Chicken is an incredibly versatile meat, and it only gets better when the weather starts getting warmer and you can break out the grill. We are always ready for a break from the usual stir-fried, pot pie, and baked methods of cooking by that point, so grilling is a welcome change. It does not matter whether you favor charcoal or gas. A great grilled chicken is the same everywhere.
Well grilled meat has a skin that is crisp and burnished without being burnt. The meat is moist and the flavor is just a little smoky. Good chicken cooked on the grill should never be dry or underdone in the middle. If you are having trouble getting your meat to do what you want it to on the grill, here are some tips that could help.
There are a number of ways to cook recipes for grilled chicken, using different cuts, different spices, and various marinades and brines. No matter what kind of recipes you use, you can be creative and adapt them for fantastic results. All you really need to do is pay attention to a few basic rules to get the best grilled results every time.
Depending on which part of the bird you are cooking, you will need to find the right temperature for the grill, as well as the correct cooking time. Remember that poultry is a lean meat, so it does not deal with high temperatures as well as fattier red meat, which stays moist longer.
You must be aware of the internal temperature of the bird, since it dries out fast when it reaches temperatures higher than a hundred and sixty five degrees. That is the minimum allowance from the US Dept. of Agriculture for safe eating. Keep an instant read meat thermometer on hand, particularly if you have chosen to cook with large bone-in cuts of chicken instead of boneless pieces. Those bones can make temperature hard to predict.
You might need a few tries to figure out the timing for the perfect grilled chicken, but there are so many fantastic grilling chicken breast recipes and recipes for other parts of the bird that you will still have some great meals while you’re working it out. This is a learning process you will really be able to sink your teeth into once you have mastered it.
Chefs grilling whole birds will want to butterfly it, flattening it to make sure it grills evenly. This works best on a bird between three and four pounds, and involves removing the backbone with sharp shears. After that is done, a firm press on the breastbone will flatten it for even grilling.
Of course, if you do not feel like dealing with butterflying or bone-in verities, there are some other options. Boneless breasts and thighs among them do very well on the grill, cooking quickly and evenly without much fuss. Just remember that their thinness and consistent texture means they could be overdone very quickly, so you will need to watch them carefully. A little attention will help you get fantastic grilled chicken every time.
A delicious chicken curry is a great way to liven up your week. This spice is big and bold. It makes a thick sauce that you can serve over your chicken and a serving of rice. You can choose from green curry or red curry when you make this dish.