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Six Tips For Grilling Chicken Breasts Over The Flame (On A Pellet Grill)

Grilling chicken breasts can be a rewarding experience when done right. Unfortunately, a lot of people get this wrong and end up with overcooked dry chicken. Whether you're new to the game or seeking to refine your grilling skills, grilling chicken breast is a necessary skill that should be practiced often. Let’s dive into the tips and techniques our team of experts uses to get juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked chicken breasts every time.

1: Trimming and Preparing 

Before grilling, it's essential to trim and prepare the chicken breasts properly. Remove any excess fat or cartilage from the breasts using a sharp boning knife.

Additionally, slice the breasts horizontally or pound them to an even thickness with a mallet. This ensures faster grilling, even cooking, and creates more surface area for seasoning. Cutting the chicken evenly also ensures everything cooks at the same rate and comes off the grill at the same time.

2: Seasoning and Flavoring 

Seasoning is key to enhancing the flavor of grilled chicken breasts. Season the breasts generously with your preferred rub or seasoning blend. A light coating of oil helps the seasoning adhere to the meat. For even more flavor, you can also dry brine, wet brine or marinate for a few hours prior to cooking.

3: Grilling Setup 

For optimal results, set up your grill for direct grilling, ensuring the chicken breasts are exposed to the flame. This direct flame imparts delicious flavor and creates beautiful color on the chicken.

For over the flame cooking on the Yoder Smokers YS640s pellet grill, set the grill temperature at 450°F. Remove the diffuser under the main grates and use a set of Grillgrates brand grill grates directly over the flame to achieve higher temperatures and even heat distribution. The VDD (Variable Displacement Dampener) should be pushed all of the way to the left.

4: Grilling Technique 

Once the grill is hot and ready, place the seasoned chicken breasts directly over the flame. Keep the grill lid closed to trap the heat and cook the chicken evenly. Monitor the cooking process closely, flipping the breasts once the chicken releases from the grate and ensuring even cooking on both sides. If your chicken breasts are cooking too quickly, either open the door to slow the cooking process or move the chicken to a lower temperature portion of the grill.

5: Monitor Temperature 

To avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken breasts, it's crucial to monitor their internal temperature using a digital thermometer. Aim for a target internal temperature of 155°F to 160°F for juicy, tender chicken. Remember that the chicken will continue to cook after being removed from the grill due to residual heat, so allow for a few degrees of carryover cooking.

6: Resting and Serving 

Once the chicken breasts reach the desired temperature, remove them from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum juiciness and tenderness.

In conclusion

grilling chicken breasts over an open flame on a pellet grill is a straightforward yet satisfying process. By following these tips and techniques, you'll deliver delicious results every time. So fire up the grill, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy perfectly grilled chicken breasts! Whether you're serving the chickenbreasts whole or slicing them for salads, tacos, or other dishes, they're sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

Happy Grilling!