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An American Story

The history of grilling at Kingsford is a classic American story. It all started in 1919 when Edward G. Kingsford helped Henry Ford procure a stretch of timberland to supply wood for his auto plants.

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Preserve the Pit

The history of grilling at Kingsford is a classic American story. It all started in 1919 when Edward G. Kingsford helped Henry Ford procure a stretch of timberland to supply wood for his auto plants.

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American Pride

An American-made company founded over 100 years ago, Kingsford has a lot to be proud of. Our employees have been continuing the family tradition in backyards across the nation.

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The Kingsford Difference

Kingsford has been fueling legendary grills since 1920, and we’re still America’s #1 charcoal for good reason. Our briquets light faster, burn longer, and deliver the high heat you need for exceptional results. Whether you’re searing steaks or savoring smoky flavors, one thing’s for certain — nothing beats the original.

What You'll Need

Before starting, make sure you have everything on this list. We recommend Kingsford® Original Charcoal Briquets. And don’t skip the digital meat thermometer — it’s the best way to get your chicken breasts done right.

FUELS AND TOOLS
  • Large, Resealable Glad® Plastic Bag

  • Digital Meat Thermometer

  • Long-Handled Tongs or Long-Handled Metal Spatula

  • Paper Towels

INGREDIENTS
  • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

  • Water

  • Kosher Salt

  • Pepper

  • Sugar-Based Glaze or Sauce, or Marinade (Optional )

  • Herbs (Optional)

  • Cooking Oil

How to Prep

How to Prep

    Preparing the Chicken Breast:
  • Remove chicken from packaging and pat dry to remove excess moisture to achieve the best results.

  • Allow chicken breast to come to room temperature (never longer than 2 hours) before grilling to ensure even cooking and flavor.

  • Trimming Chicken Breast:
  • If your chicken breasts have tenderloins attached, use a knife to remove them, and save them for another dish.

  • Seasoning Your Chicken Breast:
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry out easily, so we highly recommend brining or marinating before cooking.

  • For the brine, combine ¼ cup of salt with 4 cups of water in a large, resealable plastic bag. Or use your favorite homemade or store-bought marinade.

  • Pour the liquid over the chicken breasts, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.

  • After the chicken breasts are finished brining or marinating, discard the used brine or marinade.

  • If you choose not to brine or marinate, simply season the chicken breast to your liking.

  • Add Extra Flavor:
  • Suggested rubs: Lemon herb, garlic parmesan, smoky BBQ, Cajun spice, chipotle lime

  • Suggested marinades: Lemon herb, teriyaki, Italian dressing, honey mustard, citrus chili

  • Suggested injections: Chicken broth, citrus juice, garlic herb, teriyaki, beer

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How to Build Your Fire

How to Build Your Fire

  • Suggested Kingsford® Charcoal: Looking for a smoky wood flavor? Try Hickory or Mesquite. For a sweeter smoky wood flavor, use Applewood.

  • Give your top grill grate a good brushing and set it aside. Pour Kingsford® Original Charcoal Briquets into a chimney — or pour them in a mound and light. Wait for coals to light fully.

  • Once the charcoal turns gray with ash, arrange coals in a Two-Zone Method: coals on one side of the grill and a void on the other.

  • Coals should be at Medium Heat — around 350 to 450°F. How to control the heat when grilling with charcoal.

  • Add the grate and let it heat up.

  • When you’re at temp, put cooking oil on a folded paper towel. Grab the oiled paper towel with tongs and oil the grate thoroughly. This will prevent the skinless chicken breasts from sticking to the grate.

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How Long to Grill & Temperature

How Long to Grill & Temperature

  • Place the chicken breasts on the hottest part of the grate, directly above the coals and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping only once, until golden brown.

  • When the chicken breasts are browned, move them to the cooler side of the grate.

  • Bring the temperature up to 350°F and replace the lid. How to control the heat when grilling with charcoal.

  • After about 9 minutes on the grill, insert the digital meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to check the internal temperature. Grill until the chicken breasts reach an internal temp of 165°F.

The Finish

The Finish

    How to Serve Grilled Chicken:
  • Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board or platter, loosely cover with aluminum foil and rest for 5 minutes before serving. Don’t skip this step! It makes a world of difference in tenderness and tasty juices.

  • Now, it’s time to serve and enjoy!

  • Suggested Pairings:
    • Grilled vegetables
    • Corn on the cob
    • Coleslaw
    • Quinoa salad
  • How to Store Grilled Chicken:
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends storing leftovers for no more than 3-4 days.

    For more information on food storage, consult the links below:

  • Cold Food Storage Chart

  • 4 Steps to Food Safety

  • Foodsafety.gov

  • How to Reheat Grilled Chicken:
  • Leftover chicken should be reheated low and slow to avoid drying. Use low oven heat (250°F) or stovetop with a lid, adding a splash of liquid (water, broth, salsa) and heat until it reaches a 165°F internal temp. Be careful not to overheat it! Finally, let it rest for a few minutes before digging in.

  • For safe meat and other food preparation, reference the USDA website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Grilling 101

HOW TO GRILL WITH CHARCOAL

Need the fundamentals? Learn how to get started with charcoal, pellets or our signature flavors.

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Vegetable skewers on a grill with a basting brush brushing oil