Chicken is one of the most popular meats as it’s both a tasty and cost-effective meal option, not to mention once of the healthiest sources of protein. You can find great deals year-round at your local supermarket on wings, breast, etc. But, have you explored the numerous cuts, cooking methods, and marinades that make chicken a family favorite?
ANATOMY:
So, what really came first? The chicken or the egg? Enough with the cluck. Let’s take a moment to first break down the different components of a chicken and the most popular on at the market.
Whole/Halved/Quarter:
Cooking a whole chicken works great for feeding the family. You can smoke it and use for meal prep or store and make multiple tasty meals throughout the week. Be prepared for more cuts and slicing after smoking a whole chicken. An 8-cut chicken is in reference to a chickens 2-drumsticks, 2-thighs, and 2-breasts cut in half across the rib bone (one could contain the wing.)
Wings/Drumette/Flat:
Typically, one of the cheaper cuts of the chicken, these are typically fried and eaten as America’s favorite finger foods.
Leg/Drumstick:
Breast/Tenderloin:
One of the most commonly bought cuts is the chicken breast. It’s most widely used in cooking due to its low-fat content and ease of slicing for multiple meal options. When butchering a whole chicken, the tenderloin is found on the innermost muscle of the breast lying along the breastbone. Tenderloins are more tender when compared to the breast.
Thigh:
Either bought as fillets or cutlets, the chicken thighs are brown meat. They’re higher fat content gives them built in flavor for all types of dishes. You may need to invest a little more time into the trimming aspect to get just the right meat to fat ratio.
WHITE MEAT VS. DARK MEAT:
You’ve probably heard of white meat vs. dark meat. This is in reference to the amount of red fibers found within the muscle. The only real difference is when it comes to cook times and flavor.
The white meat of the chicken will contain mostly white fibers (10% red.) You’ll find white meat in the breast and wings. This will dry out very easily if overcooked. While the difference is minuscule, white meat contains more lean protein. It’s a great option for those following a low-fat diet.
The dark meat of the chicken will contain more red fibers (50% red.) This is mostly found in the drumsticks, legs, and thighs. Because the dark meat contains more inner muscle fat content you’ll find it’s a more flavorful part of the chicken. This added fat allows for a wider internal temperature range (175-190°F.) Dark meat also contains higher levels of iron, vitamin b, vitamin c, and zinc. Giving you a great exposure to nutrients. Connective tissue.
TRIMMING CHICKEN:
There is a good amount of people who don’t bother trimming chicken. However, on chicken breasts between fat, tendon, and some discolorations some cuts might be worth the extra work. Simply use a sharp knife, locate the hard-white fat, and cut it out.
Historically, health nuts will trim the skin off with the idea that most of the fat resides in the skin. A skin-on chicken will cook differently than a skin-off chicken in the way that the skinless will cook faster. Keep in mind that you have a greater chance of losing moisture during the cooking process if your chicken is skinless.
If you’re cooking with tenderloins and plan to remove those tendons there’s a great tip to its extraction. Using a fork, put the tendon between the fork’s prongs. Grab the tendon using your other hand (and a paper towel for added grip) and slide the fork down the meat.
COOKING METHODS:
Gas or Charcoal Grill: The sweetheart of any summer meal is a grilled chicken. Whether it’s in the form of a kabob or just a couple breasts lined up on the grates. You’ll find that flame grilling is a quick and flavorful way to cook your chicken cuts. Be prepared for flare ups and constantly tending to your meat. We’ve got a number of cooking systems that include a BBQ box or griddle for grilling chicken.
Pellet Grill and Hybrid Cooking:
Smoked chicken is a great way to infuse your bird with flavor. The greatest amount of flavor comes when smoking at a lower temperature by using a pellet grill or vertical smoker. We recommend doing a hybrid smoking then grilling method. Smoking a chicken for an extended period of time can lead to a rubbery bird. So, smoke first, then turn up your pellet grill to a higher temperature setting to crisp up the skin. This way the fat start to render and break down giving you juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. If you have the time and resources to smoke your chicken, try it out!
Oven-Baked:
Probably the most common cooking method for chicken is oven-baked. It’s simple and most households come standard with an oven. On the flip side, baked chicken lacks in flavor so you’ll really have to focus on a good marinade/seasoning pairing as it’s a pretty bland cooking method. If you camp often and wish you could take fresh oven-baked chicken with you, add an Outdoor Oven to your cooking collection! Try this Dutch oven recipe!
Fried:
Of course, you’ve heard of fried chicken! But, have you tried your hand at homemade? Many get discouraged by the daunting thought of large pots of bubbling oils, but it’s much simpler than that. You’ll develop a crispy crust using a simple batter mix and cooking oils. A cooking system or Sidekick pellet grill attachment allows for you to add a pot for fried chicken. Use the same hybrid method we talked about above. Smoke, then fry your chicken wings for the best result.
THAWING CHICKEN:
Refrigerator Method:
Keep the chicken in its original wrapping and place it in a fridge set to 40°F or below. You can typically account for 6 hours / pound.
Cold Water Method:
In its original wrapping, submerge the chicken in cold water. Replace the water with cold water every half hour or so. A large sink, bucket, or pot works well for this method. If you are unsure you have a large enough pot to hold your chicken try the 24 qt. or 32 qt. aluminum pots. You can typically account for 30 minutes / pound.
Short On Time?
If you’ve forgotten to thaw those chicken breast, thighs, wings or legs-don’t stress! In fact, smoke adheres well to a cold bird. Just set your grill to Low Smoke, then placing the frozen chicken directly on the grate. After about 30 minutes, the surface area is wet enough for seasoning. Let it smoke and thaw for another 30 minutes and then continue to cook as you normally would. (This method is not recommended for full birds due to the size and food safety temps.)
WOOD:
SEASONING/SAUCES/CHICKEN MARINADES:
Seasoning a chicken (or dry brining) is the same as a turkey! Combine a variety of dry seasonings in a bowl then sprinkle/rub directly on the meat. You can do this immediately before you pop your chicken into your oven or smoker or leave it on for an extended period of time before cooking (24-72 hours.) Keep in mind, chicken is a blank canvas that will take to a number of different flavors, the sky is the limit! When it comes to grilled chicken seasonings you can keep it simple. By opting to leave the skin on you’re maintaining that fat, which is built in flavor!
Similar to wet brining, marinating a chicken is a popular method that adds flavor to your bird. It’s the process of adding seasonings to acidic liquids (wine, vinegar, lemon juice, etc.) and soaking your meat hours. The acidic liquid also tenderizes the meat by breaking down the connective tissues. Different cuts of meat may require more or less time during the soaking process. Careful to not let them sit too long, some tender cuts might turn soft and mushy. Between 30 minutes and 3-4 hours is acceptable.
Sauce is a whole other ball game! You often hear sauces and chicken in the same sentence when referencing killer wings. Between big box stores, locally bottled, or your own secret recipe, there’s no shortage of sauces that pair well with chicken. Use it at the end for dipping/serving or brush it on during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling for a caramelized twist.
TIME AND TEMP:
There’s only two temperatures you need to worry about, what tastes best and what’s safe. If you follow our recipe blog, you’ll notice that we don’t present exact cook times. We know that every piece of meat is different, and cooks differently. Depending on size, chicken cut, and cooking method, nothing can be exact. We cannot stress enough that the only way to ensure accurate temperature readings is by monitoring your chicken?s internal temperature using a thermometer or included meat probe. The USDA advises bringing your chicken to 165°F to eliminate the presence of salmonella. However, chicken thighs hit their peak taste when they?ve reached 175-190°F.
Grilled chicken breasts on a propane and charcoal grill may only take 10-15 minutes. Smoking them on a pellet grill at 225°F can be anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Whereas, oven baked breasts at 350-400°F can be around 20-35 minutes. Just like other popular cuts of meat, bones will add more cooking time to your bird. And, of course whole chickens will take longer in every category to cook all the way through.
RESTING CHICKEN:
Chicken can absolutely benefit from a little rest. By resting your chicken 5-10 minutes it allows the juices to redistribute properly.
SLICING:
You’ll likely only be focused on slicing if you cooked a whole chicken. If that’s the case, it’s identical to carving a turkey.
1. Remove the leg and wings by cutting at the joint where it meets the body.
2. Cut along the backbone.
3. Cut in from the side and meet the cut made along the backbone (from step 2.)
4. Lift out the entire breast and slice against the grain.
SERVING:
Side Dishes: It’s safe to say when planning a meal with chicken as your main entrée a vegetable dish will pair nicely. Try mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, green beans, potatoes, corn on the cob, or even a coleslaw.
Carbs can be garlic bread, a healthy rice dish, etc. You really can’t go wrong.
STORING, LEFTOVERS, REHEATING:
Store chicken properly in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It’s easy to dry out the chicken when reheating. We suggest reheating in the oven or stove top when possible. Heat to 350°F or medium heat and add a couple tablespoons of water or stock to the bottom of the dish to create some moisture. Reheat until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Chicken also freezes well. You can freeze cooked chicken for up to three months.
As far as leftovers go, the possibilities are endless. Chicken noodle soup, tacos, chicken salad sandwiches, enchiladas, or chop and toss on a salad.
A CAMP CHEF CHICKEN:
Camp Chef has a variety of products that help make cooking chicken a walk in the park. All of our pellet grills have the capacity to smoke an entire chicken, including the Woodwind WIFI 24!
A Camp Chef-style chicken means more than just using our products, it also provides a sense of community. Be sure to check out all the great pro tips in the comment section below given by real Camp Chef chicken smokers and grillers. If you’ re on Facebook and have a Camp Chef pellet grill, join this customer-ran pellet grill group called Camp Chef Smoker Smokers.
What are some of your chicken tips, tricks, sauces for serving? Leave us a comment below!
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