Mastering Thick Chicken Breasts On The Bbq

Cooking chicken breast on a BBQ can be tricky, but there are some simple steps you can follow to ensure your chicken is juicy and tender. Firstly, prepare your chicken by pounding it to an even thickness, which will help it cook evenly. Then, make a marinade with oil, acid, and seasonings, and leave the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if you can. Preheat your BBQ to a medium heat of around 400°F and ensure it's clean and oiled before placing your chicken on it. Cook the chicken for around 9-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through, and always check the internal temperature has reached 165°F before serving.

Marinating chicken

Ingredients

Use a marinade with a combination of fat, acid, and seasonings. For example, a marinade with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, try a marinade with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, cayenne, garlic, fresh parsley, and beer.

Timing

Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, leave the chicken to marinate for 4–5 hours or even overnight.

Preparation

Place the chicken in a large plastic zip-top bag and pour in the marinade, ensuring the chicken is fully covered. Massage the marinade into the meat and place the bag in a bowl in the refrigerator. Every few hours, turn the bag over to keep the chicken coated with the marinade.

Freezing

You can freeze chicken in a marinade. Place the chicken and marinade in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to cook the chicken, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Grill preparation

The first step to grilling chicken breasts is to prepare your grill. Preheat your grill to a medium to high heat—around 400-450°F. You'll want to ensure your grill is clean and well-heated to cook the best grilled chicken. Use a grill brush to scrape any remnants from previous cookouts off your grates so they're clean and ready to go.

If you're using a charcoal grill, you'll want to arrange the coals on one side of the grill, so you have a hot direct heat side and a cooler indirect heat side.

If you're using a gas grill, you can simply turn the burners down to a medium heat after the initial searing of the chicken.

Once your grill is preheated, brush some olive oil on the grill grates to prevent sticking.

Chicken breast cooking time

Preparation

Before you start grilling, you'll want to prepare your chicken and your grill.

Firstly, pat your chicken breasts dry with a clean paper towel. Then, place the chicken breasts in a 1-gallon freezer bag and pound them with a meat mallet until they are of an even thickness. This step is important as it helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents the thinner parts from drying out.

Next, you'll want to marinate your chicken. Marinating your chicken for 2-4 hours will ensure it is juicy and full of flavour. A great marinade should include fat (from oil or full-fat yoghurt), acid (from vinegar or citrus fruit) and seasonings (like spices and herbs). Place the chicken and the marinade in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag and store it in the fridge.

While your chicken is marinating, you can prepare your grill. Preheat your grill to 400 degrees F and use a grill brush to brush off any leftover bits from previous grilling.

Cooking

Once your chicken is ready and your grill is preheated, you can place your chicken breasts on the grill. Make sure the lid of your grill is closed while your chicken is cooking so that no heat escapes.

Cook your chicken breast on the grill for 6-8 minutes on one side. After this, flip your chicken breast with tongs and cook for another 6-8 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

It is important to check that your chicken is cooked properly. To do this, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken breast. When the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, your chicken is done.

Resting

Once your chicken is cooked, transfer it to a clean plate or cutting board and cover it with foil to seal in the juices. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it. This will ensure your chicken is juicy.

Chicken breast cooking temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken breasts is between 425 and 450°F. This temperature range will ensure your chicken is cooked through evenly, with a juicy, tender interior and a nicely charred exterior.

Chicken breasts are lean, so they can easily dry out and become rubbery. To avoid this, it's important to monitor the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the breast should reach 165°F.

Preparing the Grill

Before placing the chicken on the grill, preheat it to a high heat of 425-450°F. Use a grill brush to scrape off any remnants from previous cookouts, ensuring the grates are clean.

Cooking the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts on the pre-heated grill over direct medium heat. Insert a meat probe into the chicken to monitor the internal temperature. Grill for around 9-10 minutes, flipping the breasts halfway through to create an even sear on each side.

Once the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to settle, ensuring your chicken stays tender and juicy.

Tips for Juicy Chicken Breasts

• Brine the chicken for at least 15 minutes before grilling. This will add moisture and flavour, resulting in a tender, juicy breast.
• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for a fuller flavour. Avoid marinades with high levels of acid, as this can give the exterior a leathery texture.
• Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of ½ inch. This will ensure the meat cooks evenly, preventing the thinner parts from drying out.
• Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes after removing it from the grill. Tenting it with foil will help retain heat and moisture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. This is the most accurate way to determine if your chicken is cooked through.

Resting the chicken

After removing the chicken from the grill, cover it with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. During this time, the internal temperature of the chicken will continue to rise, so it's important not to cut into the chicken right away. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F before serving, which is considered safe to eat.

If you're cooking multiple chicken breasts, it's best to transfer them to a platter or cutting board and cover them with foil to rest. This will help keep them warm and allow the juices to redistribute evenly.

Frequently asked questions