When it comes to cooking, it can all seem a little complicated at times. There are so many different rules for different food items that it can get a little overwhelming.
But, I promise you, once you get into the hang of things, it is actually much simpler than it first appears. So don’t let a little lapse in knowledge stop you from unleashing your inner Gordan Ramsey – we all have one.
All you need is a little know-how, and this article has it in the bucket load. For this article, in particular, we’re focusing on chicken – grilled chicken to be precise.
You see, if you were to throw your chicken straight on the grill, it’s likely to become pretty dry and unpalatable. So, what you need to do is bake the chicken for a little while to help prevent it from doing so.
If you want to become King or Queen of the grill when it comes to juicy and delicious chicken, then you’ll need to keep reading! Let’s learn all about grilling chicken together!
Does Chicken Need To Be Pre-Cooked Before It’s Grilled?
Absolutely! If you want a super delicious chicken to serve up to your guests, your very best bet is to pre-cook it a bit ahead of time and then pop it on the grill when you’re ready to chow down.
This will help to ensure an even heat distribution the whole way through and prevents you from serving up a slimy undercooked chicken. That would be a surefire way to create a grilling disaster and nobody wants that.
There are several different methods you can opt for when it comes to pre-cooking your chicken. The most popular options include using the oven, microwaving it, or boiling it on the stovetop.
Boil Vs Baking For Precooking
There’s a lot of debate about which of these two methods is the best when it comes to pre-cooking your chicken. But really, there’s no right or wrong answer. The option you choose can affect the meat though, so let’s take a look at the differing results of the two methods.
Boiling – Boiling the chicken will remove some of the minerals and protein in the meat but you’ll still have a very protein-packed piece of chicken nonetheless.
Baking – Baking the chicken will provide the tastier option but it will impact the texture as it usually becomes slightly drier.
How Long Should You Parboil Chicken Before You Grill It?
For those who don’t know, parboiling is a cooking technique that is used in tons of different recipes out there. This technique means that the meat can reach its optimal texture before it is cooked (grilled, in this case.) This process typically improves the taste of your meat.
When it comes to parboiling chicken, the amount of time it will take will depend entirely on the size of the meat you are using. For example, chicken breasts only need to be parboiled for around 10 minutes.
Legs, thighs, and quarters usually need around 5 minutes on either side and then a whole chicken will need a considerably longer time of around 30-40 minutes.
How Long Should You Pre-Cook Chicken In The Oven Before You Grill It?
Okay, so typically, you can expect your chicken to take around 60 minutes to be pre-cooked using the oven. What you’ll want to do is preheat the oven to around 425 degrees Fahrenheit and then place the raw chicken into a lightly oiled oven-proof dish.
Loosely cover this in foil to trap all the moisture and then pop in the oven for around 30 minutes. At the halfway point, you’ll then want to uncover the chicken, flip it over and then recover and continue cooking for the remaining time.
Once the chicken has pre-cooked it can be transferred straight to the grill.
It’s important to keep in mind that there may be fluctuations in time depending on the size of the chicken you use as well as the temperature that you heat your oven to. You may need to make time adjustments to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked.
What About Pre-Cooking Chicken In The Microwave?
You can also pre-cook your chicken in the microwave if you’d prefer, though this is the least recommended method of all the above.
What you’ll want to do in this instance is cook the chicken for around 4 minutes and then transfer the chicken to the grill for a further 5-6 minutes turning the chicken over occasionally.
Top Tip – Ensure that your grill is well oiled when transferring your chicken onto it to help get a crispier skin as it will tend to go soft and soggy in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should now know pretty much everything there is to know about pre-cooking chicken. But below you’ll find a list of some of the more common questions individuals find along the way. Check them out now and save yourself some time searching for the answers at a later date.
Should You Bake Your Chicken Thighs Before Grilling?
Yes, definitely. Here’s the thing with chicken thighs – they’re incredibly difficult to get right if you cook them on the grill alone. Pre-cooking them beforehand makes the whole process a lot easier.
You want the thighs to reach an internal temperature of around 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you grill them. The best option is to bake them in the oven for anywhere between 45-90 minutes.
Can You Boil Chicken Wings Before You Grill Them?
Yes, you can! If you are parboiling chicken wings, you need only do so for around 10-15 minutes. However, you’ll want to add around 50% of the cooking time onto that value if you are parboiling them from frozen.
What Temperature Should You Grill Chicken In The Oven?
When grilling chicken in the oven, you’ll want to preheat it to around 320 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll then want to cook your chicken for around 60 minutes, though this time may vary depending on the size of the meat.
You should always use a meat thermometer to check that the meat has reached the desired internal temperature. You can also use a fork to visually check if the meat is tender and moist.
Should Chicken Be At Room Temperature Before It’s Grilled?
Yes! Before you transfer your meat to the grill, you want to ensure that it has cooled back down to room temperature. This will ensure that it cooks optimally and that the meat doesn’t become dry.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Chicken On The Grill At 400 Degrees Fahrenheit?
You’ll want to let the meat sit for approximately 30 minutes before you begin to grill it. Once the meat is at room temperature you can then transfer the chicken onto a preheated grill.
You should let it cook for around 8 minutes. You’ll know that the meat is ready when it changes to a golden brown color and has evident sear marks too.
How Do You Keep Chicken From Drying Out When Grilling It?
The best way to prevent dried-out, chewy, and unappealing chicken, soak it in a brine solution beforehand.
You’ll want to create a mixture that is ¼ cup of salt and 4 cups of water, let the chicken soak in this for around 30 minutes. Then when the chicken is cooked it will be full of moisture and super juicy and delicious.
Final Thoughts
If you’re cooking up some chicken on the grill, then you’ll definitely want to allot some spare time aside so that you can pre-cook it before you even consider placing it anywhere close to the grill. This will improve both the texture and flavor of the chicken.
Just always keep in mind that the instructions outlined in this article may vary depending on the amount of meat that you are cooking. So make sure that you fluctuate the time and temperature accordingly.
If you are ever unsure as to whether your chicken is good to go, you can always use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature or alternatively you can use a fork to see if the meat is cooked through.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
