You better know how to grill if you’re born and bred in Texas! Why not get the kids in on the grilling game early? The expert pitmasters from The Original Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart suggest starting with chicken thighs – an easy, low-pressure way to introduce little ones to the art of the grill. Chicken thighs are readily available, affordable, difficult to overcook due to their high fat content, and they seldom dry out. Chicken thighs are also uniform in size and thickness compared to chicken breasts, making them easier to work with. Lastly, smoking chicken thighs produces delicious, flavor-packed results!
Preparation
- Start the activity well before mealtime. It’s an interactive and playful experience, not a chore to rush through.
- Trim excess fat from the bottom of chicken thighs.
- Season with salt and pepper the night before if possible, but it’s not crucial.
Salt and Pepper Only?
- Keep it simple for the initial cook. Custom sauces and seasonings can be explored in a separate activity.
- Seasoning solely with salt and pepper prevents messiness and ensures a better cooking outcome.
Preparing the Grill
- Get the kids involved in handling the charcoal. Discuss safety, the plan for hot coals, and the risks associated with the process.
- Light a chimney starter with charcoal, encouraging the use of this method over lighter fluid.
- Set up the grill with half for hot coals and half for indirect cooking (cool side).
Grill Setup
- Open vents on the bottom of the grill.
- Let the grates heat up with the lid on, ensuring vents are open on the lid and opposite side of the coals.
- Clean the grill grates with oil and paper towels.
- Optionally, add wood chips or chunks for added flavor.
Grill the Chicken Thighs
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the cool side of the grill (no coals underneath to prevent flare-ups).
- Cook covered for about 15 to 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
- The temperature is crucial as it allows the connective tissue to break down for the most tender bite.
Let the Kids Do It!
- Let kids flip and move the chicken thighs around often.
- Allow them to move a piece of chicken to the hot side to observe and experience the sizzle, smell, color changes, and flames.
- Let them taste a piece of chicken with a bit more char.
Final Steps
- Once the chicken thighs reach 175°F on the cooler side, move them to the hotter side, skin-side down. This is to help crisp up the skin.
- Enjoy the grilled chicken thighs on their own or use sauces the kids made or chose themselves.
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