How Long Does It Take To Cook Chicken On A Rec Tec Grill?

Cooking chicken on a pellet grill like the Rec Tec is a great way to infuse smoky, wood-fired flavor into chicken. But exactly how long does it take to fully cook chicken on a Rec Tec grill? The cooking time can vary quite a bit depending on a few key factors. In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know to master cooking juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken on your Rec Tec grill.

Factors That Affect Cooking Time

There are several variables that impact total cook times when making chicken on a Rec Tec pellet smoker:

• Size and cut of the chicken – Whole chickens, bone-in pieces, and boneless breasts all require different cook times Boneless cuts cook faster

• Cooking temperature – Higher heat means faster cook times. Lower, slower cooking takes longer but enhances flavor.

• Direct vs indirect heat – Direct heat over the fire cooks chicken quicker. Indirect heat to the side of the fire takes longer.

• Thickness of the meat – Thicker cuts of chicken need more time to cook through to the proper internal temperature.

• Whether it’s frozen – Frozen chicken requires significantly more time to thaw and cook through.

Taking these factors into account will help you estimate cook times and ensure your chicken turns out moist and delicious

Rec Tec Chicken Cook Times

Here are some general guidelines for expected cook times for chicken on a Rec Tec grill:

• Boneless chicken breasts:

  • 1 inch thick – 20-30 minutes at 350°F
  • 1.5 inches thick – 30-40 minutes at 350°F

• Bone-in chicken breasts:

  • 1.5 lbs – 45-60 minutes at 350°F

• Chicken thighs:

  • Bone in – 45-60 minutes at 325°F
  • Boneless – 30-45 minutes at 350°F

• Bone-in chicken legs or drumsticks:

  • 1.5 lbs – 60-75 minutes at 325°F

• Whole chicken (4-6 lbs):

  • 2.5 – 3 hours at 325°F
  • 1.5 – 2 hours at 350°F

For best results, always use a meat thermometer to check internal temperatures rather than relying solely on cook times. Different sizes of chicken may require slightly shorter or longer cook times.

Step-By-Step Guide To Cooking Chicken On A Rec Tec

Follow these simple steps for foolproof, flavorful grilled chicken every time on your Rec Tec:

1. Prepare the Chicken

Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off excess fat. Apply a dry rub, herb seasoning, or marinade if desired. Allow to sit 30 minutes – 2 hours. Meat will absorb more flavor when warmer, not straight from the fridge.

2. Preheat Grill to 325-350°F

Use higher heat for small boneless cuts, lower heat for larger bone-in pieces or whole chickens. Add your favorite smoking wood pellets – I like oak or applewood with chicken.

3. Place Chicken on Grates

For direct cooking, position chicken directly over the fire. For indirect cooking, place chicken to the side of the fire box. Use a disposable foil pan underneath to catch drippings for basting.

4. Cook Until Desired Internal Temperature

Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness, avoiding any bones. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F. For tender, juicy meat rather than dry overcooking, I prefer pulling chicken around 155°F and allowing carryover cooking to bring it to 165°F after resting.

5. Baste and Flip Chicken

Baste chicken with sauce, broth, or pan drippings every 20-30 minutes. Flip chicken halfway through – bone in pieces should cook 30-40 minutes per side. Boneless cuts only need flipping once.

6. Allow Chicken to Rest

Let chicken rest about 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to reabsorb for moist, tender meat. Chicken is perfectly safe at 145°F as long as it eventually reaches 165°F.

7. Serve and Enjoy!

Carve chicken and serve immediately for maximum juiciness. Leftovers will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days. Slice or shred chicken for easy additions to salads, sandwiches, soups and more throughout the week.

Choosing Direct vs Indirect Cooking

You can cook chicken on a Rec Tec using direct or indirect heat, depending on your preferences:

Direct – Chicken is placed directly over the lit firebox. This allows for fast searing and crisping of the skin. Cook times are faster, generally 30-45 minutes for bone-in cuts. Direct heat works well for smaller boneless cuts. Rotate pieces for even cooking.

Indirect – Chicken is placed to the side of the firebox with the grill lid closed. This uses radiant heat from the firebox rather than direct heat right underneath. Indirect cooking takes longer, up to 60-75 minutes for bone-in thigh and leg pieces, but infuses the chicken with rich smoky flavor. It’s ideal for larger bone-in cuts and whole chickens.

I typically use a combination, searing chicken over direct heat for 5-10 minutes per side to get a nice char, then moving to indirect heat to finish cooking slowly until the interior is cooked through. Play around to find your perfect method!

Common Rec Tec Chicken Mistakes To Avoid

It’s easy to end up with overcooked, dry chicken if you’re not careful on a pellet grill. Follow these tips to prevent common pitfalls:

• Don’t cook chicken over direct high heat the whole time. Combining methods prevents burning.

• Use a thermometer and don’t overcook – chicken is safe at 165°F but dries out over 175°F.

• Brine chicken first for extra moisture and flavor.

• Apply sauces only during the last 10-15 minutes to prevent burning.

• Allow chicken to rest before cutting for juicier meat.

• Clean the grill grates well before cooking – old debris can stick to chicken skin.

Handy Rec Tec Chicken Cooking Tips

• Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2 inch thickness so they cook evenly.

• Butterfly bone-in chicken breasts by cutting parallel to the breastbone for quicker, more consistent cooking.

• Add a flavorful compound butter under the skin before cooking.

• Grill bone-in cuts indirect with legs facing fire – they take longer to cook than breast meat.

• Cook chicken on a vertical roasting stand for 360 degree smoke exposure.

• Insert herbs like rosemary and thyme under chicken skin – they’ll infuse flavor as chicken cooks.

Get Perfectly Cooked Chicken Every Time

Cooking chicken on a Rec Tec pellet grill couldn’t be much easier. With the right technique, you’ll enjoy juicy, tender chicken infused with rich hardwood smoke flavor. Use an instant read thermometer and watch your grill temperatures closely. Combining direct and indirect heat prevents drying out and overcooking.

In just 45-90 minutes from start to finish, you can enjoy foolproof barbecue chicken worthy of your next backyard cookout or summer dinner. Experiment with different wood pellet flavors and seasoning blends to put your own unique spin on classic grilled chicken. Your family and friends will keep coming back for more.