This Is How Long You Should Cook Chicken On The Grill

Cooking chicken on the grill has become synonymous with summer barbecues. There's nothing like enjoying your favorite beverage on a warm day while smelling the incredible aroma of seasoned chicken cooking on the grill. There are also so many ways to make this versatile meat — lemon and rosemary chicken, Jamaican jerk style or classic crispy grilled chicken. However, when it comes to knowing how long to leave your chicken on the grill, it can be a bit tricky. But don't fret – we'll have you grilling chicken like a champ for your next cookout. 

According to The Daily Meal, one of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that thin-cut and boneless chicken breasts will need the same amount of time on the grill. Smaller pieces will of course cook faster, but it's important to keep bone-in legs and thighs on the grill for about 10 to 15 minutes per side. However, the head chef of HelloFresh, Claudia Sidoti, warns that you also don't want to keep it on for too long either. "Be sure to not keep the chicken on the grill for too long — this will cause the meat to dry out and lose its juiciness," Sidoti told Eat This, Not That!

If you're cooking a whole chicken it will typically take 18 to 25 minutes per pound (via The Daily Meal), which adds up if you're cooking with a lot of meat. But if something a little more time-efficient is what you're looking for, drumsticks or wings are the way to go. They typically need just eight to 12 minutes per side. To make sure you don't dry out your chicken, Sidoti recommends keeping it at room temperature before you put it on the grill. "If you put cold chicken on the grill, the heat will dry out the chicken before the inside is done," she explained. "Room temperature meat cooks more evenly and fewer juices will leak while cooking."

However, if all else fails and you're not sure if your chicken has been properly cooked through, make sure to use a meat thermometer. The United States Department of Agriculture advises that all chicken needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be safe to eat. Now you're ready to be a grill master at your next barbecue soiree!