How To Grill Chicken Breast On Charcoal Grill

Do You Grill Chicken Over Direct Or Indirect Fire

Grilled Chicken Breast on a Weber Kettle Grill

Put the chicken on direct heat. Boil on each side for about 6 minutes, or until you see the desired crust, then over the indirect fire to finish cooking, turning each piece occasionally. Continue cooking until the internal temperature is 160 to 162 degrees F, measured on an instant reading thermometer.

Prep Your Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts right out of the package are usually not very uniform in thickness, so you will need to do a bit of prep work to get them ready for the grill. I typically cut each chicken breast about 2/3 of the way down, or wherever the breasts starts to get thinner.

Then, I take the fatter part of the breast and cut it in half lengthwise kind of like butterflying it, but cutting all the way through the meat to make two separate pieces. So, each whole chicken breast should be cut into 3 pieces .

This method should give you chicken breast pieces that are uniform in size so that all of the pieces will cook pretty evenly on the charcoal grill. Also, by cutting your chicken breasts instead of marinating them whole, youre creating more surface area for the marinade, which will give your grilled chicken more flavor.

Did You Make This Recipe

This post originally appeared in August 2016 and was revised and republished in April 2021.
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  • About Christine

    Hi! Im Christine. My passion is creating recipes that take less time in the kitchen, so that we can all spend more time enjoying life! Im a busy single mom of two, so I totally get how tough it can be. Thats why Ive been figuring things out for my own family, and thats why I want to share this knowledge with others. I now help over 2 million people a month get delicious meals onto their tables. Come along with me and see how much easier it can be!

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    How To Grill Chicken On A Charcoal Grill Do It The Right Way

    rilled chicken is a summer necessity. No backyard barbecue is complete without delicious grilled chicken, from savory thighs to spicy drumsticks.If youre new to grilling, chicken is a great place to start. Its simple and easy, perfect for casual enthusiasts and pitmasters alike.Chicken is a canvas for flavor. Its mild taste makes it great for a variety of dishes. You can grill it with a simple salt and pepper blend, cook it with barbecue sauce, or create your own unique spice blend.

    Regardless of which seasoning you prefer, you can vastly improve the taste if you know how to grill chicken on a charcoal grill the right way. By going beyond the basics, you can make your next grilled chicken recipe one to remember.In this guide, well talk about our favorite tips for grilling chicken on a charcoal grill. Whether youre new to grilling or a seasoned expert, these tips will help you cook juicy, tender chicken your friends and family will love.Lets dive in.

    Pound Boneless Chicken Breasts Before You Grill

    How to grill chicken breasts perfectly every time

    Unless you buy tenderloins, chicken breasts are fairly uneven. When you grill them, the unevenness means one end cooks faster than the other. If you dont address it, your meat could be dry or stringy in some areas.If you pound your chicken breasts beforehand, you can avoid uneven cooking. Pounding your chicken breasts will flatten them out, correcting the uneven shape.When you flatten your chicken, itll cook more similarly to a steak. Youll have more control over the internal temperature and you can avoid drying it out.

    Read Also: Propane Grill Hamburgers

    The Days Of Dull Dry Chicken Are Over Learn How To Grill Chicken Breast For The Easiest Summer Dinner

    If youve never experienced a dry chicken breast, Im truly jealous. Biting into a grilled chicken sandwich or protein-packed salad and instead of that wonderfulness, tasting a dull, chalky chunk of chicken is just sad. Unfortunately, turning out tasteless poultry is a common problem, especially among new cooks. Chicken is a delicate protein that dries out fast. One minute too long on the heat can take the bird from tender and juicy to boring and blah.

    But with a few simple tips from our Test Kitchen, you dont need to worry about making dry chicken again. Well show you how to grill chicken and keep it perfectly juicy and ready for salads, sandwiches and more. Learning how to make grilled chicken has never been so easy!

    What Should The Grill Temperature Be For The Chicken

    Preheat the gas grill to medium to high heat or 350-400°F before cooking. Lightly grease the grill surface and add the chicken. Close the lid and cook for 8 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown with scorch marks. Turn chicken over, close lid, reduce heat to medium and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

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    How Do You Tenderize Grilled Chicken Breast

    Mix up a marinade, dry rub or brine. Unless glazing with a barbecue sauce, always season your chicken, whether its boneless breasts or the whole bird. Wet marinades, dry rubs and brines all add flavor and moisture to chicken breasts and can also act as a tenderizer.

    Dont Be Afraid To Stick A Thermometer In A Brat

    Chicken Breasts on a Weber Kettle (3 easy marinade recipes) – Best Charcoal Grilled Chicken

    People are terrified of undercooked brats, viewing them as tubes of pestilence and famine. They compensate by going nuclear on them and serving them as gross, charred logs. Its a travesty.

    High heat is actually a brats enemy, since it chars the outside while hiding an undercooked inside. On charcoal, brats should be relegated to the cooler side of the grill, or the outside rim. And if you really want to maximize the flavor, opt for a digital thermometer. It might make the grill look like a urology-based horror movie on SyFy, but it will result in the best brats you can serve.

    Most people way overcook their brats, and as a result the casings are tough and its dry in the center. If you take a thermometer and stick it in the end, you will be shocked at how quickly it reaches 155, says Meathead. You dont have to overcook it: all the bugs are dead at 155 degrees. Nobodys home. Thermometer, thermometer, thermometer, thermometer I cant say it enough times. If you have a digital thermometer, you dont need to cook it to 156 . You dont need to take it to 170. At 155, youre safe. Take it home.

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    Grilling The Stuffed Chicken Breasts

    Prepare your grill for medium high heat. I think the safest way to cook large chicken breasts is to do most of the cooking over indirect heat. Once the breasts are almost cooked move them directly over the coals to finish cooking.

    Depending on how big your chicken is, it might take about 20-25 minutes to cook. Then you can sear the chicken breast over direct heat to finish.

    After 15 or so minutes of indirect heat cooking take the internal temperature of the chicken. Once the chicken breast are almost fully cooked begin to brush on your BBQ sauce so it can sear into the chicken.

    Grill over direct heat just long enough for the sauce to caramelize. Then remove before the sauce burns.

    If you are cooking on a propane grill the indirect/direct heat set up can be created by turning off one burner. . Then searing over the turned on burners .

    Let the breasts rest for a couple of minutes so the cheese can cool. Otherwise the filling will just melt right out.

    Slice the chicken breasts and serve alongside you favorite side dishes or serve it whole on a bun as a sandwich.

    How To Cook Bbq Chicken On The Grill

    Prepare clean grill grates to minimize sticking and preheat the grill at 400-450°F. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive or canola oil and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the breasts on the hot grill grates and cook for 4-6 minutes with the lid closed. If the chicken sticks to the grill grate, let it cook a minute more before trying to flip again. Cook on the second side for another 4-5 minutes. Baste with your favorite BBQ sauce, flip, and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Repeat on the other side side. The chicken is done when the internal temp is 160°F and the juices run clear. Let the chicken rest a few minutes for the temp to raise to 165°F and the juices to settle before serving.

    Read Also: What Temp Should I Grill Chicken Breast

    Dress Your Boneless Chicken Breasts Up

    Once you have grilled evenly cooked and moist boneless chicken breasts, you can decorate it with sauce. You can choose from several different sauces, such as arugula pesto or cheese or any other type of sauce you like.

    You can top the boneless chicken breasts with mango and habanero barbecue sauce, chimichurri, and cilantro pesto. You can even create an intense brine that will add flavor to the boneless chicken breasts. You can then create a nice spice rub or an apple brine.

    Whats The Difference Between Grilling And Barbecue

    Charcoal Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe

    Whats meant by bbq chicken? Is it grilled or is it barbecue? And what the bid dif? The difference between barbecued chicken and grilled chicken is largely a difference in symanticsand where you position the lid.

    BBQ chicken is cooked with the lid of the grill closed to create an oven effect, so the heat circulates around the protein and cooks slower from all sides. Grilling is cooking with the lid open and over a higher, more direct heat source. Thats where youll get that sear so delicious on steaks and burgers.

    But when youre using on BBQ sauce on chicken, a hot, direct heat source is NOT what you want. Unless you like your BBQ chicken barbecue sauce charred and burned.

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    Never Again Worry About Ruining A Meal By Over Or Under Cooking

    Stay safe Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken on the grill. This is one of the models I recommend:

    UPGRADED MODEL NOW WITH MAGNET AND CALIBRATION FEATURE.

    Best Ultra Fast Digital Kitchen Probe.

    Includes Internal BBQ Meat Temperature Guide.

    Sunny’s Hot Honey Brined & Grilled Chicken

    Cheat the marinade: Seasoned pickle juice makes a great brine or quick marinade when mixed with oil. Leftover vinaigrette or even bottled vinaigrettes are very good, too. Just be sure to read the labels sugar can burn quickly, so pay attention when grilling.

    Glaze: Love a sticky, slightly sweet, caramelized glaze on your chicken? Brush barbecue sauce on about 2 to 3 minutes before the chicken is done. That way the meat doesn’t overcook and the glaze doesn’t burn. Don’t have any sauce? No problem. Just mix some apricot jam, a squirt of ketchup, a shot of bourbon and dash of chipotle powder for an almostinstant substitute.

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    How Do You Cook Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast On A Weber Charcoal Grill

    Grill the chicken breasts over direct medium heat, with the lid closed, until the meat is firm to the touch and no longer pink in the center, 8 to 12 minutes, turning once or twice. Remove your now fully grilled boneless chicken breasts from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve warm.

    Select The Right Heat Level

    Grilling For 2: Charcoal Grilled Lemon, Garlic & Herb Chicken on Weber Grill

    Cook the boneless and skinless chicken breasts over high heat to allow them to retain their moisture. If you are grilling chicken breasts on the bone or large chicken breasts that have not been pounded will need to be grilled over medium-high heat. They will be cooked slowly, so the outside of the chicken breasts does not burn while the inside of the meat reaches its desired temperature.

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    How Long To Cook Bbq Chicken

    Whether you cook this BBQ chicken on the grill or in the oven, youll want to cook the chicken nearly all the way through before adding the BBQ sauce at the end. Sauces like BBQ sauce contain a fair amount of sugar that can easily burn. Adding the sauce at the end and searing quickly minimizes the chance of it burning.

    How To: Chicken Kabobs

    • When its Done:
    • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
    • Zucchini
    • Cook time: 15 minutes
    • Servings: 12

    Skewers of tender marinated chicken and fresh vegetables cooked on a charcoal grill is a treat in cultures all over the world. The key to getting it right every time: a two-zone fire. For these chicken skewers, you can use the lighter white meat from the chicken breast or the more flavorful, juicy meat from the chicken thigh. Either works wellbut its best not to combine the two different meats on a single skewer, as they cook at different rates. Heres how to make the perfect chicken kabobs in just seven steps.

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    Brine Your Boneless Chicken Breasts For Additional Moisture

    Brining your boneless chicken breasts will prevent them from drying out too much. When you salt the meat, it will change the protein and retain the moisture during grilling. This ensures that your boneless chicken breasts will remain juicy even if they are slightly overdone. You need to brine your chicken for about 30 minutes. Turn your charcoal grill up to heat it while the chicken is brining.

    Should You Use Wet Brine or Dry Brine?

    • Wet Brine Dissolve salt in water, add the boneless chicken breasts to them, and soak them. Wet brine will plump the chicken breasts and make the meat juicier. The disadvantage is that your meat will be less flavorful, and increased moisture slows down browning.
    • Dry Brine Sprinkle salt over the boneless chicken breasts and allow the meat to rest for at least an hour. This salt will enter the meat. If you are trying the dry brine, do not cover it and place it on a wire rack on top of the rimmed baking sheet for maximum air circulation around the entire meat.

    Dry brine allows the chicken to maintain its natural moisture, but the meat will not be very juicy or plump but still moist enough. It will also have a deep chicken flavor and will easily brown due to the surface drying during the dry brining.

    The method you choose to brine your boneless chicken breasts depends on your preference. Most people prefer dry brining over wet brining, but you can try both to see which one you like better.

    Remove Charcoal Grilled Chicken Breasts From The Grill And Let Them Rest Before Serving

    Chicken Breasts On The Grill Stock Photo

    Just like any grilled meat, you should let your grilled chicken breasts rest before cutting into them. A good 5-10 minutes should be fine.

    Then, you can serve your charcoal grilled chicken breasts as is with your favorite side dishes, or add the chicken to salads, wraps, sandwiches, etc.

    If youre going to grill a bunch of chicken breasts at one time to use throughout the week, then let the chicken cool down completely before refrigerating in a Ziploc bag. Your charcoal grilled chicken breasts should stay good for a week in the refrigerator.

    Want a different way to cook chicken for the week? Try my Whole Smoked Chicken on a Charcoal Grill. Another great, cheap recipe for easy weeknight meals!

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    How Do You Cook Boneless Chicken Breasts On The Grill

    Place the chicken bone side down on the hottest side of the grill and cook for 4 to 6 minutes until golden brown. Then brush the skin side of the chicken with the glaze. 8. Turn chicken over and continue cooking until golden brown and instant thermometer inserted into thickest part reads 160 degrees, 2 to 3 minutes more.

    How To Grill Chicken Breast On A Gas Grill

    • Coat both sides of chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper or desired seasonings. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
    • Preheat gas grill before cooking to medium-high heat, or 350-400° F.
    • Lightly grease grill surface and add chicken. Close lid and cook 8 minutes, or until bottoms are browned with sear marks.
    • Rotate chicken, close lid, reduce heat to medium, and cook 7-10 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches 165° F.
    • Remove chicken breast from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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    Charcoal Grilled Bbq Chicken Breast Recipe

    BBQ Chicken on the Weber Summit Charcoal

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    Home » Recipes » Charcoal Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe

    This recipe for Charcoal-Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe turned out better than I expected! It was delicious and juicy! Its easy to ruin a good chicken recipe by overcooking it. When chicken is cooked to perfection the internal temperature will be 165 degrees. Use an instant read thermometer for the perfect Grilled BBQ Chicken.

    Not only did this recipe taste delicious, it can also save you time and money. Lets break out the charcoal grill and get started!

    My husband is an advocate for charcoal grilling. Not only does the food taste better, charcoal, lump charcoal to be exact is eco-friendly. We dont use any lighter fluids or chemically treated charcoal in our grill.

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