How Long to Cook Chicken Breast on a Blackstone Grill for Perfectly Juicy Results

Cooking juicy, flavorful chicken breast on a Blackstone grill is easy when you know the right techniques. With its even heat distribution and excellent searing capabilities, a Blackstone allows you to achieve restaurant-quality results right in your own backyard. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a backyard barbecue, mastering chicken breast on the Blackstone opens up a world of possibilities.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook tender, mouthwatering chicken breast on your Blackstone grill.

Selecting the Right Chicken Breasts

The starting point for any delicious chicken dish is quality ingredients. When selecting chicken breasts for the Blackstone grill, keep these tips in mind

• Go for boneless and skinless Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal because they cook quickly and evenly. The lack of skin also reduces flare-ups.

• Pick uniform thickness: Choose chicken breasts that are relatively equal in thickness, generally around 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. This prevents some pieces from drying out while others remain underdone.

• Buy fresh: Fresh chicken has better flavor and texture than frozen. Only use frozen if absolutely necessary.

• Consider poundage: Individual breasts in the 6-8 oz range are ideal for portioning. Larger breasts may require longer cook times.

Proper Seasoning and Preparation

Proper seasoning and preparation is key to bringing out the chicken’s flavor and ensuring it remains juicy on the grill. Here are some tips:

• Pound to even thickness: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the breasts to an even thickness, which promotes even cooking.

• Marinate: Soak chicken in a marinade for added moisture and flavor. A simple olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herb marinade works great.

• Season generously: Coat both sides with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

• Allow to rest: Let chicken rest at room temperature 30 minutes after seasoning to allow flavors to penetrate.

Step-by-Step Cook Process

With your prep complete, it’s time to head outside and grill. Follow these steps for perfect Blackstone chicken breast:

• Preheat: Get the grill hot to around 400°F. This gives you a nice sear.

• Coat with oil: Lightly coat the hot cooking surface with oil to prevent sticking.

• Sear: Place breasts on grill and sear 3-5 minutes per side until browned.

• Flip occasionally: Flip every few minutes to prevent burning. Move to cooler area if browning too fast.

• Check temperature: Insert a thermometer in thickest part. Remove from grill at 165°F for safety.

• Let rest: Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting to retain juices.

• Slice and serve: Slice on the bias and serve with your favorite sauces and sides.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional pointers to ensure perfect Blackstone chicken breast every time:

• Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound chicken to an even thickness. This promotes even cooking.

• Allow chicken to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes after seasoning. This allows seasonings to fully penetrate.

• Preheat grill to around 400°F to achieve an optimal sear. Higher heat = better browning.

• Resist the urge to move chicken too early during cooking. Allow it to sear undisturbed before flipping.

• Insert a digital meat thermometer to check doneness. Remove at 165°F for food safety.

• Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. This keeps juices locked in.

• Add a marinade, spice rub, or sauce to boost flavor. Get creative with global flavors!

Common Problems and Solutions

Even seasoned grill masters encounter the occasional hiccup. Here are some common issues and fixes:

Problem: Chicken is overcooked and dry.

Solution: Don’t overcook! Use a thermometer and remove from grill at 165°F.

Problem: Chicken sticks and tears on the grill.

Solution: Ensure grill is properly oiled and preheated before cooking. Use metal tongs/spatula to flip.

Problem: Chicken breasts cook unevenly.

Solution: Pound to an even thickness and choose similarly sized breasts. Cook over indirect heat if thinner parts are overcooking.

Problem: Chicken lacks flavor.

Solution: Marinate chicken for added flavor and moisture. Generously season with spices, herbs, sauces, etc before cooking.

Problem: Skin is burning or causing flare-ups.

Solution: Use skinless chicken breasts. If using skin-on, monitor heat closely and move to cooler area of grill if needed.

Cooking Times for Chicken Breasts

The precise cooking time can vary based on thickness of the breasts and heat level, but these general timeframes provide a useful guideline:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast (1/2 inch thick): 5-7 minutes per side

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast (3/4 inch thick): 6-8 minutes per side

• Bone-in chicken breasts: 15-20 minutes per side

• Chicken tenderloins/cutlets (1/2 inch thick): 3-4 minutes per side

For food safety, always use a thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally before removing from grill.

Serving Suggestions

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving delicious Blackstone chicken breast. Here are just a few ideas to get your mouth watering:

• Chicken sandwiches – top grilled chicken with cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc.

• Chicken Caesar salad – slice and serve over romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing and croutons.

• Chicken tacos – shred chicken and top with pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, lime juice.

• Chicken pasta – dice chicken and toss with veggies and pasta in a lemon garlic sauce.

• Chicken kabobs – alternate chicken chunks with peppers, onions, pineapple on skewers.

However you choose to serve it, Blackstone chicken breast cooks up juicy and full of flavor. With the proper technique, you’ll have everyone begging for seconds. Happy grilling!