How to Parboil and Grill Chicken Quarters (6 Steps)

While you may want grilled chicken quarters for dinner some evening, you may not want to stand over a hot grill all night. Not to worry. When you parboil or partially boil your chicken prior to laying it on a hot grill, you cut your grilling time to a minimum and cut out the chance of serving partially cooked meat. You can parboil and grill chicken quarters remarkably easily, provided you have the right tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken quarters
  • Stockpot, large
  • Water
  • 3 Tbs. seasoning salt
  • 3 Tbs. garlic powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Salt
  • Grill, pre-lit
  • Tongs
  • Meat thermometer

Instructions

  1. Rinse the chicken quarters under cool water and place them in a large stock pot.

  2. Cover the chicken quarters with cold water. Add about 3 Tbs. seasoning salt and 3 Tbs. garlic powder to the pot. This will season the meat as it cooks, as well as seasoning the broth you are creating.

  3. Place the pot on a burner turned to medium heat. Boil for 7 minutes. Do not cook the meat all the way; you will finish cooking it on a grill.

  4. Turn the heat off and place the chicken quarters in a single layer on a tray. Sprinkle cayenne pepper and salt on both sides of the chicken.

  5. Place the chicken on a preheated grill. Close the lid and let the meat cook for about 8 minutes. If you have chicken remaining in your stock pot, repeat Step 4.

  6. Flip the chicken, close the lid and allow it to cook for another 8 minutes. The meat is finished cooking when clear fluid runs out when you poke it or a thermometer inserted by the thigh reads 165 degrees F.