Best Chicken Recipes (Smoked, Grilled & Fried)

Chicken is the weeknight MVP and weekend smokehouse star. Explore grilled, smoked, and pan-seared favorites that actually stay juicy.

About Poultry

When it comes to a tried and true staple, poultry is our go-to. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other proteins and works well with a variety of cooking methods, from slowly smoked to fast fried and everything in between.

Chicken is the ultimate food for adding spices and seasonings. We love poultry recipes for their ease of use and ability to take on a myriad of flavors, working as the perfect vessels for the ultimate comfort foods, game day appetizers, or holiday feasts.

We include duck, turkey, and chicken in our poultry archives, and all recipes can be interchanged with the exception of duck breast, which we do serve at a lower internal temperature than chicken or turkey.

Buying Chicken

When it comes to shopping for chicken, there are a few labels to look out for. Organic, free-range, and all-natural are a few to consider when buying, and they can affect the size and flavor of the bird. All-natural free-range birds tend to be smaller than those we find packaged at most markets and can even have a slightly different color to the fat and skin, depending on diet.

One label we watch out for is ‘enhanced.’ We find that birds with added water or broth don’t have the same texture when cooked.

Be aware, the USDA does not allow the use of hormones in poultry, so “Hormone-free is” misleading.

If you’re interested in buying meat online and trying something new, be sure to check out our guide on our favorite places to order meat online, with Porter Road and Wild Fork Foods being our go-to sources for daily cooking, and D’Artagnan our source for duck.

Chicken Breast Recipes

Turkey Recipes

More Recipes

Turkey Breast Recipes

Ground Turkey Recipes

Whole Turkey Recipes

Turkey Cooking Guides

Turkey Tenderloin Recipes

Other Turkey Recipes

Duck Recipes

Is there anything more luxurious than duck? It screams date night dinner and with these recipes, you’ll be able to bring that home.

Poultry Temperature Guide

Poultry is the one meat that we don’t mess around with temps and strongly urge you to follow USDA guidelines as well. Turkey, chicken, and duck are suggested to be cooked to a minimum safe temperature of 165 °F. And if cooked properly, your whether it’s thighs or wings, breast meat or drumsticks, it can still be juicy and tender when cooked with care. And personally, we love thighs taken to around 180°F.

Breast 165 °FThighs and Legs 175 °FGROUND 165 °F

Take into consideration that the temperature will continue to rise from 5 °F to 10 °F while the meat rests.

With poultry, it’s crucial to hit the temperature spot on, as even the slightest error can make it overdone or underdone, and for food safety, it’s important to be spot on. Always use a quality instant-read digital thermometer inserted away from the bone in the thickest part of the meat.

BASIC TIPS FOR COOKING Poultry:

When it comes to poultry, food safety is a huge concern. We do not advocate washing poultry under running water, as that can help to spread any bacteria. Instead, we suggest working on a clean work surface and patting the chicken dry with paper towels. Be sure to thoroughly clean the area and any tools used afterward as well.

Smoked Chicken Recipes

Our favorite thing to put on the smoker is chicken, and here are just a few examples of why:

Simple Chicken Recipes

Leftover Chicken Recipes

Helpful How-Tos

Overhead shot of spatchcock chicken over a bed of charcoal.Grilling Guide: The Best Wood For Smoking ChickenAn image of a steak available to order online.Where to order meat onlineGirl Carnivore Ooomami powder in wooden bowlWhat is umami and how to use itHoliday Gift Guide for GrillersHow to make a charcuterie boardStanding rib roast on rotisserie with pecan wood foil packet on gas grillSmoking with Wood Chips on A Gas Grill

THE TRICK TO CRISPY CHICKEN SKIN

When it comes to the best crispy chicken skin, there are two hacks we rely on. One is really dry chicken skin. We often air dry our chicken, overnight in the refrigerator to allow the skin to really dry out after it’s been pat dry with paper towels.

The second is a blend of baking soda and cornstarch. We use this with our spices and seasonings when we want those ideal chicken wings without busting out the deep fryer or even on our turkeys for that flawless golden skin.

What to serve with Chicken

Poultry pairs wonderfully with almost anything. From subtle pestos to hearty curry, chicken is the perfect canvas for mixing and matching any great meal and finding a side dish to serve with chicken is always easy! We love it with condiments like Alabama white sauce, crunchy slaws, or smoked veggies like Brussels sprouts, and dishing it up with creamy Dutch oven mac and cheese or alongside a smoked baked potato.

Newest Poultry Recipes: Chicken, Turkey & Duck