Get perfectly juicy chicken on the inside and stunning grill marks on the outside with this no-fail recipe. You need boneless, skinless chicken breast, a few seasonings, and a grill (or grill pan!).
The key to perfectly cooked grilled chicken: the internal temperature. Make sure to grill until it reaches around 160ºF in the thickest spot.
Grilled chicken is a summer staple in our house. Heck, even in the dead of winter when it’s snowing, we’re making grilled chicken breast (I have photo and video to prove it)!.
My go-to recipe involves chicken breasts, a few seasonings, and grilling chicken over direct heat at around 400ºF until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
How Long to Cook Chicken on the Grill at 400 Degrees: The Complete Guide
Grilling chicken can seem intimidating, especially when it comes to nailing the right cook time. Undercook it and you risk food poisoning. Overcook it and you’re left with dry, rubbery meat. But have no fear! Grilling chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for juicy, flavorful results every time.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to grill chicken like a pro at 400 degrees. You’ll learn about optimal internal temperatures, recommended cook times based on thickness, the best prep tips, and foolproof techniques to take your grilled chicken from dry to delicious. Let’s get grilling!
The Optimal Internal Temperature for Chicken
Safely and properly cooking chicken starts with knowing the right internal temperature. According to the USDA, chicken needs to reach 165°F at its thickest part to be considered safe to eat. This kills any potentially harmful bacteria like salmonella.
Some people rely on the color of the meat, but don’t be fooled. Chicken can turn white all the way through before hitting 165°F, meaning it’s not quite ready yet. That’s why using an instant-read thermometer is so important. It takes the guesswork out of figuring out doneness.
Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest section of the breast, being careful not to hit bone. Once it registers 165°F, your chicken is good to go. The juices should run clear at this point rather than pink.
Pro Tip: Don’t cook the chicken to 165°F on the grill. Take it off once it hits 155-160°F since the temperature will continue rising as it rests.
Recommended Cook Times Based on Thickness
The thickness of your chicken breasts makes a major difference in grilling times. Thinner breasts cook faster, while thicker ones require more time over the heat. Here are the approximate cook times per side when grilling at 400°F:
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1-inch thick chicken breasts: 6-8 minutes per side
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1.5-inch chicken breasts: 8-10 minutes per side
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2-inch chicken breasts: 10-12 minutes per side
These times are just guidelines. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the breast has reached 165°F at its thickest portion before serving. If it hasn’t yet, continue grilling and checking the temperature periodically until it’s ready.
Plus, it’s smart to keep an eye on the visible signs that it’s done. When it’s done, the chicken should be opaque white and have light charred grill marks.
Pro Tip: Buy chicken breasts of similar thickness so they cook at the same rate. Or, pound thicker ones with a meat mallet so they match the thinner pieces.
Best Prep Tips for Grilling Juicy Chicken
Prepping your chicken correctly before it hits the grill makes all the difference in the finished product. Here are some tips:
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Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Excess moisture on the surface can prevent browning.
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Apply a light coat of oil. This helps promote browning as well as prevent sticking.
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Season generously with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, etc. Get flavor into every nook and cranny.
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Let it come to room temp if chicken was refrigerated. This reduces overall cook time.
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Marinate for added flavor and tenderness. Even 30 minutes makes a difference.
Properly prepped chicken sears beautifully on the grill and locks in juices, while poorly prepped chicken is more likely to dry out.
Foolproof Grilling Techniques
Use these expert techniques for grilling incredibly juicy, flavorful chicken breasts at 400°F every single time:
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Warm up the grill for 15 minutes to get it to the right temperature. This allows for more even cooking.
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To get nice grill marks, sear both sides over direct heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Move to indirect heat to finish.
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Grill over indirect heat, away from the flames, for the remainder of the cook time. This prevents drying out.
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Flip only once during cooking unless boneless skinless breasts. Flipping too often dries them out.
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Brush on a flavorful glaze during the last 5 minutes for added flavor and moisture.
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Rest finished chicken for 5-10 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
Mastering these simple grilling techniques allows you to control temperature and cook time for tender, juicy chicken off the grill.
Troubleshooting Common Grilling Mistakes
Having trouble getting perfect results when grilling that chicken breast? Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them:
Problem: Chicken breasts are charred on the outside but still pink inside.
Important Stuff to Know ⬇️
- Tenderize chicken before cooking.
- Grill at 400ºF over direct heat for around 15-20 minutes.
- Cook until chicken reaches 160ºF.
- Let rest for 10 minutes after grilling.
What to do with Leftover Grilled Chicken
There are so many amazing recipes you can make with leftover chicken! Try:
- ▢ 1 – 1. 5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, 3-4 medium-sized chicken breasts.
- ▢ 2 –3 teaspoons garlic powder
- ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- First, get the chicken ready by using a meat tenderizer to make sure that all of the pieces are the same thickness.
- Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to both sides of the chicken breasts. You can use 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite dry rub instead of this. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. The chicken will taste better after sitting for longer.
- Next, heat the grill to 400ºF and spray cooking spray on the grates.
- For about 7 to 8 minutes, grill chicken breasts over direct heat at 400ºF. After that, turn the chicken breasts over and cook for 8 to 10 more minutes. When the chicken breast reaches 160o to 165o˺ on the inside, it’s done cooking.
- Allow the food to rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes after taking it off the grill. The temperature of the chicken breasts will keep going up by about 5ºF.
- How long it takes to cook will depend on how big your chicken breast is. Less thin chicken breasts will take longer to cook. Make sure the temperature inside the chicken reaches 160ºF. When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165oF, it is fully cooked. If you eat raw chicken, you don’t have to worry about the safety of an instant read thermometer. This great piece from the USDA will teach you more about cooking.
- When you take your chicken off the grill, it will still cook, and the temperature inside will keep going up.
- This recipe was slightly updated on July 19, 2023.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
0 to 400 Chicken
FAQ
How long to grill chicken at 400 degrees?
To grill chicken at 400 degrees, cook it for 8 to 11 minutes, or until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This depends on how big and thick the chicken is. Just make sure that the chicken is as fresh as possible.
What temperature should chicken be grilled?
The best internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. A chicken’s temperature should be taken in the thickest part not just by touching the skin. What temperature do you grill chicken on the grill? A temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for grilling chicken. How long do I grill chicken on each side?.
How long does it take to cook chicken on the grill?
To cook chicken on the grill, it takes 8-11 minutes at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the size and thickness. Cook until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Grilling chicken without burning it requires watching the grill temperature, moving the chicken around to avoid hot spots, and turning the chicken often.
How long do you cook chicken on a charcoal grill?
If you’re a newbie, ti can be hard to know how to charcoal grill chicken. The cooking time for chicken will vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken, boned or deboned, as well as the temperature of your grill. As a general rule, I like to cook chicken breasts without bones for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F.
How do you cook chicken breast on a grill?
Combine salt and pepper in small bowl. Set aside. 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.
How do you cook chicken on a gas grill?
For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place poultry on grill rack, bone side down (if it includes a bone), over medium heat. Cover and grill for the time given below in our instructions for how long to grill chicken. Test for doneness using a meat thermometer.
How long to cook chicken at 400 on a grill?
Grilling chicken at 400°F (200°C) usually takes between 10-30 minutes, depending on the cut and whether it’s bone-in or boneless.
How long should I cook my chicken at 400 for?
Roast the chickens at 400 degrees for about an hour and a half, depending on the size of the birds. The way I figure time for this is to take the average weight of one of the chickens (say, 4. 5 lbs) and calculate 15 minutes per pound (that would be about 67 minutes for a 4. 5 lb chicken).
Is it better to grill chicken at 350 or 400?
For grilling chicken, it’s generally better to use a medium-high heat, which translates to a temperature range of 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). This range allows for a good sear on the outside while ensuring the chicken cooks through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How to cook chicken on the grill without drying it out?
Use indirect heat, brine or marinate the chicken, pound it to an even thickness, and make sure it’s cooked to the right internal temperature (165°F) to keep it from drying out on the grill.