Are you a grilled chicken quarter lover? Like chicken thighs and drumsticks, you can make them accessible and flavorful. You’ll adore chicken quarters because they have lovely golden and crispy skin and are correctly seasoned.
Folks often ask how long it takes to grill chicken quarters on charcoal. grilling chicken quarters need more cooking time in the oven because they are more significant chunks of meat with a bone and more surface area. It’s a good idea to cook chicken quarters for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or 15 minutes on each side.
To juicy perfection, your grill can cook these chicken quarters in just a few minutes. Let us explore everything about it in detail.
How Long To Grill Chicken Quarters on a Charcoal Grill?
Chicken quarters need more time in the oven to cook because they are more significant chunks of meat with more surface area and a bone. It’s a good idea to heat chicken quarters grill for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or 15 minutes on each side.
Experts cook the meat for 10 minutes on each side and continue cooking it over indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Once a digital meat thermometer registers 165 degrees, the chicken roasts slowly over indirect heat while cooking the outside more quickly.
Ensure the thickest section of the chicken thigh is where you are taking the internal temperature reading and that the temperature probe is not in contact with any bones.
How to Build A Charcoal Fire In The Grill
The first step in mastering grilled chicken quarters is understanding how to deal with charcoal and what visual clues indicate that your grill is ready for use.
- Purchase high-quality charcoal, lighter fluid, and a long-stemmed lighter.
- Keep the charcoal tightly in a chimney so that each coal burns uniformly. The grill can then be covered with hot coals.
- When needed, you can add another layer of coal on top of the first one that’s burning. During 10 to 15 minutes, the first burning layer will set the second layer on fire, giving you more time to grill.
- Place the charcoal on a mound in the grill’s middle or the charcoal chimney.
- Use lighter fluid as directed or light charcoal according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Before adding it to the charcoal grill, it must burn steadily for three to five minutes. If you’ll need it, add another coat of charcoal on top of this one.
- Put the charcoal grill’s grill grate back in place. Never cover the grill with the lid when the charcoal gets hot.
- Wait to start cooking until the charcoal turns ashen or white. When ready, several modern varieties of acacia wood charcoal burn orange-red.
Grill is ready to prepare food. The charcoal is ready when you can hold your palm above the grill for two seconds without removing it.
Do You Flip Chicken Quarters on the Grill?
This heavily depends on the type of chicken you’re cooking. Experts advise grilling directly over medium-high heat and frequently turning if you only use an oil and dry rub. But in the case when you are using homemade barbecue sauce for this dish, flipping is optional as frequently. You begin by performing a few flips over direct heat.
What Temperature Do You Grill Chicken Quarters At?
The temperature you run your grill is far more crucial than the seasoning, BBQ sauce, or wood you use to create more smoke flavor. Run it too low, and your skin will get rubbery. If you turn it on too high, you risk scorching the skin, seasoning, or sauce. Thus, use caution when preparing any skin-on chicken or grilled chicken quarters. Experts advise setting the grill to 375 degrees. The hot temperature makes the skin crispy without scorching sauce or flavor.
Expert Tips
- Always begin with fresh, non-frozen meat. If it is frozen, it will take longer to thaw, increasing the chance of drying up.
- Before grilling, let the chicken sit on the counter for about 20 minutes.
- At 350 degrees, grill. Anything hotter risks leaving the interior raw and burning the outside.
- Before placing the chicken on the grill, put out charcoal flare-ups. The food may burn during flare-ups, and the interior will remain uncooked.
- Invest in a wireless thermometer.
What Is The Hand Test for Grilling?
While grilling chicken over charcoal, only some can access a grilling thermometer. The grilled hand test reveals an approximation of the fire’s temperature. Hold your hand three inches or so above the grill’s cooking surface. Determine how long you can hold your hand stationary there before it becomes uncomfortable.
The ideal temperature for grilling is when you can hold your palm over the hot coals for 2 seconds. Wait for the fire to die if it gets too hot. Using oven mitts, carefully remove the grill rack if it’s too chilly, and add extra charcoal.
Conclusion
Chicken quarters are the yummiest part, and it takes a bit more time to grill because they are bigger chunks of meat. Chicken quarters are grilled for 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees (depending upon thickness) or roughly 15 minutes on each side. Use a thermometer or hand practice to check the fire’s temperature. Everyone will say wow when you grill chicken quarters on a charcoal grill. Enjoy Grillingļ