Cooking boneless chicken breasts is seen as one of the easiest bbq skills to master. But slow down there, my grilling friend. There are a few tips that will help turn you from BBQ fan to BBQ pro. Here’s how to grill chicken on a gas grill.
Grilled chicken recipes have long been a staple in our household. It’s my favorite meat to cook in some way, with it taking center place in some of my best BBQ recipes. My fondest memories of summer involve cooking up beautiful chicken breasts on our terrace.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love grilled burgers and steaks, but neither come close to chicken for me. Whether it’s simple chicken burgers or elaborate kebabs, there’s a great grilled chicken recipe for any meat-eater.
But grilling chicken is something that isn’t as easy as it looks. They can dry out really quickly, which is enough to leave any BBQ party flat.
Chicken can easily be cooked on a gas grill at 425°F/220°C. Just grill for 5 minutes on each side, or until the meat’s internal temperature hits 165°F/75°C.
The secret to a perfectly grilled chicken doesn’t just lie in its time on the grill, but also the preparation time before. With pre-seasoning and brining as crucial a step as any.
Here’s my step-by-step guide to show you how to grill chicken on a gas grill.
Choose skinless organic chicken breast
While everyone has their favorite type of chicken cut – personally, I’m more of a wings fan (the cut, not the band) – today we’re specifically cooking with chicken breast.
Chicken breast’s boneless meat makes it easy to cook, and goes brilliantly either just as a side or as part of a burger. It is true that the larger the food, the longer it will take to cook, however I think that give so much more flexibility with what you actually use them for.
When it comes to picking your breast, try to pick organic. Not only are there clear ethical reasons behind buying organic chicken meat, but organic meat is always far superior in quality.
Organic chicken meat often has a far better texture and quality of taste than non-organic varieties.
Also try to buy skinless. The meat in chicken breast is generally very lean, but the skin can contain layers of fat that can render and turn greasy when cooked on the grill.
Prepare with a meat pounder
With a rolling pen or meat pounder, gently pound the chicken on a counter or table surface. Do this until they’re about half an inch thick across the breast. Do this for each breast.
Why do we do this? Well like with a lot of cooking methods, one of grilling’s biggest challenges is cooking meat evenly through. If we make our meat uniform in thickness then we help prevent the issue, while also making it easier to eat and cut.
Brine for 30 minutes
Now to start the brine. This process will help keep the breasts moist and will enable them to beautifully caramelise on the grill.
Add one part salt, one part sugar and eight parts water to a pan. Combine as best as possible.
Remove the chicken from the plastic bags and carefully place in the pan. Transfer the pan to your refrigerator and leave for half an hour. Do not refrigerate for any longer than this.
If you need a good brine, then check out the chicken wing brine recipe I use.
Use a BBQ rub
I love barbecue rubs. I use them on almost every meat I make, and chicken is a meat that goes brilliantly with a good rub.
A lot of BBQ fans have their own rub recipe that they remain loyal to, but if you’re unsure where to start here’s a simple chicken BBQ rub recipe.
Aim for 425°F
Heat up your gas grill to a high heat. Personally I prefer around 425°F/220°C. This might take a little bit of time, depending on your grill.
We want to create an environment where the breasts are being grilled quickly at a high heat, so ensure to let the grill warm up properly.
This will also help keep your chicken from sticking to the grill.
Pre-Season
Take the chicken out of the fridge and dry off the brine using a paper towel. Pre-season them by brushing them with some olive oil, and sprinkling with salt.
Grilling time
Place each breast on the grill, ensuring to leave a little bit of room between each one. Do not close the grill, as we want to turn the breast frequently and control the grill temperature as best as possible.
Grill at 425°F (or 220°C), grilling for about 5 minutes on each side. Turn the chicken often until we reach our target internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). I strongly recommend getting a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the chicken.
Gas Grilled Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken breasts skinless
- BBQ rub
- Cooking oil
For the brine
- 1 part kosher salt
- 1 part sugar
- 8 parts cold water
Instructions
- Tenderize chicken breasts
- Create brine in large bowl or brining bucket. Transfer chicken breast to brine solution and transfer to refrigerator. Leave for 30-60 minutes.
- Remove from refrigerator. Leave on drying rack for 30 minutes. Pat down with paper towel to remove leftover solution.
- Apply BBQ rub liberally on chicken breasts, on all sides
- Preheat grill to 425°F/220°C
- Use a basting brush to brush chicken breasts with a thin layer of cooking oil
- Place each breast on the grill. Grill for 5 minutes on each side. Keep cooking until internal temperature of chicken has reached 165°F/75°C.
FAQ
Do you have a different approach to grilling chicken? What’s your favorite grilling recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
