how do you grill bone in chicken breast on a weber gas grill

Grilling Bone-In Chicken Breasts on a Weber Gas Grill: The Ultimate Guide

Grilling juicy flavorful bone-in chicken breasts may seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think with a few simple tips. As an avid griller who loves hosting backyard barbecues I’ve learned how to perfectly cook bone-in chicken breasts on my Weber gas grill every time.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my secrets for choosing the right chicken, preparing the grill, seasoning and cooking chicken, and getting tender, juicy results. Whether you’re a grilling novice or Weber gas grill pro, you’ll learn techniques to master grilled bone-in chicken breasts. Let’s get started!

Choosing Your Chicken

The first step is selecting quality boneless chicken breasts. Here are a few tips:

• Opt for bone-in over boneless – the bone helps keep moisture in.

• Choose breasts that are similar in size for even cooking.

• Estimate roughly 1 breast per person, depending on size.

• Look for thicker breasts around 1 1⁄2 inches for juicier meat.

• Make sure the skin is intact, not torn or cut.

Preparing Your Weber Gas Grill

Now it’s time to prep your grill for cooking. Follow this checklist:

• Clean the grates well with a grill brush to prevent sticking.

• Preheat your grill on high heat for 10-15 minutes.

• Maintain a direct high heat of around 450°F to cook chicken.

• Leave the lid open as you grill to cook chicken faster.

• Oil the hot grates lightly with cooking spray or oil before adding chicken.

Seasoning Your Chicken Breasts

The right seasoning makes all the difference for flavorful, juicy chicken. Consider these seasoning tips:

• Pat chicken dry first so seasoning sticks better.

• Use a dry rub, marinade, herbs or simple salt and pepper.

• Coat both sides evenly for well-balanced flavor.

• Let chicken sit at room temperature 30 minutes after seasoning.

• For extra flavor, season under the skin too.

Grilling Your Chicken Breasts

Now comes the fun part – firing up those grates and cooking your chicken! Follow these pointers:

• Place chicken on hot grill skin-side down first.

• Grill for 5-6 minutes until browned, then flip.

• Cook for 4-5 minutes more on second side until done.

• Move chicken to indirect heat if flare-ups occur.

• Insert a meat thermometer to check doneness – aim for 165°F.

• Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.

• Watch thickness – thicker breasts may need a few more minutes.

• Close lid if chicken is taking too long to cook through.

That’s all there is to it! In 10-15 minutes, you’ll have irresistibly tender and flavorful grilled bone-in chicken breasts. Pair them with veggies or sides and get ready for your next delicious backyard barbecue!

To grill chicken breasts on a gas grill without drying them out, utilize a two-zone cooking setup, pre-soak the chicken in a brine or marinade, and ensure it’s cooked to the proper internal temperature.