Although it is winter now, it is still a good time to host a BBQ party for your family, especially on Christmas. Hotdogs, hamburgers, and meat are all great variants for BBQs, but they grow old pretty fast. So, it might be time to spice up your BBQ routine by adding other assortments of meat like chicken! If you have never tried barbecuing a chicken before, then you are missing out! The taste is simply heavenly! That said, grilling poultry requires some finesse, as this delicate type of meat is prone to charing very fast. Want to enjoy juicy grilled chicken without burning up your house? Check out the next few tips and tricks.
Choose Fresh Chicken
Barbecuing a chicken to perfection does not only require you to know your way around a grill, but it also depends on the quality of poultry you go for. Because chicken will be at the front and center of your dish, you must ensure the quality of the chicken you are getting. If you are not sure how to tell whether a chicken is fresh or not, simply look at the color of its flesh. Grey, stiff flesh is a tell-tale sign that the chicken has been sitting around for a while. On the other hand, if it has a pink hue and a springy texture to it, then you are good to go. Of course, the odor can also be a good indicator of the quality of the chicken you are buying. Poultry usually reeks if it is stale, so you might want to smell it just to be sure.
Buy a Good Grill
You thought that getting tasty, barbecued chicken relies only on buying fresh ingredients and choosing the right marinade? Well, think again because your grill can also make all the difference! Of course, you do not have to go out of your way to buy a new grill if you already have one. However, in case you are in the market for one, the folks at Grill Smoke Love recommend that you go for a charcoal model for a unique taste. Just note that barbecuing your chicken will take more time if you are using a charcoal grill. You may also purchase a gas one for more heat control. Both options are amazing, but gas models cost more than charcoal ones, which is something you should keep in mind if on a tight budget.
What if you live in an apartment and do not have a backyard to use for barbecuing? In this case, definitely opt for an electric grill, as it is safer and more space-efficient than the other two variants when it comes to indoor BBQs.
Season the Chicken
You got your fresh chicken and fancy grill? Now, it is time to prepare the chicken for grilling! For a classic dish of barbecued chicken, you should coat the flesh with butter and add salt and pepper to taste. You may also add two cloves of garlic for an extra kick. On the other hand, if you are feeling adventurous and want to try something new, we recommend that you give our favorite special marinade a go. To make it, add two cups of ketchup and a tablespoon of each of the following: paprika, cumin, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Let the chicken marinate for 2 hours or overnight for a stronger flavor.
Moderate the Heat
As we’ve mentioned before, the chicken gets burnt to a crisp pretty quickly, so you need to keep an eye on your grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, place all the coal on one side and the chicken on the other to avoid exposing it to direct heat. You may turn the heat to low in case you have a gas or electric grill. Don’t also forget to flip your chicken to get a nice crisp on both sides. Generally speaking, barbecuing chicken can take up to two hours.
To be on the safe side, keep a thermometer at hand, and once the breast hits 160o-170o, take it off the grill. The other parts of the chicken may take a bit longer, but removing them when they hit 180 o-190 o usually garners the best results.
While chicken may not be a staple in classic American BBQs, they are a superb addition to any grill party. Even if you are a total noob when it comes to cooking, we guarantee that you will make the most delicious grilled chicken you have ever tasted by following our previous hacks! Just remember that chicken is very versatile, so play around with different sauces, like honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and lemon herb sauce to find your favorite!
