How Long Do You Grill Chicken Breast (And Why)?

How Long Do You Grill Chicken Breast (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 9-10 Minutes

Grilling chicken is a great way to get a tasty, healthy meal. But how long should you grill chicken breast? If you’re cooking chicken breasts, the boneless and skinless variety can be a problem. But, it is a question asked by many of the grilled chicken lovers out there who are waiting to get mastery in putting out the best BBQ party ever. 

 Well, the answer depends on the thickness of the meat and your desired doneness (e.g., medium, well-done). To find out what’s best for you, read this blog post to make sure your chicken is not overcooked or dried out in the process.

How Long Do You Grill Chicken Breast

How Long Do You Grill Chicken Breast?

MethodTime Taken
Prep time10 Minutes
Brining30 Minutes
Grill Time9 to 10 minutes on each side

Grilling a chicken breast takes around one minute per side. The important thing when grilling chicken is to make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked and not pink in the middle. 

The USDA recommends 165 degrees Fahrenheit as this provides adequate food safety for all people, whatever their age or health status- if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions, 165°F may not be hot enough. 

You will also want to avoid overcooking your chicken – when fully cooked, it should reach an internal temperature of at least 170°F. Your stove’s thermometer might be handy here! Of course, different brands of grills cook differently, so follow the instructions that came with your grill for more accurate information on how long it’ll take to cook perfectly. 

Grill Chicken Breast

The best way to grill a chicken breast is to ensure that the skin has not been taken off and then basting with olive oil on each side to dry out. You’ll want to grill it over moderate heat for about 12 minutes per side until golden brown and serve with a handful of chopped rosemary sprinkled on top. 

Before grilling the chicken breast, it is essential to make a brine solution with a cup of kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups of water for  30 minutes. The chicken breasts should absorb enough moisture by this time so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill and do not dry out. For best tasting grilled chicken, brine your bird for at least 30 minutes before grilling.

Why Does It Take So Long To Grill Chicken Breast?

The time taken to grill a chicken breast is mainly dependent on the weight of the chicken breast. The optimal grilling time for a 3 ounce (8 oz) chicken breast is approximately 9 minutes, although this can vary depending on how hot your grill is. 

Also, the prep time for chicken is 10 minutes, you need to perfectly coat the chicken with oil and paprika for that fantastic flavor. While grilling, making sure to brush them with olive oil on the grill gates also takes time.  Moreover, you also need to arrange for your girl to have high heat, and the other side is cooler. 

When the chicken breast is brown on one side, turn it over and move it to a cooler side with lower heat and cover it to complete cooking. The total time that your chicken needs to be on the grill depends on how long it takes to cook before it reaches an internal temperature of 155  Fahrenheit. You can remove it when it hits these notes as if it is 165 degrees Fahrenheit; it will no longer be pink in the middle.

Grill Chicken Breast

More importantly, it makes sense to cook other foods within two hours because the heat source has cycles of heating and cooling in which bacteria can grow. 

When it reaches this temperature, you need to take it off the grill and cover it in a foil to rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

Conclusion

To grill the perfect chicken breast, you need to be sure that your grill is hot enough. Once you have chicken on a grill, you’ll know they’re done when their juices run clear, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the meat without touching any bone areas. This is because those parts will cook more slowly than other sections due to an increased thickness relative to the surface area. 

When cooking several breasts at once, it may take longer as there is more volume. Overall, the estimated time to thoroughly cook the chicken breasts is 9 to 10 minutes before flipping, depending on the type of grill you use and how hot the temperature is.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119414454 
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0309174005001518 
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AboutNidhi

Hi! I'm Nidhi.

Here at the EHL, it's all about delicious, easy recipes for casual entertaining. So come and join me at the beach, relax and enjoy the food.

20 Comments

  1. I think I’ve been underestimating the time and effort needed to grill chicken properly. This article has certainly changed my perspective on the process.

    1. Same here! I never realized there was such precision and consideration involved. It’s a whole new perspective on grilling chicken.

  2. I think it’s safe to say that my view of grilling chicken has evolved significantly after reading this. The specifics on time and temperature are much more intricate than I realized.

    1. Absolutely. The specifics and attention to detail here have certainly broadened my understanding of grilling chicken. This was a very enlightening article.

  3. I’ve never been too confident in grilling chicken, but after reading this, I feel more prepared to get the timing and temperature just right. Thank you for the detailed guidance.

    1. I feel the same way. The specifics on prep time, brining, and grill times are very useful. I’m looking forward to testing this information out!

  4. Impressive level of detail in this explanation. It’s clear that there’s a lot more to grilling chicken than just putting it on the grill and waiting for a general amount of time.

    1. Absolutely, the insights into the process are very enlightening. I found this to be quite an educational read!

  5. This is helpful information for understanding the process of grilling chicken thoroughly and ensuring it’s both safe and delicious.

    1. Definitely! I appreciate the comprehensive explanation on why it takes a certain amount of time to grill chicken. It’s interesting to consider the variables involved.

  6. This post makes me want to start grilling chicken right away! The level of detail provided is proving to be quite inspiring.

  7. Who knew grilling chicken involved so much precision! The insights given here are both amusing and enlightening. I’m eager to try these guidelines out for myself.

    1. I couldn’t agree more. This article definitely adds a new way of looking at grilling chicken, and I can’t wait to put these tips into practice.

  8. This information is very helpful for those of us who are cautious about food safety and cooking processes. I appreciate the clarity and thoroughness of the explanation.

    1. Definitely. The details provided here are an eye-opener. It’s great to have a comprehensive understanding of grilling chicken properly.

    2. It’s refreshing to see such a well-informed discussion on grilling. I’m quite impressed with the level of detail and explanations provided.

  9. How informative! Good to know the recommended temperatures for grilling chicken and the length of time needed to ensure that it’s cooked thoroughly without being overdone.

    1. I agree. I never realized how precise you have to be when grilling chicken. It’s good to be aware of the food safety measures.

  10. I’ve grilled chicken many times, but I learned some new tricks here. It’s fascinating to see the science behind how goals are achieved through specific time durations and temperature requirements.

    1. It’s definitely a combination of science and art to get that perfect grilled chicken. I appreciate the breakdown of each step involved.

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