Versatile, lean, and totally tasty, chicken is a winner with almost any cooking method, including on the grill! Both light meat and dark benefit from the smoky nuances imbued by the BBQ, making everything from drumsticks and thighs to breasts and wings a perfect pick. Whichever you choose, step up your chicken grilling game with these helpful tips from our pros!

• Start with premium poultry like our Fresh to Market Chicken, which is raised cage-free and vegetarian-fed with no antibiotics ever. It’s also pure air-chilled, a process that helps the meat stay fresh, tender, and flavorful without any added water weight.
• If starting with a whole bird, your Butcher can spatchcock it (flattened for faster cooking) for extra-easy grilling—all you have to do is ask!
• For extra flavor, start with meat that’s already marinated with our signature seasonings like Herb & Garlic, Korean Style, Teriyaki with Pineapple, or your favorite flavor.
• To avoid flare-ups, remove excess fat and avoid marinades with too much oil.
• High-sugar marinades will tend to burn if the heat is too high, so be sure to mind the temperature.
• Use a meat thermometer to make sure white meat doesn’t dry out from being overcooked. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F.
• Dark meat is more forgiving and becomes more tender with higher internal temperature, so you have a little more leeway.
• For crispy skin, start grilling chicken skin-side down over direct heat until browned. When the fat begins to render, move to medium, indirect heat for most of the cooking time.

Ready to grill? Find all your favorites (and a few new ones!) at your local Nugget Market’s Meat Department and talk to one of our talented butchers for even more tips and tricks like these!

Selection may vary by store.