Cooking chicken on a George Foreman grill is a quick and easy way to make delicious and juicy chicken breasts in just minutes. But knowing exactly how long to cook chicken on a George Foreman to get it perfectly cooked can be tricky. In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know to cook chicken breasts perfectly every time on your George Foreman grill.
What is a George Foreman Grill?
A George Foreman grill is a countertop electric grill that uses a clamshell design to cook food between two heated plates. It’s called a contact grill because the food makes direct contact with the grilling surface. George Foreman grills are known for their fast cooking times and how they can cook food using little to no oil.
The main benefits of using a George Foreman grill are
- Super fast cooking times – chicken can be cooked in just 4-7 minutes
- Makes juicy and flavorful chicken without drying it out
- Little to no oil needed for cooking
- Easy to use and clean up
- Takes up minimal counter space
How Does Cooking Chicken on a George Foreman Grill Work?
Cooking on a George Foreman grill couldn’t be easier, Here’s a quick overview
- Season or marinate raw chicken as desired. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
- Preheat the grill for around 5 minutes before cooking.
- Place chicken on the hot grill, close the lid, and cook for the recommended time.
- The hot grill plates will cook the chicken quickly from both the top and bottom at the same time.
- Check for doneness and remove when chicken is fully cooked.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
The George Foreman grill cooks food quickly by applying heat from both sides simultaneously. This means you don’t have to flip the chicken while it cooks – just close the lid and let the grill do the work!
How Long Should You Cook Chicken on a George Foreman Grill?
So how long exactly should you cook chicken breasts on a George Foreman to ensure they are safe to eat and not dried out?
There are a few factors that determine the cooking time:
Thickness of the chicken breast – The thinner the breast, the less time needed. Thinner breasts around 1/2 inch thick take 4-5 minutes per side. Thicker breasts around 3/4 – 1 inch may need 6-8 minutes per side.
Amount of chicken – Cooking more chicken breasts at once will increase the overall cooking time. For example, cooking two breasts may take 1-2 minutes longer than just one.
Temp of the grill – A fully preheated grill will cook chicken faster than one that hasn’t preheated. Always preheat the grill before cooking.
Type of George Foreman grill – Some models heat up quicker and cook faster than others. Refer to your specific grill manual for recommended cooking times.
Doneness preference – Chicken cooked just until no longer pink inside will take slightly less time than chicken cooked until well done.
Taking all these factors into account, here are general guidelines for how long to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a George Foreman grill:
- 1/2 inch thick breast – 4-5 minutes per side
- 3/4 inch thick breast – 6-7 minutes per side
- 1 inch thick breast – 7-8 minutes per side
- Add 1-2 minutes more per side for multiple breasts
Always use a food thermometer to confirm chicken reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. If using a George Foreman that only cooks from one side, double the cook times.
Tips for Cooking Juicy George Foreman Grill Chicken
Follow these tips for ensuring tender, juicy chicken off your George Foreman every time:
-
Use thinner chicken breasts – Thinner breasts around 1/2 inch thick cook the fastest and most evenly. Pound thicker breasts to flatten.
-
Preheat properly – Heat the grill for at least 5 minutes first before cooking. A fully heated grill ensures quick, even cooking.
-
Use a thermometer – Test temperature using an instant read thermometer to prevent overcooking.
-
Brush with oil – Coating the chicken lightly in oil helps keep it juicy. Olive oil or avocado oil work well.
-
Clean the grill – A dirty grill can cause chicken to stick. Clean the plates well before preheating.
-
Avoid moving chicken – Flipping or moving chicken can tear the meat and dry it out. Leave it alone while cooking.
-
Let it rest – Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
Common George Foreman Grill Chicken Recipes
There are endless ways to flavor and prepare chicken on a George Foreman. Here are some of the most popular recipes:
Simple Lemon Herb Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Dried basil
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges
Brush chicken with olive oil and season with garlic powder, basil, salt, and pepper. Grill 4-5 minutes per side until 165°F. Serve with lemon wedges.
BBQ Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- BBQ rub or sauce
- Oil
Coat chicken in oil then your favorite BBQ seasoning rub or sauce. Grill 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
Buffalo Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Ranch dressing
Grill chicken breasts 5 minutes per side. Toss in buffalo sauce then serve with ranch dressing.
Teriyaki Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Teriyaki marinade or sauce
- Sesame seeds
Marinate chicken in teriyaki sauce for 30 mins or brush with sauce before grilling. Cook 6 minutes per side. Garnish with sesame seeds.
Fajita Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Fajita seasoning
- Bell peppers and onions
- Tortillas
Season chicken with fajita seasoning. Grill 5 minutes per side. Saute peppers and onions. Wrap in tortillas.
Cooking Chicken on a George Foreman Grill FAQs
Can you cook frozen chicken on a George Foreman?
It’s not recommended. Always thaw chicken breasts completely first before cooking. Microwave or place in cold water to thaw frozen chicken.
Should you flip the chicken while cooking?
Flipping is unnecessary since the George Foreman grills from both sides at once. Leave chicken alone for best results.
What temperature should chicken be when done?
Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F minimum internal temperature. Check with a food thermometer to avoid undercooking.
What happens if you overcook chicken on it?
Overcooking can lead to dry, rubbery chicken. Follow cook times and use a thermometer to prevent overcooking.
How do you keep George Foreman chicken juicy?
Pound chicken to an even thickness, preheat the grill, use a thermometer to prevent overcooking, brush with oil, and let rest before serving.
Perfectly Cooked George Foreman Chicken Made Easy
Cooking moist and delicious chicken breast on a George Foreman grill couldn’t be any easier. With the right thickness chicken, a fully heated grill, and a thermometer to monitor doneness, you can have perfection chicken in just minutes with little effort. Try out different seasoning blends and sauces to enjoy a quick and healthy chicken dinner anytime.
Delicious Chicken Drumsticks on a George Foreman Grill
- 4 chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon garlic-infused olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked fresh pepper
- 1 tablespoon herb blend of your choice
- Rinse the chicken legs and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the oil, salt, pepper, and herbs on a plate.
- Put the legs in the wet rub and turn to coat. Don’t be afraid to get your hands in there to press the mixture into the skin of the meat.
- Put this aside and leave to marinate for 60 to 90 minutes.
- Preheat your GF contact grill to high with the top closed. This takes approximately 5 minutes.
- When the grill is hot, place the drums on the grill alternating the fat and thin portions. In other words, lay them head to toe, side by side so they will fit. Close the top. Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Grill and rotate/change position every 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170°F at the thickest portion. The heftiest pieces may take 20 minutes. You will know when the legs are cooked through when the skin side up is bubbling upon opening the grill.
- Remove the drumsticks to a clean cutting board and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with plenty of napkins as these are best eaten by hand.
- If you can find olive oil with garlic infused into it you will not end up with burnt pieces of fresh garlic after grilling. Any grill can be rough on fresh garlic, turning it bitter. Otherwise, just add 1/4 tsp garlic powder to the rub.
- My go-to herb blend for chicken is Herbes de Provence. Feel free to use an Italian seasoning blend, Creole mix, jerk seasoning, or even just salt and pepper. There are no rules when it comes to your preference.