What Factors Can Impact Whether Or Not Grilled Chicken Is Done?

As someone who enjoys grilling, I understand how important it is to get your grilled chicken just perfect. But how to know when grilled chicken is done?

It’s a common question that many grillers struggle with. Fortunately, you can easily tell when your grilled chicken is done with a little knowledge and a good meat thermometer.

In this grillcuisines.com, I’ll walk you through:

• Why Knowing When Grilled Chicken is Done is Important

• Different methods to check if your grilled chicken is done

• Tips for grilling chicken to perfection and much more!

Why Knowing When Grilled Chicken is Done is Important

There are different methods to check if your grilled chicken is done. But first, let’s discuss why it’s critical to ensure that grilled chicken is cooked to perfection. There are several reasons why ensuring your chicken is fully cooked is crucial:

1- Food safety concerns:

When chicken is not fully cooked, it can cause foodborne illnesses. Because it can contain harmful bacteria like salmonella and campylobacter.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 6 Americans gets sick from foodborne illnesses each year.
Poultry is a common source of these illnesses. In fact, the primary source of salmonella illnesses in the United States is raw and undercooked poultry.

Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps are some of the common symptoms of foodborne infections.

2- Quality and taste of the chicken

Undercooked chicken may be dangerous and unpleasant in texture and flavor. It may have a rubbery or slimy texture and a bland taste.
While overcooked chicken is tough and dry which is not appetizing at all. It’s important to make sure your chicken is cooked to the correct temperature and is juicy and tasty. It is not only safer but also more fun to eat.

Related >> Chicken Temperature Chart And Time (Tips & Chart)

How To Know When Grilled Chicken Is Done

There are two main methods to check if your grilled chicken is done: visual cues and using a meat thermometer.

Visual Cues for Checking if Grilled Chicken is Done

One way to check if your grilled chicken is done is by using visual cues. Here are the two main visual cues to look for:

1- Color of the meat

You can check whether or not your chicken is fully cooked by just looking at the color of the meat. According to the USDA, the cooked chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F, which will result in the meat being fully white, with no pink or red.

This applies to all parts of the chicken except for the dark meat, which may still be slightly pink even when fully cooked. Dark meat, such as chicken thighs and legs, contains more myoglobin than white meat, which can make them appear pink even when fully cooked. To ensure the dark meat is fully cooked, check for firmness.

2- Firmness of the meat

The firmness of the meat can also indicate whether or not your chicken is fully cooked. The cooked chicken should be firm to the touch and not feel rubbery or spongy. To test the firmness of the meat, you can use two methods:

— Press test: Use tongs or a fork to press down on the thickest part of the chicken. If the chicken feels firm and springs back, it’s likely fully cooked. If it feels soft and squishy, it needs more time on the grill.

–Resistance test: Use a knife or fork to cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the meat is white with no pink or red, and the juices run clear, it’s fully cooked. If the meat is still pink or red, or the juices are cloudy, it needs more time on the grill.

Skip The Guess Work And Use a Meat Thermometer to Check if Grilled Chicken Cooking Temp

While visual cues can be helpful but, using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to ensure your chicken is safe to eat.

In my experience, one of the easiest and most reliable ways to determine if your grilled chicken is done is using a meat thermometer.
A meat thermometer will measure the internal temperature of the chicken, which will guide you on whether the chicken has reached a safe temperature for consumption.
The recommended grilled chicken temperature is 165°F (74°C). By using a meat thermometer You can simply avoid the guesswork and visual cues and ensure that your chicken is cooked to perfection every time.

If you love to grill often you should have a meat thermometer at home. You can easily check your meat and grilled chicken cooking temp.

There are several types of meat thermometers available, including instant-read, digital, and probe thermometers.
Instant-read thermometers provide quick readings and are ideal for checking the temperature of thinner cuts of meat.

If you constantly want to check the temperature of meat like brisket, turkey probe thermometers are best. They will remain in the meat while it cooks and provides you with continuous temperature readings.
Digital thermometers are also available and provide accurate temperature readings in just a few seconds.

Here are three highly rated meat thermometers available:

ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer

This thermometer provides quick and accurate temperature readings in just a few seconds and has a long probe for easy insertion into thick cuts of meat.

Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer

This thermometer is also an instant read and provides readings within 2-3 seconds. It has a waterproof design and can be easily calibrated for accurate readings every time.

Weber iGrill Mini Bluetooth Thermometer

This thermometer is designed to be used with a mobile app and provides continuous temperature readings for monitoring your meat from a distance. It has a great range and a temperature range of up to 572°F (300°C).

Investing in a good meat thermometer can make all the difference in the quality and safety of your grilled chicken and other meats. This is a small investment and it can have a big impact on your cooking and your health.

Here are the steps on how to use a meat thermometer to check your grilled chicken cooking temp:

1- Insert the thermometer:

First, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure the tip is in the center of the meat.

2- Wait for the reading:

Wait for the thermometer to give a reading. Chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F to be considered fully cooked and safe to eat.

3- Check multiple spots:

If you’re grilling larger cuts of chicken, like a whole chicken or a chicken breast, it’s a good idea to check the temperature in multiple spots to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked throughout.

What Factors Can Impact Whether Or Not Grilled Chicken Is Done?

It is important to know the proper internal temperature of your grilled chicken. But there are many other factors that can impact whether or not your chicken is fully cooked. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

Grill Temperature:

How quickly your chicken cooks can be affected by the temperature of your grill. If your grill is excessively hot, your chicken may overcook on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside. In contrast, if your grill is too cool, your chicken may take longer to cook and may dry out.

Chicken Thickness:

The length of time it takes to cook your chicken also depends on its thickness. Thicker cuts of chicken will take longer to cook, while thinner cuts will cook more quickly. It’s important to adjust your cooking time and temperature based on the thickness of your chicken.

Bone-In vs. Boneless Chicken:

Bone-in chicken has bones and it will take longer to cook than boneless chicken. Make sure to adjust your cooking time accordingly based on whether or not your chicken is bone-in.

Chicken Starting Temperature:

The temperature of your chicken, when you put it on the grill, can impact how long it takes to cook. If your chicken is cold or frozen when you start grilling, it will take longer to cook than if it is at room temperature.

Always let your chicken come to room temperature before grilling.

Grill Lid:

The use of a grill lid might affect how quickly your chicken cooks. Keeping the grill lid closed creates a more equal cooking environment, but it also causes the chicken to cook faster. When you are keeping the grill lid closed, keep an eye on your chicken to check that it is not overcooked.

Related > >Is It Better To Grill With The Grill Lid On Or off

By keeping these factors in mind, you can ensure that your grilled chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat. Adjust your cooking time and temperature based on these factors to achieve perfectly grilled chicken every time.

How Long Does Grilled Chicken Take?

As I have mentioned earlier that how long grilled chicken takes to cook varies based on various factors, including the thickness of the chicken, the temperature of the grill, and whether the chicken is bone-in or boneless.

As a general rule of thumb, boneless chicken breasts typically take around 6-8 minutes per side on a medium-high heat grill. Thicker cuts of chicken, such as bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks, may take closer to 10-12 minutes per side.
To make it easier, I’ve put together a table with approximate cooking times for different types of chicken on charcoal, gas, and pellet grills:

Type of Chicken	Charcoal Grill	Gas Grill	Pellet Grill
Whole Chicken	50 minutes -1.5	1.25 – 1.5 hours	1.5 – 2 hours
Chicken Breasts (boneless)	6-8 minutes per side	5-7 minutes per side	6-8 minutes per side
Chicken Thighs (bone-in)	10-12 minutes per side	8-10 minutes per side	10-12 minutes per side
Chicken Wings	10-12 minutes per side	8-10 minutes per side	10-12 minutes per side

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
How long to grill chicken breast: 5 to 6 minutes per side
Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F)
Best Method: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F

Chicken Tenders
Time: 2 to 3 minutes per side
Temperature: Medium-high (375˚F
Best Method: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F

Chicken Wings
Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Temperature: Medium (350˚F)
Best Method: Cook over direct heat and turn regularly (3 minutes on each side until 165˚F)

Drumsticks
Time: 30 minutes
Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat, and rotate every few minutes until 165˚F

Related >> How Long To Boil Chicken Drumsticks? (FOR SOUP, GRILLING, FRYING)

Thighs (Bone-In)
Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Temperature: Medium-high (400˚F) for direct heat, medium-low (300˚F) for indirect heat
Best technique: Sear the chicken skin side down over direct heat for about three minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and sear for another three minutes; transfer to indirect heat and continue grilling, rotating, and flipping regularly, until 165°F.

Boneless Skinless Thighs
Time: 7 to 8 minutes per side
Temperature: Medium-high (375˚F)
Best technique: Cook over direct heat until 165˚F

Whole Chicken
Time: 50 minutes
Temperature: Medium-high (375˚F)

Remember, these are just rough estimates and your actual cooking time may vary based on the factors we discussed earlier. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken reaches the proper internal temperature and is fully cooked before serving.

Tips for Grilling Chicken to Perfection

Now that you know how to determine when your grilled chicken is done, let’s talk about some tips for grilling chicken to perfection:

— Use a meat thermometer: As we mentioned earlier, using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked. Invest in a good meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is safe to eat.

— Preheat your grill: Make sure to preheat your grill before adding your chicken. This will help prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

— Marinate your chicken: Marinating your chicken can add flavor and help keep it moist during grilling. You can marinate your chicken for as little as 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

— Use indirect heat: Using indirect heat can help prevent your chicken from drying out. To use indirect heat, simply place your chicken on the cooler side of the grill, away from the direct flames.

— Let your chicken rest: Once your chicken is fully cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier and more tender chicken.

Conclusion: how to know when grilled chicken is done

Knowing when your grilled chicken is done is crucial for both food safety and taste. Use visual cues and a meat thermometer to check the grilled chicken temperature, and follow follow tips for grilling chicken to perfection. With a bit of practice and attention, you’ll be grilling juicy and delicious chicken in no time. Happy grilling!

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