The Blog Timer

How Long to Grill Chicken? Safe and Perfectly Cooked Every Time

By · Last updated:

Grilling chicken requires careful timing to achieve the internal temperature of 165°F while maintaining juicy, non-rubbery texture. This guide covers timing for every cut.

Grilling Chicken Safely

Chicken is more forgiving on the grill than many people believe, but it requires reaching 165°F (74°C) internal temperature without charring the outside or drying the inside. The keys are correct grill temperature, appropriate technique for each cut, and a reliable timer combined with an instant-read thermometer.

Grill Temperature Setup

Most chicken cuts grill best over medium heat (350–400°F). Breasts and thinner cuts benefit from a two-zone setup: sear over high heat, then finish over indirect medium heat. This prevents the outside from burning before the center reaches safe temperature.

Grilling Times by Cut

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Medium heat, lid closed: 6–8 minutes per side for a 6–8 oz breast. Total: 12–16 minutes. Flip only once. Resist the urge to flip repeatedly — let each side develop grill marks and proper browning.

Bone-In Chicken Breasts

Sear over direct heat for 2–3 minutes per side, then move to indirect heat and cook with lid closed for 20–30 minutes. Total: 25–35 minutes.

Chicken Thighs (Boneless Skinless)

Thighs are more forgiving than breasts due to higher fat content. Grill over medium-high heat: 5–7 minutes per side. Total: 10–14 minutes. They benefit from slightly higher heat than breasts because the fat renders better.

Chicken Thighs (Bone-In, Skin-On)

Sear skin-side down over direct heat for 5 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat. Cook with lid closed for 20–25 minutes. Total: 25–30 minutes. Check that skin does not burn over direct heat.

Chicken Drumsticks

Medium heat, turn every 5 minutes: total 30–35 minutes. Drumsticks cook unevenly due to their tapered shape, so frequent turning is more important than with other cuts.

Whole Chicken (Spatchcocked)

A spatchcocked (butterflied) chicken grills in 35–45 minutes over indirect medium heat versus 75–90 minutes for a whole bird. This is the best method for even grilling of a whole chicken.

The Resting Rule

Rest grilled chicken for 5 minutes after removing from heat. Cover loosely with foil. Juices redistribute significantly during this rest, and the internal temperature continues to rise 3–5°F from carryover cooking.

Sources

  1. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) (2020). Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2022). Food Code, 2022

Recommended Timers

14 Minutes 30 Minutes 35 Minutes

Related Guides

📖

How Long to Bake Chicken? Complete Timing Guide by Cut and Temperature

Chicken is done at 165°F, not at a time on the clock. The USDA's official 350°F timetable by cut, what changes the baking time, and a timer workflow that avoids dry meat.

📖

Cooking Timers: Common Kitchen Timings

A quick cooking times chart for eggs, pasta, rice, and grains, plus USDA-safe internal temperatures, so your kitchen timer keeps every dish on track.

Browse Related Guide Topics

Return to Minute Timers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This timer uses your device's internal clock and tracks the end timestamp, not individual ticks. This means it stays accurate even if your browser tab goes to sleep or your device briefly lags.

Absolutely. This timer works on any device with a modern web browser—phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. No app download required.

See Also