Catalina Glazed Grilled Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to grill chicken breast without overcooking? ›

Place the chicken on the high heat side of the grill, close the lid, and grill until it browns on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Then flip the breasts over, and move them to the medium-low heat side to finish cooking (with the lid closed); it will take 10 to 15 minutes to reach 160°F.

You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat. Generally, bone-in cuts of chicken, such as wings, drumsticks and breasts, will require a longer marinade time than their boneless counterparts.

1) Marinate the chicken in water, wine, or other liquids for up to an hour before cooking. This will tenderize the meat and add flavor. 2) Slowly cook the chicken on low heat with a lid on top for about 15-20 minutes per pound of chicken. The lid prevents the chicken from drying out too much.

Place chicken breasts on plate and pat dry with clean paper towel. Sprinkle both sides with a generous amount of the salt and pepper mix. Heat grill to medium heat (approximately 400 degrees F). Place chicken on direct heat (direct flame) and cook at medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.

For the most part, chicken should be grilled at 350º to 450º F over direct or indirect medium heat. The only exception is when you're smoking the chicken. Often used with wings or whole chickens, smoking meat involves indirect cooking over very low heat, 225º to 250º F, with the addition of smoldering wood chunks.

While poking holes in your chicken while marinating it can be helpful, it's not mandatory. Mostly, this method helps if you don't have several hours to spare when marinating your poultry. Poking holes in your chicken can allow the marinade to penetrate better in a shorter period.

Marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor to smaller pieces of meat. Boneless, thinner cuts of chicken like tenders — or any other cuts that are purchased as thin strips or pieces that are lightly pounded — can benefit from a quick marinade if you find you are pressed for a time.

When marinating meat, longer is not always better. And in fact, depending on certain variables, there is a point at which the quality of that meat will start to deteriorate if you marinate it for too long before cooking. Instead of flavorful, tender meat, you could end up with a mushy mess.

However, I find that a wet brine makes for a much moister cut of meat. To do this, dissolve 1/4 cup of salt in a cup of hot water and then dilute it with three cups of cold water. Add the chicken breasts and let sit for about an hour — but even as little as 15 minutes can help.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

Overcooking might play a role in your chicken's tire-like texture. Leaving chicken in a pan, oven, or grill for just a little too long can suck the moisture right out and leave you with a dry, rubbery bird. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out.

Cook Chicken: Once your grill is heated, oil the grill grates and add the chicken. Grill the chicken about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Because the cutlets are thin, they will cook quickly.

How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Breast. “A 7-9 ounce boneless breast should cook for around 12-16 minutes, depending on the temperature of the grill,” says McLendon. “For gas or electric grills, the sweet spot is usually between high and medium-high [heat] or between 475-525 degrees.