These Grilled Chicken Recipes Might Utterly Revolutionize Your Cookouts (2024)

FAQs

Why is grilled chicken so good? ›

Grilled chicken typically provides a nice char, which gives the poultry more flavor and texture compared to baking or sauteing. It's especially nice during the warmer months because you get some fresh air — and the technique prevents the house from being overwhelmed with cooking odors.

"There's fat in the bone that's going to melt and keep the meat moist, and it'll also provide a lot more flavor," Wilschke notes. Keeping the skin on the meat helps keep it moist; as the skin chars its fat melts into the meat. But if you prefer chicken breasts, Wilschke suggests butterflying them.

Place the chicken skin-side up on the cooler part of the grill. Position the thighs and drumsticks closer to the flames and put the wings and breasts further away. Wings and breasts cook faster and can dry out or burn. Close the lid and cook for about 15 minutes.

Now, if you do happen to overcook your chicken breasts — don't sweat it. The best way to save them is to reintroduce moisture, which means whipping up a buttery pan sauce or a silky yogurt sauce.

Can I eat chicken everyday? Absolutely. Grilled or baked chicken throughout the week is the suggested way to prepare chicken. You can make simple, healthy chicken dinners, served over a salad of mixed greens, or mixed with peppers and onions for fajitas.

Its proprietary cooking surface has a big impact on both taste and texture. Unlike your grill at home, it cooks both sides of the chicken at the same time, so it's done quickly. And like your grill at home, it leaves actual grill marks on the chicken, which add to the experience.

Overcooking might play a role in your chicken's tire-like texture. Leaving chicken in a pan, oven, or grill for just a little too long can suck the moisture right out and leave you with a dry, rubbery bird. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

Chicken is a protein powerhouse, so it shouldn't be surprising that the white stuff coming out of chicken as it cooks is exactly that: protein! According to chicken farmer Paul Greive, founder of Pasturebird, this naturally occurring, water-soluble protein is called albumin.

Start with a very light coating of olive oil on the chicken to keep it from sticking to the grill. Once it has started cooking, apply your basting mixture with a silicone brush or baster. Flip the chicken and allow it to cook a bit longer before basting the other side.

How to keep grilled chicken juicy? ›

All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out.

Chicken thighs and legs will hold up better to long, slow cooking than will breasts, which can more easily dry out. If you barbecue breasts, keep them on the coolest part of the grill or follow this method.

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don't overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.

Grilled Chicken is better for the body because it loses its fat during the cooking process. The fat will drip off the meat during the cooking process. This cooking method also provides iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc to the consumer. Frying chicken will cause it to lose these essential vitamins.

Yes, Chicken Can Help You Build Muscle Mass

Chicken gets the most points because it's versatile, low in fat and inexpensive. While you can eat most parts of the chicken, nutritionists suggest eating the breasts because they have less saturated fat and calories.

Unlike other cooking methods that may strip away essential nutrients, grilling chicken helps it retain its nutritional value. Chicken is a rich source of lean protein, which is vital for muscle growth and repair. The high heat and short cook time from grilling chicken ensures this protein remains intact.

Further Health Implications of Grilled Chicken

When consumed as part of a healthy diet, grilled chicken can have many other health benefits alongside being a superfood rich in protein.