Barbecuing chicken is one of the most popular ways to prepare this versatile meat. The smoky, charred flavor that grilling imparts makes chicken irresistible. However, achieving perfect results requires knowing how long to cook chicken on a barbecue. Here is a comprehensive guide to determining barbecue chicken cook times.
Factors That Affect Chicken BBQ Cook Times
Several key factors impact how long it takes to barbecue chicken:
Type of Chicken
- Whole chicken takes longer than bone-in chicken parts or boneless breasts/thighs.
- Larger, thicker cuts like bone-in breasts or whole birds require more time than thinner boneless cuts.
- Dark meat thighs/legs cook slower than white meat breasts.
Temperature and Thickness
- Colder chicken right from the fridge needs longer. Letting it sit at room temperature helps shorten cook time.
- The thickness of the chicken pieces matters. Thicker parts need more time than thinner ones.
- Maintaining proper heat levels in the barbecue is also essential. Insufficient heat lengthens cooking.
Cooking Method
- Direct high-heat grilling cooks chicken faster than indirect low-heat smoking.
- Turning the chicken frequently accelerates cooking compared to leaving it untouched.
- Basting or glazing adds time as the sauce caramelizes and chars.
- Bone-in vs. boneless also impacts cook times. Bones conduct heat slower.
Doneness Preference
- Cook time varies based on desired doneness from undercooked to well-done.
- Chicken cooked to a safe minimum 165°F internal temperature requires longer than lightly seared chicken.
How Long to BBQ Whole Chickens
Whole chickens take the longest to barbecue since the meat is thickest.
Whole Roasting Chickens
- 1.5-2.5 hours at medium indirect heat of 325-350°F.
- Monitor temperature in thickest part of thigh. Cook to at least 165°F.
- Add 30-60 mins if stuffed. Rotisserie chickens cook slightly faster.
Game Hens
- 45 mins – 1 hour at medium indirect heat around 350°F.
- Game hens weigh 1-2 lbs. Smaller size equals less cook time.
- Test temperature in thighs and breasts. 165°F minimum.
Cornish Game Hens
- 1-1.5 hours at medium indirect heat about 350°F.
- Weighing 2-3 lbs, they require more time than quail.
- Cook to 165°F in breast and 175°F in thighs.
BBQ Times for Chicken Parts
Bone-in and boneless chicken parts need less time on the grill than whole birds.
Chicken Breasts
- Boneless breasts: Grill 4-8 mins per side over direct medium-high heat.
- Bone-in breasts: Grill 15-25 mins per side over indirect medium heat.
- Either way, cook until 165°F minimum internal temperature.
Chicken Thighs
- Boneless thighs: Grill 8-12 mins total over direct medium-high heat.
- Bone-in thighs: Grill 25-35 mins total using indirect medium heat.
- Cook until 175°F internal temperature.
Chicken Legs or Drumsticks
- Bone-in legs/drumsticks: Grill 35-45 mins total over indirect medium heat.
- Cook until internal temperature reaches 175°F in the thickest section.
Chicken Wings
- Grill wings 15-30 mins total over direct medium-high heat.
- Cook until skin is crispy and inside reaches 165°F minimum.
How Long to Grill Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Boneless, skinless breasts are lean and prone to drying out. Follow these tips:
- Grill 4-6 mins per side over direct medium-high heat.
- Resist urge to flip constantly. Only flip once if possible.
- Brush with oil or marinade for moisture. Avoid charring.
- Cook to 165°F internal temperature.
- Rest 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
- Take care not to overcook or breasts will be stringy and tough.
Doneness Indicators for Barbecued Chicken
Learning the signs of done chicken helps avoid under or overcooking:
- Meat starts shrinking back from bones.
- Juices run clear not pink when pierced.
- Chicken jiggles slightly rather than wobbles.
- Breasts split cleanly with a fork.
- Thighs/legs move easily at joints.
- Temperature reaches 165°F breasts, 175°F thighs/legs.
- Skin is lightly charred and crispy.
Following proper barbecue techniques and using a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. With the proper heat and cook times for whole birds or parts, chicken comes off the grill moist, tender and full of smoky barbecue flavor. Just remember to account for the various factors that can require longer or shorter barbecue cook times when determining exactly how long chicken needs on the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Chicken Cook Times
How long should I barbecue chicken legs?
Chicken legs and drumsticks usually take 35-45 minutes when cooking over indirect medium heat on a barbecue. The thicker joint area between the leg and thigh bone may require up to an hour if the chicken is very large. Cook legs and drumsticks to an internal temperature of 175°F.
What is the minimum safe temperature for barbecued chicken?
Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part to be considered safe to eat. For chicken thighs, legs and wings, cook to 175°F as they contain more connective tissue and fat. Use a meat thermometer to confirm safe doneness.
How can I tell when bone-in breasts are done on the barbecue?
Check for an internal temperature of 165°F with a meat thermometer. Also, look for the meat shrinking back from the ends of the bones and juices running clear when pierced. The breasts should gently bounce back when prodded rather than wobbling loosely.
Should I grill chicken on high or low heat?
Use a medium or medium-high direct heat for thinner boneless cuts like breasts and kabobs. Cook bone-in chicken over indirect medium heat to allow the interior time to cook without burning the outside. Avoid high heat that can overly char and dry out the meat.
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken on a gas grill?
Plan on 1.5-2.5 hours cooking time for a whole roasting chicken at 325-350°F indirect heat on a gas grill. Whole chickens have very thick joints so require longer than just chicken parts. Let whole birds rest 10 minutes before carving.
Can I speed up chicken barbecue times?
Yes, a few tactics can shorten cook times slightly. Letting the meat sit at room temperature 20-30 minutes before grilling helps it cook quicker. Starting over direct high heat to sear also shaves off a few minutes. But take care not to burn the exterior. Resist flipping chicken constantly which slows cooking.
Should I flip chicken often while barbecuing?
Flipping chicken too frequently causes it to cook more slowly and dry out. For bone-in parts or whole chickens, flip only once halfway through if you can. Boneless cuts may need turning 2-3 times for even cooking but avoid constant flipping. Letting the chicken sear develops flavor.
Key Takeaways on Barbecuing Chicken Perfectly
- Cook times range widely from 4 mins per side for boneless breasts to over 2 hours for a whole bird.
- Factors like temperature, thickness, bone-in or boneless all impact how long chicken needs to barbecue.
- Use indirect heat for whole chickens or bone-in parts to prevent burning.
- Chicken is safely cooked once it reaches 165°F breasts, 175°F thighs/legs.
- Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juiciness.
With the proper cook times and temperatures for the specific cut and type of chicken, you can achieve perfect barbecue results every time. Mastering barbecue chicken takes experimentation to learn your grill, but the reward is succulent, smoky chicken all summer long.