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How Long Do You Grill Chicken on a Gas Grill?

Here are a few possible answers

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There are a number of answers to "How long do you grill chicken on a gas grill?" There are a variety of techniques for cooking chicken and each of them will determine the amount of time required. Regardless of the time involved, the breast should get to 165 F, or the juices should run clear when you twist a joint.

Here are a few methods of cooking chicken on a gas grill. Keep in mind, this is how I do it. There are many opinions, mine tend to be in the low and slow area because I've just not had good results cooking at super high temps.

Grilled Chicken Breast

How long do you grill chicken on a gas grill? How long do you grill chicken on a gas grill? Everyone is going to have a different process for preparing a chicken breast to be grilled. My preference is to use a dry rub for seasoning. In fact, if I intend to use anything like barbecue sauce, I won't put it on until just before it's done, or after I take it off the grill.

I normally get the grill up to 400-500° F. I use a Bubba Keg grill quite a bit. This isn't a gas grill so it's a little different. On this grill I will place the breasts in the center of the grate for a few minutes on each side, then move them off to the edges where the heat isn't quite as intense. I can close the vents down, but it won't drop the temperature as quickly as a gas grill. I do all of this with the lid down.

On a 3 burner gas grill, I will light two to a medium setting, sear the breasts over the direct heat for a few minutes and then move off to the unlit part of the cooking area. I also turn the other burners to low. Lid shut for about 7 minutes per side!!!!

If you're in a real hurry, you can torch your chicken, but I like a nice juicy breast and this is nearly impossible over continual high heat. It's best to spend 15 minutes to get the job done right. Your taste buds will thank you.

Grilled Chicken Legs & Thighs

How long do you grill chicken on a gas grill? Legs and Thighs are fattier and need to cook to about 180° F, so will take a bit longer. I still follow a similar approach. Start with some high heat to sear each side and then move to low heat with the lid down. If you're cooking breasts with them, keep the thighs closer to the lit burner so your chicken pieces finish at about the same time.

Spatchcock or Filleted Whole Chicken

Spatchcock chicken on a gas grill How long do you grill chicken on a gas grill? In my opinion, the best way to cook chicken on a gas grill, PERIOD! The reasons are simple.

It's far easier to cook the chicken evenly once it's flattened out.
The dark meat has more exposure to heat and ends up being done at the same time the breast is done.
With a good overall dry rub, the flavors are just like a low and slow smoked chicken.
It's juicy as can be.

I've written about spatchcock chicken here, so I won't rehash it in detail. This will take a bit longer. On a gas grill at 350° F it will take 50 minutes. I usually put mine over the unlit burner on a 3 burner gas grill. This is considered a direct heat method, but I'm just not buying it yet. With my Bubba Keg and it's heat retention, 350° F on the thermometer is serious! On my gas grill, it's a joke. So I will have to write an article doing thins on the Bubba one day.

This method is the closest to true Q you'll get on a gas grill, so I recommend trying it.

Now if I were to ask other grillers and barbecuers "how long do you grill chicken on a gas grill" I would get a lot of different answers. BBQ purists might tell you 0 minutes on a gas grill because they generally don't use them. Setting that debate aside, it really comes down to your method of cooking.

One method I didn't highlight was beer can chicken which can also be done on a gas grill. This will take closer to 3 hours which is why I generally do Spatchcock these days. I've also used a loaf pan technique which takes about two hours for a whole chicken. Again, most backyard chefs don't have the time for these methods. But, they are definitely missing something!

How long do you grill chicken on a gas grill? Well, it depends ;) If you're looking for even more information about chicken, check out these easy chicken recipes for both indoor and outdoor cooking.