Grilling chicken on a charcoal grill is one of the best ways to enjoy smoky, juicy, and flavorful poultry that’s hard to beat. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned griller, mastering the art of cooking chicken over charcoal can elevate your backyard cookouts to a whole new level. Let’s dive into how you can cook chicken on a charcoal grill with simple steps and expert tips to get that perfect char and juicy bite every time.
Preparing Your Chicken for the Grill
Before you even light the charcoal, preparation is key.
– Choose the right chicken: Fresh, high-quality chicken-whether breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or a whole chicken-makes a big difference in flavor and texture.
– Pat it dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture from the chicken skin to help it crisp up nicely on the grill.
– Season generously: Use your favorite dry rub, marinade, or simply salt and pepper. A good rub with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper works wonders. Olive oil helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
Lighting and Preparing Your Charcoal Grill
Getting the charcoal ready is an essential step to cooking chicken perfectly.
– Arrange the charcoal: Pile the charcoal in a mound or use a chimney starter for even lighting.
– Light the charcoal: Use a chimney starter or lighter fluid according to the charcoal instructions. Wait until the coals are covered with white ash, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
– Set up for indirect heat: Push the hot coals to one side of the grill to create a two-zone fire-direct heat for searing and indirect heat for cooking through without burning.
Cooking Chicken on the Charcoal Grill
For Chicken Pieces (Breasts, Thighs, Drumsticks)
- Sear over direct heat: Place the chicken pieces directly over the hottest part of the grill and sear for 3-5 minutes per side to get a nice golden-brown crust.
- Move to indirect heat: After searing, move the chicken to the cooler side of the grill. Close the lid to cook through gently, maintaining a grill temperature around 350-450°F (175-230°C).
- Use a meat thermometer: Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures safety and juiciness.
- Baste if desired: During the last 10 minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with barbecue sauce or marinade for extra flavor and a sticky glaze.
- Let it rest: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving.
For a Whole Chicken
Grilling a whole chicken on charcoal is a showstopper and surprisingly simple.
– Butterfly the chicken: Cut out the backbone to flatten the bird for even cooking.
– Season well: Rub the chicken with oil and your favorite spices or BBQ rub.
– Set up indirect heat: Place the charcoal on one side of the grill.
– Cook skin-side up first: Place the chicken on the cooler side of the grill, skin-side up, and cook until the internal temperature is about 135°F (57°C).
– Flip for crispy skin: Move the chicken directly over the coals, skin-side down, to crisp the skin until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
– Rest before slicing: Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before cutting to keep it juicy.
Tips for Perfect Charcoal-Grilled Chicken
– Don’t rush the process: Slow and steady cooking over moderate heat prevents burnt skin and undercooked meat.
– Preheat the grill: Let your grill get hot before placing the chicken on it.
– Keep the lid closed: This traps heat and smoke, cooking the chicken evenly and infusing smoky flavors.
– Use wood chips: Adding soaked wood chips to the charcoal can add delightful smoky notes to your chicken.
– Clean and oil the grill grates: Prevents sticking and helps achieve those beautiful grill marks.
– Take the chill off the chicken: Let chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before grilling to cook more evenly.
Final Thoughts
Cooking chicken on a charcoal grill is all about balancing heat, timing, and seasoning. With these easy steps and tips, you’ll be grilling juicy, flavorful chicken that’s crispy on the outside and tender inside every time. Fire up that charcoal and enjoy the unbeatable taste of grilled chicken!