Crave Worthy Chicken - Big Y® World Class Market®

Poultry cooks in a slightly different way from beef or fish, and it comes with its own set of rules. With poultry in particular, it’s important to make sure the meat is cooked through. Here’s what you need to know:

• Poultry should always be cooked completely through to an internal temperature of 180°F. When it’s done, poultry will feel light and springy to the touch, and juices should run clear. If it doesn’t give to a light touch, it’s probably still not cooked enough. For complete accuracy, invest in an instant-read meat thermometer.
• Small, boneless pieces like chicken breasts or thighs will take 8 to 12 minutes to cook completely (turn once about halfway through cooking time); larger, bone-in pieces can take from 40 minutes to 1 hour!

It’s relatively simple to prepare a whole chicken on the grill, even without a rotisserie.

• Start by discarding the fat and giblets from inside the bird and completely rinsing the chicken under cold running water.
• Rub a generous amount of salt and pepper all over the inside and outside of the chicken; add a clove or two of garlic to the cavity for extra flavor.
• Using skewers, tightly close the opening, and tie the legs together with butcher’s twine.
• Place a drip pan in the center of the grill under the grate and surround it with charcoal.
• When coals are covered with grey ash, place the chicken, breast side up, on the grate directly over the drip pan.
• Cover the grill.
• Cook chicken for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, basting with Big Y barbecue sauce or the marinade of your choice every 20 minutes or so.
• Chicken is done when skin is browned and meat is completely cooked through to an internal temperature of 180ºF.
• You’ll need to add about 10 fresh coals to each side of the grill every hour to maintain even heat.
• Let chicken stand for 5 minutes before carving and serving.

For an alternate version of this classic complete with a delicious barbecue sauce and savory spice rub, try this recipe for Whole Barbecue Chicken.

You’ll save cooking time by splitting the chickens in half.