How to Blacken Chicken on the Grill: A Simple and Flavorful Recipe
How to Blacken Chicken on the Grill
Blackened chicken is a delicious and flavorful way to cook chicken. The high heat of the grill caramelizes the chicken’s natural juices, creating a crispy, smoky crust that is sure to please everyone.
Blackened chicken is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. You’ll need chicken breasts, olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings.
To make blackened chicken, start by preheating your grill to high heat. While the grill is heating, season the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings.
Once the grill is hot, place the chicken breasts on the grates and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
Serve the blackened chicken immediately with your favorite sides.
Blackened chicken is a great dish to serve for a summer cookout or dinner party. It’s also perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and flavorful way to cook chicken, give blackened chicken a try!
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How To Blacken Chicken On The Grill?
Choosing the Right Chicken
The first step to blackening chicken on the grill is choosing the right chicken. You want to choose a chicken that is fresh and has a good amount of fat. The fat will help to keep the chicken moist while it is grilling.
You can use any type of chicken for blackening, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the most popular choice. This is because they are easy to cook and they cook quickly. However, you can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks.
When you are choosing chicken, look for a bird that is plump and has a bright, white flesh. The skin should be smooth and free of blemishes.
How to Prepare the Chicken
Before you can blacken chicken on the grill, you need to prepare it. The first step is to rinse the chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
If you are using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can skip this step. However, if you are using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks, you will need to remove the skin. You can do this by using a sharp knife to cut around the edge of the skin and then pulling it off.
Once the skin is removed, you need to cut the chicken into pieces. For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can cut them into 1-inch thick strips. For bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks, you can cut them into 2-inch pieces.
Marinating the Chicken
Marinating the chicken is optional, but it is a great way to add flavor and moisture to the meat. There are many different marinades you can use, but some of the most popular include:
- Teriyaki marinade: This marinade is made with soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar. It is a sweet and savory marinade that is perfect for chicken.
- Lemon-pepper marinade: This marinade is made with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and black pepper. It is a simple and flavorful marinade that is perfect for chicken.
- Spicy marinade: This marinade is made with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. It is a smoky and spicy marinade that is perfect for chicken.
No matter which marinade you choose, make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours. This will give the flavors time to penetrate the meat.
Grilling the Chicken
Preheating the Grill
Before you can grill the chicken, you need to preheat the grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, you will need to build a fire and let it burn for 15-20 minutes until the coals are hot and ash-covered. If you are using a gas grill, you will need to turn the heat to high and let the grill heat up for 5-10 minutes.
Applying the Blackening Rub
Once the grill is preheated, you can apply the blackening rub to the chicken. Blackening rub is a mixture of spices and herbs that is used to give chicken a dark, flavorful crust. You can buy blackening rub at the store, or you can make your own.
To make your own blackening rub, combine the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix the ingredients together until they are evenly combined.
Sprinkle the blackening rub all over the chicken. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly.
Grilling the Chicken
Once the chicken is coated in the blackening rub, you can place it on the grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, place the chicken over the hot coals. If you are using a gas grill, place the chicken over the direct heat.
Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Determining When the Chicken is Done
The best way to determine when the chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit
How to Blacken Chicken on the Grill
Blackened chicken is a delicious and flavorful way to cook chicken. The blackened crust is created by searing the chicken in a hot skillet or grill, which caramelizes the sugars in the meat and creates a smoky flavor. Blackened chicken is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, and it can be served with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 cup of your favorite bbq rub
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the bbq rub, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill the chicken pieces for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- To make sure the chicken is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can also blacken chicken in a cast-iron skillet. Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken pieces. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Blackened chicken is best served immediately, but you can also reheat it in the oven or microwave.
Variations
- You can use any type of chicken for blackened chicken, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a good option because they cook quickly.
- You can also use different types of bbq rubs to create different flavors of blackened chicken. Some popular options include:
- Memphis-style bbq rub
- Texas-style bbq rub
- Carolina-style bbq rub
- You can also add other ingredients to the bbq rub, such as:
- Chopped garlic
- Chopped onion
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Smoked paprika
- Blackened chicken is a great way to use up leftover chicken. Simply shred the chicken and toss it with your favorite bbq sauce. Serve the chicken on top of a salad or with your favorite sides.
Blackened chicken is a delicious and flavorful way to cook chicken. It’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, and it can be served with a variety of sides. So next time you’re looking for a new way to cook chicken, give blackened chicken a try!
Caring for the Chicken
Once you’ve cooked your blackened chicken, it’s important to care for it properly so that it stays fresh and delicious. Here are a few tips for caring for your blackened chicken:
- Rest the chicken. After you’ve cooked your chicken, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more moist and flavorful.
- Serve the chicken immediately. Blackened chicken is best served immediately after it’s been cooked. If you need to reheat it, do so in the oven or microwave until it’s heated through.
- Store the chicken properly. If you’re not going to eat your blackened chicken right away, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days.
- Reheat the chicken properly. When you’re ready to reheat your blackened chicken, do so in the oven or microwave until it’s heated through. Do not reheat the chicken on the grill, as this will dry out the meat.
Tips and Tricks
- If you’re not sure if your chicken is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can check to see if your chicken is cooked through by cutting into it. The meat should be white and opaque throughout, with no pink or red juices.
- If you’re reheating your blackened chicken, be sure to heat it until it’s heated through. Do not reheat the chicken on the grill, as this will dry out the meat.
Tips and Tricks
Blackened chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish, but there are a few things you can do to make it even better. Here are a few tips and tricks for blackened chicken:
- Avoid common mistakes. One of the most
How do I blacken chicken on the grill?
To blacken chicken on the grill, you will need:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss the chicken pieces to coat them evenly in the marinade.
4. Grill the chicken pieces for 6-8 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and charred on the outside.
5. Serve the chicken immediately.
What is the difference between blackened chicken and grilled chicken?
Blackened chicken is a type of grilled chicken that is cooked over high heat until the outside is charred and blackened. This creates a smoky, flavorful crust on the chicken that is unlike anything else. Grilled chicken, on the other hand, is cooked over medium heat and does not have the same charred crust as blackened chicken.
What are some tips for grilling chicken?
Here are some tips for grilling chicken:
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Marinate the chicken in a flavorful marinade before grilling. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Grill the chicken over indirect heat. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning.
- Baste the chicken with marinade or melted butter while it is grilling. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
What are some common mistakes people make when grilling chicken?
Some common mistakes people make when grilling chicken include:
- Not cooking the chicken through. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grilling the chicken over direct heat. This can cause the chicken to burn on the outside before it is cooked through on the inside.
- Not basting the chicken while it is grilling. Basting the chicken with marinade or melted butter will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
What are some side dishes that go well with blackened chicken?
Here are some side dishes that go well with blackened chicken:
- Grilled vegetables
- Potato salad
- Corn on the cob
- Rice pilaf
- Salad
What are some drinks that go well with blackened chicken?
Here are some drinks that go well with blackened chicken:
- Lemonade
- Sweet tea
- Margaritas
- Beer
- Wine
Blackened chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer cookout. It is also relatively easy to make, as long as you follow a few simple steps. In this blog post, we have outlined the key steps involved in blackening chicken on the grill. We have also provided tips on how to make sure your chicken is cooked evenly and comes out moist and juicy. So, whether you are a seasoned grill master or a novice, be sure to give this recipe a try!
Here are the key takeaways from this blog post:
- To blacken chicken on the grill, you will need to marinate the chicken in a mixture of spices, oil, and vinegar.
- The chicken should be grilled over high heat for a short period of time, until it is charred on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- Be sure to flip the chicken frequently to ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Blackened chicken is best served with grilled vegetables and a side of rice.
Author Profile
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With over 30 years experience, Lucks Caterers is a second generation family owned and operated business. We are committed to maintaining our family tradition of outstanding quality, excellence and reliability.
Our European trained head chef develops beautiful and delicious foods to catch the eye and satisfy the palate. Lucks provides you with imaginative and affordable menu selections.
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