How to Grill Perfect Spring Chicken Every Time

The arrival of warm weather invites outdoor cooking, and few dishes are as quick, easy and satisfying as grilling chicken. But how to get that perfect charred crust without overcooking the meat? Here are some tips to help you grill perfect spring chicken every time.

Choose the right chicken

Not all chickens are created equal when it comes to grilling. The best candidates are those that weigh around 1-1.5 pounds – anything larger will take too long to cook through and may end up dry. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or legs are my favorite choices for grilling – they have more flavor than breasts and tend to stay moist even if they get a little overcooked.

Preheat your grill

Before you start tossing chicken on the grill, it's important to preheat it properly. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and doesn't stick. For gas grills, turn all of the burners on high and let them heat up for 10-15 minutes. For charcoal grills, light the charcoal and wait until it's covered in a light coating of ash before starting to cook.

Season your chicken

Salt and pepper are a must when seasoning grilled chicken – but don't stop there! A simple marinade or spice rub can take your dish to the next level. My favorite marinade for grilled chicken is a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and herbs like thyme or rosemary. Feel free to get creative with your seasonings – just make sure they complement each other well and aren't too overpowering.

Grill over indirect heat

If you want your chicken to come out juicy and tender, it's important to cook it over indirect heat. This means heating the grill until it's hot enough to cook the meat, then arranging the chicken away from the heat source so that it slowly cooks through. If your grill doesn't have an indirect heating option, you can create one by banking the coals towards one side of the grill (or using a gas burner on low).

Baste your chicken occasionally

Chicken can easily dry out on the grill, but this can be prevented by basting it with oil or sauce every few minutes. This not only keeps the meat moist, but also adds flavor and caramelizes the crust nicely. I like to use a mixture of olive oil and bbq sauce whenever I baste my chicken – but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors.

Check for doneness before removing from grill

One of the biggest mistakes people make when grilling chicken is taking it off of the grill before it's fully cooked. Make sure you use a digital thermometer (or at least a good old-fashioned poke test) to check for doneness; chickens should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before being removed from the grill.

With these tips in mind, you'll be able to Grill Perfect Spring Chicken Every Time!

The Best Grilled Chicken Recipes for Spring

When the weather starts to warm up, there's nothing like firing up the grill for a delicious meal. If chicken is your thing, we've got you covered with some of the best grilled chicken recipes around.

First up is this Grilled Chicken Teriyaki recipe from Gimme Some Oven. You only need 5 ingredients for this dish, which makes it perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

If you're looking for something a bit more exotic, check out this Grilled Piri Piri Chicken from Half Baked Harvest. This spicy dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

And finally, for those who love their BBQ chicken, we've got this amazing BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe from Chef de Home. This pizza is definitely not your average pie – it's loaded with tons of flavor!

So what are you waiting for? Get grilling!

25 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Try this Spring

The weather is slowly starting to warm up, and that means one thing: it's time to start cooking on the grill! If you're looking for some new chicken recipes to try this spring, look no further. We've gathered up 25 of our favorite grilled chicken recipes for you to try.

1. Grilled Lemon and Pepper Chicken: This citrusy chicken recipe is perfect for springtime. The lemon flavor pairs perfectly with the black pepper, and the end result is a delicious and juicy chicken dish.

2. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken: This teriyaki chicken is a classic recipe that everyone will love. The chicken is marinated in a delicious teriyaki sauce, then grilled to perfection.

3. Grilled Margarita Chicken: Tangy, juicy, and absolutely delicious – this margarita chicken is perfect for your next backyard barbecue! Serve it with some tortilla chips and salsa for the ultimate Mexican-inspired meal.

4. Grilled BBQ Chicken Kabobs: These kabobs are easy to make and perfect for feeding a large crowd. The chicken is marinated in a delicious BBQ sauce before being skewered with peppers and onions.

5. Grilled Sriracha Lime Chicken: This spicy chicken dish will awaken your taste buds with its delicious flavors of sriracha sauce and lime juice. It's perfect for serving at parties or gatherings, or simply enjoy it as a quick weeknight meal.

6. Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken: A sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce coats these juicy grilled chickens making them irresistible! This easy recipe only takes about 30 minutes to prepare, so it's perfect for busy weeknights.

7. Grilled Island Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken: If you're looking for a tropical-inspired chicken dish, look no further than this island pineapple teriyaki recipe! The combination of fresh pineapple and teriyaki sauce creates a mouth-watering dish that you'll love every bite of.

8. Grilled Orange Chili Chicken: This spiced-up chicken dish will tantalize your taste buds with its orange chili flavor profile! It's perfect for those who love their food with a bit of heat, and it makes an excellent main course or appetizer at gatherings or parties.

Grilled Lemon and Herb Chicken Breasts

This grilled chicken breast recipe is easy to follow and results in a delicious, lemony dish.

Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Juice of 1 lemon 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions: 1) Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2) In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 3) Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Massage the marinade into the chicken breasts and let sit for at least 15 minutes. 4) Grill chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Serve immediately.

Easy Grilled Apricot Ginger Glazed Chicken

This apricot ginger glazed chicken recipe is easy to follow and results in a delicious and healthy dish. The apricots add sweetness while the ginger gives the dish a bit of a zing. You can serve this grilled chicken with brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

-1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

-1/4 cup apricot jam

-1 tablespoon honey

-1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

-1 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting them in half horizontally, but not all the way through. Be careful not to cut all the way through or your chicken will fall apart when cooked. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the apricot jam for later.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining apricot jam, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground ginger until smooth.

3. Spread the mixture over each of the butterflied chicken breasts, using as much or as little as you like.

4. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. If you want your chicken to be extra crispy, you can place it on a baking sheet and broil it for a few minutes after grilling. Serve with brown rice or quinoa and reserved apricot jam on the side for dipping. Enjoy!