The Ultimate Guide to Griddled Chicken: Recipes, Tips, and Techniques
Griddled chicken is a delicious, healthy, and versatile way to enjoy chicken, capturing the flavours of grilling without needing an outdoor setup. Perfect for any season, griddling uses high heat and minimal oil, creating a beautifully seared crust and juicy interior. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or something to impress guests, griddled chicken is an ideal option that’s easily customised to suit various tastes and dietary preferences.
What is Griddling?
Griddling is a cooking technique that involves cooking food on a flat, ridged surface at high temperatures, usually a cast-iron griddle or a hob grill pan. These ridges are essential, as they provide the beautiful grill marks we associate with barbecued food, adding a touch of smokiness and enhancing the food's appearance. The high heat seals in the moisture and flavour while creating a slight char that makes griddled chicken so enjoyable.
Why Griddle Chicken?
Griddled chicken is an excellent option for a variety of reasons:
- Healthier Cooking: Compared to frying, griddling requires little oil, and excess fat can drip away from the chicken, making it a lighter option.
- Efficient Cooking: Griddling is relatively quick, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
- Versatile Flavours: Griddled chicken works with a wide array of marinades, sauces, and seasonings, so you can adapt it to fit any cuisine or dietary need.
- Great for Meal Prep: Griddled chicken can be stored in the fridge for several days or frozen for longer-term storage, making it a great addition to weekly meal planning.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best way to prepare, cook, and serve griddled chicken, complete with recipes that will have you griddling like a pro!
Essential Tools for Perfect Griddled Chicken
Before diving into recipes, it’s worth noting a few essential tools that will help you achieve the best results:
- Pep Pans Griddle Pan: A lighweight, cast aluminium griddle pan is ideal for high-heat cooking. It retains heat well and distributes it evenly, resulting in a perfect sear.
- Kitchen Tongs: Tongs make flipping chicken easy without piercing it, which helps retain moisture.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 75°C to ensure it's safe to eat. An instant-read thermometer is a handy tool to avoid under- or overcooking.
- Marinating Bags or Containers: A good marinade can make all the difference, so have bags or containers on hand for soaking your chicken in tasty spices and herbs.
Preparing Your Chicken for Griddling
The secret to juicy, flavourful griddled chicken lies in proper preparation. Here are a few steps to consider before you start cooking:
1. Choose the Right Cut
- Chicken Breasts: Popular for griddling because they cook quickly and provide a lean source of protein. However, they can dry out if not cooked correctly.
- Chicken Thighs: A bit fattier than breasts but generally more forgiving if slightly overcooked. They offer a richer flavour and stay moist.
2. Pound the Chicken
To ensure even cooking, especially with chicken breasts, it’s helpful to pound them to an even thickness. This prevents the edges from overcooking before the centre is fully done.
3. Marinate for Extra Flavour
While griddled chicken can be seasoned with just salt and pepper, a marinade infuses the meat with extra flavour and tenderness. Marinade your chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) in the fridge for the best results. We’ll cover specific marinades in the recipe section.
4. Preheat the Griddle
Preheat your griddle pan until it’s very hot. This high temperature is crucial for searing the chicken, locking in the juices, and achieving the distinctive griddle marks.
Griddled Chicken Recipes
1. Simple Lemon and Herb Griddled Chicken
This recipe is light, fresh, and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. It pairs wonderfully with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or a light pasta.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the griddle pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Lightly oil the pan if needed.
- Place the chicken on the griddle, cooking for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side of couscous and a Mediterranean-inspired salad with cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese.
2. Smoky Paprika Griddled Chicken Thighs
For a heartier option, try griddling chicken thighs with a smoky paprika marinade. The natural fat in the thighs keeps the meat moist and flavourful.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, chilli powder, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Coat the chicken thighs in the marinade and let them rest for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight.
- Preheat the griddle pan on medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes on each side until they reach an internal temperature of 75°C and have developed a nice char.
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a simple green salad. This chicken also works well in wraps or over rice.
3. Asian-Inspired Sesame Ginger Griddled Chicken
Infused with the flavours of sesame, soy, and ginger, this recipe brings an Asian twist to your table. Perfect in a rice bowl, salad, or served with stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Spring onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds.
- Place the chicken in the marinade and let sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Preheat the griddle pan to medium-high heat.
- Griddle the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden.
- Slice and garnish with spring onions.
Serving Suggestion: Serve this with steamed jasmine rice, pickled vegetables, or a fresh cucumber salad.
Tips for Perfect Griddled Chicken
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Give each piece of chicken enough space to prevent steaming. Overcrowding the pan reduces the temperature, which means you won’t get that beautiful char.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To avoid undercooking or overcooking, check for an internal temperature of 75°C.
- Let the Chicken Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes before cutting locks in the juices, making each bite more flavourful.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Griddled chicken takes well to nearly any seasoning, so feel free to experiment with spice blends like Cajun, Italian, or curry powder for different flavours.
FAQs About Griddled Chicken
Can I use frozen chicken? For best results, thaw chicken fully before griddling. Frozen chicken releases too much water, making it difficult to achieve a proper sear.
What’s the best way to store griddled chicken? Store leftover griddled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, use a pan over low heat to preserve moisture.
How do I avoid sticking? Ensure your pan is preheated well, and use a small amount of oil if necessary. Non-stick griddle pans are also available, or a well-seasoned cast-iron griddle is another option.
Griddled chicken is a fantastic, easy-to-master technique that delivers restaurant-quality meals right at home. With a good marinade, a hot griddle, and the right techniques, you can elevate a simple chicken breast or thigh to new culinary heights. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even casual entertaining, griddled chicken is a must-have in your cooking repertoire.