Barbecuing chicken breast can be tricky. It’s easy to end up with overcooked, dry meat if you aren’t careful. But when done right, bbq chicken breast is juicy, flavorful and delicious.
The time needed to properly barbecue chicken breasts depends on a few key factors:
- Thickness of the breasts
- Whether bone-in or boneless
- Use of direct or indirect heat
- Desired doneness
Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to barbecue chicken breasts, with tips for grilling moist, tender bbq chicken every time.
How Thick Are the Chicken Breasts?
The thickness of chicken breast halves or fillets will impact cooking time.
Thinner breasts and fillets will cook faster, while thicker pieces require more time on the grill.
Thinner Chicken Breasts
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets/cutlets – 3/4 inch thick or less
- Bone-in chicken breast halves – 1 to 1 1/4 inches thick
Thinner breasts and fillets will usually cook in 6 to 12 minutes direct heat.
Thicker Chicken Breasts
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets/cutlets – 1 inch or thicker
- Bone-in split chicken breasts – 1 1/2 inches or thicker
Thicker breasts need 12 to 18 minutes direct heat depending on thickness.
If bone-in chicken breast halves are 2 inches or thicker, it’s best to butterfly them for more even cooking.
Bone-In vs Boneless Chicken Breasts
Bone-in chicken breasts take longer to cook than boneless.
The bones help insulate the meat near them and slow heat conduction. The bone side often risks overcooking while the meaty side lags behind.
Boneless chicken cooks faster – fillets and cutlets will barbecue quicker with direct heat.
Bone-in needs more time – allow for extra grilling time, use indirect heat and finish bone-side down.
Direct vs Indirect Heat
Cooking chicken over direct heat means placing it directly over the heat source – gas burner, charcoal, etc. This transfers heat efficiently for faster cooking times.
Indirect heat involves heating the grill with burners/coals on one side and placing the chicken on the other with no direct heat below. This gentle, ambient heat needs longer cooking.
Indirect heat is better for larger bone-in chicken pieces to cook through without burning the exterior. Thinner boneless breasts do well with direct heat.
A two zone fire setup lets you sear chicken over direct heat before finishing indirectly.
Doneness Level
The ideal finished temperature when barbecuing chicken impacts total cooking time.
The USDA recommends 165°F as the safe minimum internal temperature. But many home cooks prefer pulling chicken from the grill earlier for juicier, more tender meat.
Common target temperatures are:
- 165°F – Safest doneness but can be dry. Juices run clear.
- 160°F – Very safe, with slightly pink juices.
- 155°F – Popular for juicy chicken, with pink juices.
- 150°F – Provides a small margin of safety, pink juices.
Lower final temperatures need accurate thermometers and rested meat before serving.
Higher heat = less time needed to reach 165°F. Lower heat lengthens the time to 155°F for gentler cooking.
How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Breasts
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts offer the fastest cooking with direct heat. Thinner fillets can be ready in just 6 to 8 minutes.
For 1-inch thick or larger boneless breasts:
- Sear 2-3 minutes per side over direct high heat
- Move to indirect heat and continue cooking approximately 6-9 minutes until 155°F internal temperature.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
For smaller 3/4 inch fillets or cutlets:
- Cook 4-5 minutes per side over direct medium-high to high heat until cooked through.
- Rest 3 minutes and serve.
Pro tips for moist boneless grilled chicken breasts:
- Lightly coat with oil to prevent sticking.
- Get good sear and grill marks on both sides.
- Avoid thick breasts over 1 1/2 inches – pound to flatten.
- Brine chicken in saltwater for added moisture.
How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Leave the bone in and the cooking time needs to increase. Plan for at least 12-18 minutes direct heat.
For 1 1/2 to 2-inch thick bone-in breasts:
- Sear skin-side down 4-5 minutes over direct medium heat.
- Flip and sear 4-5 minutes on second side.
- Move indirect and continue cooking approximately 8-12 minutes until 155°F.
- Rest 5 minutes.
For thinner 1 to 1 1/4 inch bone-in breasts:
- Cook 6 minutes skin-side down over direct medium heat.
- Flip and cook 6 minutes second side direct.
- Check temperature and continue until 155°F.
- Rest 5 minutes before eating.
Tips for perfectly grilled whole chicken breasts:
- Use indirect heat for larger or thicker breasts.
- Flip frequently while cooking – every 2-3 minutes.
- Finish bone-side down over direct heat to crisp skin.
- Butterfly thick breasts for faster, even cooking.
How Long Does It Take to Grill Chicken Quarters?
Chicken leg quarters contain both the thigh and drumstick in one package. Quarters offer great value for barbecuing a small crowd.
Follow this process for leg quarters:
- Sear skin-side down over direct medium heat 5 minutes.
- Flip and sear second side 3 minutes.
- Move to indirect heat and cook approximately 25-35 minutes until 175°F.
- Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for perfect quarters:
- Choose similar sized quarters for even cooking.
- Remove excess skin or fat to prevent flare-ups.
- Use indirect heat to cook through without burning.
- Flip frequently while over direct heat.
Expect grill times around 30 minutes or longer for leg quarters to fully cook. Check temperature in both the thigh and drumstick.
How Long to Grill Chicken Wings
Chicken wings cook fast on the grill thanks to their small size. Stay nearby to avoid overcooking.
Follow this method for flavorful barbecued wings:
- Season wings with spice rub or sauce.
- Grill over direct medium heat 10-14 minutes, flipping occasionally.
- Toss cooked wings in extra sauce to coat.
Ideally, chicken wings reach an internal temperature around 175-180°F. But cooking by sight and feel also works well.
Signs wings are fully cooked:
- Skin is crispy and browned.
- Meat has shrunk back from the ends of bones.
- Juices run clear (not pink) when pierced.
Allow wings 5 minutes to rest after grilling before tossing in sauce and serving.
How Long Does Smoked Chicken Breast Take?
Smoking chicken breasts infuses delicious flavor from wood smoke. The low, indirect heat needs a much longer cooking time than direct grilling.
For bone-in or boneless smoked chicken breasts, expect:
- 1 1/2 hours smoke time for a whole 3-4 pound chicken.
- 45-90 minutes for bone-in breast halves.
- 30-45 minutes for boneless breasts or fillets.
Poultry should always reach 165°F final temperature when smoking for food safety. Use a digital thermometer for best results.
Tips for maximizing flavor when smoking chicken:
- Brine chicken first for added moisture and to season meat.
- Try milder fruit woods like apple, cherry or pecan.
- Resist opening the smoker – maintain steady low temperature.
- Let chicken rest 15-20 minutes before eating for juiciness.
The extended low and slow smoke time is worth it for tender, smoky baked chicken flavor.
How Long Does Chicken Need to Rest?
An important step many home cooks overlook is letting chicken rest after grilling or smoking.
Resting helps:
- Allow juices to redistribute through the meat.
- Enable the temperature to evenly stabilize.
- Prevent further cooking from residual heat.
Ideally, let chicken breasts rest:
- Boneless – 5 minutes
- Bone-in – 5-10 minutes
- Larger cuts like quarters or whole – 10-15 minutes resting
Tenting foil loosely over chicken while resting keeps it hot and moist. The final temperature should rise 5-10°F during resting time.
Don’t skip this crucial resting period or chicken could end up dry.
Signs Chicken is Under or Overcooked
Use these visual and textural clues to identify if chicken on the barbecue is under or overdone:
Undercooked
- Raw pink color inside when cut.
- Red or pink juices when pierced.
- Flesh feels soft and rubbery.
- Does not flake with a fork.
Perfectly Cooked
- No traces of pink inside.
- Juices run clear when pierced.
- Meat flakes easily with a fork.
- Firm but still moist texture.
Overcooked
- Meat is dry or stringy.
- No juices when pierced.
- Hard, chewy consistency.
- Burnt or charred exterior.
Check chicken early and frequently as it cooks. Use these doneness indicators along with a meat thermometer to determine ideal grill times.
How to Grill Juicy Chicken Breasts Every Time
Prevent dry, overcooked chicken with these useful tips:
- Pound thicker breasts – Flatten to 1/2 inch for fast, even cooking.
- Brine the chicken – Soak in saltwater to infuse moisture.
- Use indirect heat – For gentle, ambient cooking, especially bone-in.
- Cook to proper temperature – 155 to 160°F for ideal juiciness.
- Flip frequently – Helps breasts cook evenly over direct heat.
- Let chicken rest – 5 to 10 minutes after grilling before cutting.
- Maintain grill at 375°F – Hot but not so high that chicken burns.
- Try the vortex method – Circle chicken vertically around charcoal for surround searing.
- Cook similar sized pieces – Uniform thickness for consistent doneness.
- Keep it moving – Rotate chicken while smoking for even exposure.
Mastering the barbecue grill times for chicken takes practice. Use a meat thermometer and learn to recognize properly cooked meat. The reward is restaurant-quality chicken entrées from your own backyard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilling Chicken Breasts
Still have questions about how long it takes to cook chicken breast on a barbecue grill? This FAQ has you covered.
How long should I grill a 1-inch thick chicken breast?
For a 1-inch boneless, skinless chicken breast, grill approximately 4-5 minutes per side over direct medium-high heat. Expect it to finish in under 10 minutes. Bone-in breasts need 12-15 minutes total.
What temperature do chicken breasts need to reach when grilling?
Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, but many home chefs prefer 155 to 160°F for juicier meat. Use an instant-read thermometer to check temperature.
Can I speed up grill time for chicken breasts?
Yes, flatten breasts by pounding to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut larger breasts in half. Skewer for grilling. Opt for smaller fillets. Always grill over direct high heat.
How long does it take to cook chicken thighs on the grill?
Bone-in chicken thighs take 18-22 minutes direct heat, turning occasionally. Boneless thighs need 12-15 minutes total. Cook until internal temperature reaches 175°F.
How do I keep chicken breasts moist when grilling?
Pound thicker breast to flatten, brine chicken in saltwater first, use indirect heat, flip frequently, don’t overcook, and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Can I grill chicken straight from frozen?
It’s not recommended. Thaw chicken breasts completely in the refrigerator before grilling for food safety and evenly cooked meat.
Does marinating chicken help it stay juicy on the grill?
Yes, marinades boost flavor and tenderness. Acid-based marinades also help break down proteins for a more tender texture.
What is the best way to grill a whole chicken?
Cut the chicken into 8 pieces for faster grilling. Cook over indirect low heat for larger pieces like breasts and legs. Turn and rotate frequently while cooking.
Should I brine chicken before grilling?
Brining in a saltwater solution adds tremendous flavor and moisture. Ideal for grilling juicy, well-seasoned chicken breasts.
Get Perfectly Grilled Chicken Every Time
Barbecuing boneless and bone-in chicken breasts, wings, quarters and other cuts becomes much easier when you know approximate grill times.
Use the cooking information in this guide to help remove the guesswork of how long to barbecue chicken.
Pay close attention to thickness, bone-in vs boneless, grill heat level and target temperature. Allowing chicken to properly rest also ensures tender, juicy meat.
In no time, you’ll be an expert at grilling moist, flavorful backyard chicken worthy of any barbecue enthusiast.