Grillin’ Temperatures for Chicken

Lesson

How do you know when grilled or barbecue chicken is done? The best gauge of doneness is to check the temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. Simply insert the thermometer into the breast or thigh sections of the meat to get a temperature reading. (Always check the instructions that come with your thermometer to make sure you use it properly.)

The temperature of the grill is important, too. Most newer grills have a temperature gauge built-in. If yours doesn’t, use an oven thermometer.

Cooking temperatures and times

Some cookbooks suggest cooking chicken until the temperature in the thigh reaches 180°F. However, if you follow that advice, the bird may taste like rubber. The internal temperature of a chicken, like any meat or poultry, will rise approximately 10 degrees while it rests, waiting to be served. So, Grill U’s best guideline is to cook chicken until it reaches 155°F. After removing it and covering it in foil, the temperature will rise to 165°F, our optimum safe temperature. At this temperature, it’s perfectly safe to eat and is more flavorful, tender, and juicy.

If you’re cooking at temperatures between 300°F and 350°F, it will take about 20 to 30 minutes per pound to cook. So, a 4 pound chicken should take around 2 hours to cook.

To check when it’s done, insert the meat thermometer into the breast of the chicken. Take the chicken off the grill when it reaches 155°F in the breast, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes. During this time the juices re-circulate inside the meat and the temperature will rise to a perfectly done 165°F.

Some people like to check the temperature of the thigh as well, because it’s darker, denser, fattier meat and may take a bit longer to look. A thigh temperature of 165° to 170°F is perfectly safe.

If you’ve tried the temperature method and still aren’t sure if the chicken is done, cut into the thickest section. If you see pink, put it back on the grill for a few more minutes. While beef is often savored when it’s pink in the center, chicken isn’t safe to eat unless it’s fully cooked.

Cooked chicken should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Properly handled cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

For more information on this topic, see our lesson on Cooking Temperature vs. Time.