How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts on a Charcoal Grill in 20 Minutes

How Long to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breast on a Charcoal Grill

There’s nothing quite like the smell of grilled chicken on a summer day. Whether you’re grilling for a backyard barbecue or just a simple weeknight meal, bone-in chicken breasts are a delicious and versatile option. But how long do you cook them for?

The answer to that question depends on a few factors, including the thickness of the chicken breasts, the temperature of your grill, and your personal preference. In this article, we’ll discuss all of those factors and help you determine the perfect cooking time for your bone-in chicken breasts.

We’ll also provide some tips for grilling chicken breasts that are juicy and flavorful every time. So whether you’re a grilling novice or a seasoned pro, read on for all the information you need to know about cooking bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill.

Temperature Time Notes
Medium-high heat (375-400 degrees F) 30-35 minutes Flip chicken halfway through cooking.
High heat (450-500 degrees F) 20-25 minutes Flip chicken every 5 minutes or so to prevent burning.

Chicken is a popular and versatile protein that can be cooked in a variety of ways. One of the most popular ways to cook chicken is on a charcoal grill. Charcoal grilling gives chicken a delicious smoky flavor that is hard to replicate with other cooking methods. However, it can be difficult to know how long to cook chicken on a charcoal grill so that it is cooked through but not dry.

This guide will discuss the factors that affect cooking time, provide recommended cooking times for bone-in and boneless chicken breasts, and offer tips for grilling chicken on a charcoal grill.

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

The following factors affect how long it takes to cook chicken on a charcoal grill:

  • Size of the chicken breasts. Larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook than smaller chicken breasts.
  • Temperature of the grill. The hotter the grill, the faster the chicken will cook.
  • Type of charcoal. Different types of charcoal burn at different temperatures. This can affect the cooking time of the chicken.
  • Whether the chicken is marinated or not. Marinated chicken will take longer to cook than unmarinated chicken.
  • Whether the chicken is bone-in or boneless. Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook than boneless chicken.

Recommended Cooking Times

The following are recommended cooking times for bone-in and boneless chicken breasts on a charcoal grill:

  • Bone-in chicken breasts: 30-40 minutes
  • Boneless chicken breasts: 20-30 minutes
  • Marinated chicken breasts: 35-45 minutes
  • Unmarinated chicken breasts: 25-35 minutes

Tips for Grilling Chicken on a Charcoal Grill

The following tips can help you grill chicken on a charcoal grill so that it is cooked through but not dry:

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning.
  • Oil the chicken before grilling. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill.
  • Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to be more tender.

Grilling chicken on a charcoal grill is a delicious and versatile way to cook chicken. By following the tips in this guide, you can cook chicken that is cooked through but not dry.

How Long to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breast on Charcoal Grill?

Bone-in chicken breasts are a popular grilling option, but they can be tricky to cook properly. If you overcook them, they will be dry and tough. If you undercook them, they will be juicy but not fully cooked.

The best way to cook bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill is to cook them over indirect heat. This will help to prevent them from drying out. You should also cook them for a longer period of time than you would boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

The following is a general guide for cooking bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill:

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat.
  • Oil the chicken breasts before grilling.
  • Place the chicken breasts on the grill, skin side down.
  • Cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
  • Baste the chicken breasts with marinade or barbecue sauce during grilling.
  • Let the chicken breasts rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Cooking Bone-In Chicken Breasts on a Charcoal Grill

Here are a few tips for cooking bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill:

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. This will help to prevent the chicken breasts from burning.
  • Oil the chicken breasts before grilling. This will help to keep them from sticking to the grill.
  • Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. If you are using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Baste the chicken breasts with marinade or barbecue sauce during grilling. This will help to add flavor and moisture to the chicken.
  • Let the chicken breasts rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to become more tender.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When cooking bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill, it is important to avoid making the following mistakes:

  • Not preheating the grill properly. If the grill is not hot enough, the chicken breasts will not cook evenly and may stick to the grill.
  • Not oiling the chicken breasts before grilling. This will help to keep them from sticking to the grill and will also help to prevent them from drying out.
  • Overcooking the chicken breasts. Chicken breasts are done cooking when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you overcook them, they will be dry and tough.
  • Not letting the chicken breasts rest before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to become more tender.

Cooking bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill is a great way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal. By following these tips, you can avoid making common mistakes and cook your chicken breasts perfectly every time.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

  • [How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill](https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-cook-bone-in-chicken-breasts-on-a-gas-grill-4156473)
  • [How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts in the Oven](https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-cook-bone-in-chicken-breasts-in-the-oven-4156496)
  • [How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts on the Stovetop](https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-cook-bone-in-chicken-breasts-on-the-stovetop-4156475)

    How long do I cook bone-in chicken breast on a charcoal grill?

  • Answer: Bone-in chicken breasts will take about 30-35 minutes to cook on a charcoal grill, depending on the thickness of the breasts.
  • What temperature should I cook bone-in chicken breast on a charcoal grill?
  • Answer: The ideal temperature for cooking bone-in chicken breasts on a charcoal grill is 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

* **What is the best way to grill bone-in chicken breast?

  • Answer: The best way to grill bone-in chicken breast is to preheat your grill to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, then oil the grates and place the chicken breasts skin-side down on the grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

* **What are some tips for grilling bone-in chicken breast?

  • Answer: Here are some tips for grilling bone-in chicken breast:
  • Marinate the chicken breasts in a flavorful marinade for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
  • Make sure to oil the grates of your grill before placing the chicken breasts on them.
  • Cook the chicken breasts over indirect heat for the first half of the cooking time, then move them over direct heat to finish cooking.
  • Baste the chicken breasts with marinade or melted butter every few minutes while they are grilling.
  • Let the chicken breasts rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

What are some common mistakes people make when grilling bone-in chicken breast?

  • Answer: Here are some common mistakes people make when grilling bone-in chicken breast:
  • Not preheating the grill to the correct temperature.
  • Not oiling the grates of the grill.
  • Cooking the chicken breasts over direct heat for too long.
  • Not letting the chicken breasts rest before slicing and serving.

What are some health benefits of eating grilled chicken breast?

  • Answer: Grilled chicken breast is a healthy and delicious way to get protein in your diet. It is a good source of lean protein, vitamins, and minerals. Grilled chicken breast is also low in fat and calories.

In this blog post, we discussed how to cook bone-in chicken breast on a charcoal grill. We covered the following topics:

  • Choosing the right chicken breasts
  • Preparing the chicken breasts
  • Grilling the chicken breasts
  • Caring for your grill

We hope that this blog post has been helpful and that you will enjoy cooking bone-in chicken breasts on your charcoal grill.

Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:

  • Bone-in chicken breasts are more flavorful than boneless chicken breasts.
  • Marinating the chicken breasts before grilling will help to keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Grilling the chicken breasts over indirect heat will help to prevent them from drying out.
  • Caring for your grill will help to extend its lifespan and ensure that it produces delicious grilled food.

We encourage you to experiment with different grilling methods and recipes to find the perfect way to cook bone-in chicken breasts on your charcoal grill.

Author Profile

Kelsey Hammons
Kelsey Hammons
I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.

I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.

Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.

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