Grilling Guidelines

Take the challenge out of grilling with this guide to cooking times and proper heat.

Poultry

The cooking times that follow refer to cooking without the grill cover, unless otherwise indicated.

Boneless Chicken Breasts

Cooking time: Direct heat, 5 to 6 minutes per side
Internal temperature*: 160° to 165° F

Chicken and Turkey Cutlets

Cooking time: Direct heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side
Internal temperature*: 160° to 165° F

Chicken Wings

Cooking time: Indirect heat, covered, turning occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes
Internal temperature*: 165° F

Bone-in Chicken Breasts, Thighs, and Drumsticks

Cooking time: Indirect heat, covered, turning occasionally, 40 to 50 minutes
Internal temperature*: 160° to 165° F

* Remove food from the grill when it reaches the desired internal temperature, as measured with an instant-read thermometer. Where temperatures appear as a range, the higher temperature represents the internal temperature recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for maximum food safety. The lower temperature represents the internal temperature preferred by the Real Simple test kitchen and approved as safe by many food experts.