The Best Cuts Of Chicken For Grilling, According To An Expert

One of the best parts of summer is enjoying delicious food outside with friends and family. If you're hosting a cookout this summer, you'll want to go through Mashed's barbecue and grill recipes. With such a long list, there's sure to be something to surprise your guests with, from grilled steak to grilled pineapple with whipped cream. If you really want to impress a crowd, you can even make homemade barbecue sauce.

But getting the right ingredients and perfect recipes aren't the only tricks for grilling. When you're preparing meat, you also need to choose the right cut. For those who love grilled chicken, Perdue Executive Chef Chris Moyer says that the best cuts of chicken to throw on the grill are dark meat options. "When it comes to grilling, bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks are two of my favorites," Moyer tells Mashed.

Here's why the chef thinks bone-in chicken is an especially tasty grilling option.

Although grilled chicken breasts are quite popular, Perdue Executive Chef Chris Moyer vouches for grilling chicken thighs and drumsticks. "Dark meat has higher fat content, which makes it more flavorful and also easier to grill," Moyer says. "These cuts can withstand hotter temperatures and don't dry out as easily." That means you'll avoid the dreaded dry-chicken conundrum.

But taste isn't the only factor that makes bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks ideal for the grill. You may have noticed that your grocery bill has increased, and there are some global factors keeping food costs high. Moyer points out that dark meat, such as thighs and drumsticks, is often cheaper than other parts of the chicken.

Want more tips on making the best-grilled chicken? Now that you know why you should grill your dark meat, learn why Bobby Flay thinks you should keep the skin on when you're grilling dark-meat chicken.