How to Grill Chicken in 4 Easy Steps
Grilling chicken is not difficult, but you need to know a few things if you want that delicious, juicy inner.
After reading our expert guide, you’ll definitely be able to whip this up for your next weekend dinner or backyard gathering!
Grilling Chicken in 4 Steps
This is how to grill chicken breast fillet in 4 easy steps.
Optional Step: Beat Chicken
To do this, put the chicken breast in a Ziploc bag, and beat it with a mallet until it’s an even thickness throughout. This should help to make the chicken breast more level for an even sear.
Step 1: Marinate Chicken
You can use any recipe you like!
Most marinades are a combination of olive oil, vinegar (balsamic or red wine vinegar are great choices), garlic, and spices. Sometimes they add in lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, and in some, sugar.
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before grilling. We do not recommend you exceed 4 hours.
Don’t want to marinade your chicken? Check the FAQs below to find out how to brine it instead!
Step 2: Prepare the Grill
Preheat the grill to a medium to high heat and you should be ready to grill!
Make sure the temperature is at a medium while you’re grilling.
Step 3: Grill Chicken
Place the chicken breast on the grill, and once the underside of the chicken has browned, flip it over.
Take it off the grill once the internal temperature reaches 165°F or until there is no more pink left, which you can check by cutting the chicken. The exterior of the chicken should be beautifully browned.
Step 4: Serve Chicken
Let the chicken rest out of the grill for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This is so that the juices don’t rush out when you slice it, and the chicken remains juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do You Cook Chicken on the Grill?
It usually takes around 10 minutes for an average sized chicken breast fillet to cook on the grill, flipping at the halfpoint.
But the most important part is not the time, but how cooked it is. So make sure the surface is nicely browned and the inside is completely white.
How Hot Should the Grill Be?
If the heat you use is too high, then the skin will burn before the inside is cooked.
So the best temperature to use for grilling chicken would be medium to low heat on a charcoal grill, and medium on a gas grill.
How Do You Grill Chicken Without Marinade?
The simplest way to do this is to brine your chicken. Doing this is simple, you just need to soak the chicken in 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups of water for 30 minutes.
This is a great way to keep your chicken from drying out if you don’t want to use marinade.
Please do not substitute kosher salt for table salt [1], because of the difference in the size of their granules. If you use table salt, your chicken will come out too salty!
Should I Cover The Chicken While Grilling?
If your grill has a cover, covering is recommended, as it will help to make the chicken cook more evenly. If you're searching for one, we reviewed the best grill covers that you can buy.
Another bonus to doing this, is that since it cuts off some oxygen, there will be less flare ups.
Though if you don’t have a cover, then it is not the end of the world!
Time to Grill Some Delicious Chicken!
Before you grill your chicken, here are some important points to remember.
- Remember to not make the heat of the grill too high, as chicken has to be well cooked throughout.
- When it comes to chicken, it has to be cooked well. It is not safe to eat if it is still pink.
- If there is still blood or pinkishness in the chicken when you slice it, there is no harm in putting it back on the grill.
- Chicken dries easily, so marinating it or putting it in a brine is an important step.
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