prevents burning.
- Grilling Tongs – Long, sturdy tongs make flipping and moving chicken around the grill a breeze.
- Basting Brush – Use a brush reserved for basting to apply glazes and sauces during grilling.
- Oven Gloves – Protect hands from burns when handling chicken. Look for long, flame-resistant gloves.
- Cooler Bag – After grilling, place chicken in an insulated cooler bag to rest and finish cooking.
These simple tools take the difficulties out of grilling chicken to juicy perfection every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grilling novices often have additional questions about successfully cooking chicken on the barbecue:
How can I tell when chicken is done grilling by look?
Don’t rely solely on appearance to judge doneness. Chicken can brown while still being undercooked inside. The only way to guarantee safety is measuring internal temperature.
However, properly cooked chicken skin will look slightly charred and crispy. Meat will turn opaque all the way through with juices running clear when cut.
Should I marinate chicken before grilling?
Marinating is optional but recommended. The acid in ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar tenderizes meat. Spice rubs and herb marinades add big flavor. Just be sure to discard used marinade and not baste chicken with it to avoid bacteria.
Is it better to grill chicken on a gas or charcoal BBQ?
Gas and charcoal both work well. Charcoal provides smoky flavor from burnt wood while gas offers more convenience and temperature control. Choose based on your preference.
Can I grill frozen chicken?
Never grill chicken directly from frozen. Always thaw in the fridge first, allowing 12-24 hours for boneless cuts and 24+ hours for whole birds and bone-in pieces. Grilling frozen chicken risks dangerous undercooking.
How do I prevent chicken from sticking to the grill?
Use nonstick spray or brush grates with oil before heating. Allow grill to preheat fully before adding chicken so food doesn’t stick. Overcrowding the grill also causes sticking issues.
Key Takeaways
- Grill chicken over medium heat between 325-375°F to prevent burning and drying out.
- Bone-in chicken takes 5 to 10 minutes longer per side than boneless.
- Thicker cuts require more grill time than thinner pieces.
- An instant read thermometer provides the only sure way to check chicken doneness.
- Cook chicken to 165°F internal temperature, then rest before serving.
- Direct heat quickly cooks thinner pieces; indirect is better for bone-in and whole chicken.
- Keep chicken moist by not overcooking, spritzing with juice and resting before serving.
With the right techniques, you can achieve tender, juicy, perfectly cooked chicken on the grill every time.
For endless ideas on how long to grill chicken on bbq, check out these next:
Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipes
Once you’ve mastered the grill times, put your skills to work with amazing grilled chicken recipes:
Classic BBQ Chicken
The quintessential backyard favorite – bone-in chicken basted with sticky sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
Grill Time: 40-50 minutes
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
A Hawaiian classic of charred and caramelized chicken glazed in a ginger, brown sugar and soy marinade.
Grill Time: 35-40 minutes
Peri Peri Chicken
Spicy and flavorful Portuguese-style chicken rubbed in garlic, chili flakes and tangy peri peri seasoning.
Grill Time: 35-40 minutes
Chicken Shawarma
Middle Eastern spice-rubbed chicken sliced into pita sandwiches with garlic yogurt sauce.
Grill Time: 8-10 minutes per side
Jerk Chicken
Jamaican-style chicken infused with spicy jerk seasoning and grilled over pimento wood for authentic flavor.
Grill Time: 30-40 minutes
Chicken Satay
Thai-style chicken skewers in a sweet, nutty marinade of coconut milk and curry spices.
Grill Time: 8-10 minutes
Chicken satay is a quick and easy grilled chicken recipe for skewers
The possibilities are endless for amazing grilled chicken meals once you learn how long to cook chicken parts over direct or indirect heat. Mastering the grill times elevates simple chicken into backyard masterpieces.
Conclusion
Learning proper grill times and temperatures is the key to perfectly cooked chicken every time. Keep these essential tips in mind:
- Monitor grill heat and keep it around medium, 325-375°F
- Allow extra time for thick and bone-in chicken pieces
- Use a thermometer to guarantee 165°F doneness
- Avoid overcooking with indirect heat and flipping often
- Let chicken rest before serving for juicy, tender meat
With the techniques in this guide, you can gain confidence in grilling moist, flavorful chicken with your desired doneness. That’s the beauty of grilling chicken on bbq – a simple protein turned into a smoky, satisfying centerpiece of summer dining.