BBQ numpty here
Discussion
Simpo Two said:
I'm taking some chicken thighs to a party on Sunday. Currently they're in the freezer.
I'll defrost them on Saturday, but should I cook/part cook them first?
Get them out of the freezer on FridayI'll defrost them on Saturday, but should I cook/part cook them first?
Thaw them over night in the fridge
Its not a problem if they are slightly frozen on Saturday as long as you can seperate them.
Get them in some marinaide(your choice) and put back in the fridge in a covered plastic container until you need them. They should be fully defrosted by then.
Take them to the party raw and coated in delicious marinaide.
Cook them indirectly until vitually cooked all the way and then crisp over the coals for the last few minutes.
Take enough extra marinaide to baste them at least once whilst cooking.
Chicken thighs....a BBQ party nightmare (for me at least). Although depends how big the grill is and how big the thighs are.
Regardless of how indirect the heat is, they drip fat and cause flames. This affects the other stuff on the grill at that time. I have a 4 burner gas BBQ thing and have to cook any chicken thighs first, on their own, before doing all the rest. This increases the amount of time I need to spend attending to the BBQ.
Chicken breast, no problem. Legs and thighs, additional logistics required to get everything done at the same time.
The last big BBQ I did a few months ago was for about 30 people and half of them brought chicken thighs (some of them were huge that needed almost 45 minutes). I did them all first and everyone had them as a starter because I could not be bothered to coordinate timings.
Before taking chicken thighs, ask your host what everyone else is bringing!
Regardless of how indirect the heat is, they drip fat and cause flames. This affects the other stuff on the grill at that time. I have a 4 burner gas BBQ thing and have to cook any chicken thighs first, on their own, before doing all the rest. This increases the amount of time I need to spend attending to the BBQ.
Chicken breast, no problem. Legs and thighs, additional logistics required to get everything done at the same time.
The last big BBQ I did a few months ago was for about 30 people and half of them brought chicken thighs (some of them were huge that needed almost 45 minutes). I did them all first and everyone had them as a starter because I could not be bothered to coordinate timings.
Before taking chicken thighs, ask your host what everyone else is bringing!
EmailAddress said:
Does the cook know how to BBQ would be a more pertinent query!
Well indeed... I'm just taking them and somebody else can cook them! Marinade not on my radar. I just wanted to be sure they'll cook properly.So, move from freezer to fridge 24 hours before leaving? Or more to be on the safe side?
90% chance they still have the bones in.
Simplest marinade would be to defrost them and then just chuck a couple of tablespoons of cajun / chicken seasoning in from a supermarket spice aisle rack and cover them in water. Doesn't have to be fancy oils and rare herbs and thai massaging.
Simplest marinade would be to defrost them and then just chuck a couple of tablespoons of cajun / chicken seasoning in from a supermarket spice aisle rack and cover them in water. Doesn't have to be fancy oils and rare herbs and thai massaging.
sherman said:
Get them out of the freezer on Friday
Thaw them over night in the fridge
Its not a problem if they are slightly frozen on Saturday as long as you can seperate them.
Get them in some marinaide(your choice) and put back in the fridge in a covered plastic container until you need them. They should be fully defrosted by then.
Take them to the party raw and coated in delicious marinaide.
Cook them indirectly until vitually cooked all the way and then crisp over the coals for the last few minutes.
Take enough extra marinaide to baste them at least once whilst cooking.
This sounds like a thoroughly good idea. Thaw them over night in the fridge
Its not a problem if they are slightly frozen on Saturday as long as you can seperate them.
Get them in some marinaide(your choice) and put back in the fridge in a covered plastic container until you need them. They should be fully defrosted by then.
Take them to the party raw and coated in delicious marinaide.
Cook them indirectly until vitually cooked all the way and then crisp over the coals for the last few minutes.
Take enough extra marinaide to baste them at least once whilst cooking.
As well needing to be cooked right, chicken is bit of a nightmare for cross contamination. Keeping it in a sealed container is a good call. Needs to go direct from said container to grill. Whoever is on the grill needs to know what they are doing. If it is your standard British sausages, burgers and steaks affair it's very easy to move bugs from raw chicken to other items if careless with tongs.
Whilst a marinade is an excellent idea it needs to be treated as a salmonella slurry so it needs to be cooked and whatever implement is used for basting needs to be kept separate.
Don't see the point of deboning legs and thighs. For outdoor eating you need a 'handle' or 'container' (bone, skewer, burger bun or hot dog roll) for the food.
Whilst a marinade is an excellent idea it needs to be treated as a salmonella slurry so it needs to be cooked and whatever implement is used for basting needs to be kept separate.
Don't see the point of deboning legs and thighs. For outdoor eating you need a 'handle' or 'container' (bone, skewer, burger bun or hot dog roll) for the food.
Edited by oddman on Friday 20th September 10:22
Simpo Two said:
Each one is already wrapped in cling film so my plan is to take them out of the freezer tomorrow morning (or sooner?). Then at midday Sunday, put them in a coolbag with an icepack and take them the 30 minutes to the party. Somebody else can cook them, I'm a guest!
Get them in the fridge now to defrost. Bone in meat can take longer than you think to defrost especially when packed together.
The icepack will not really be nessesary on sunday if your cool bag is good enough. The chicken will be cold and keep its self cold for hours. .
You seem reluctant to do a simple marinade, which is a shame.
It won't take long, and you'll show your host that you're putting some effort into their BBQ. Honestly, there are loads of quick easy marinades that will make your simple chicken thighs more interesting.
Then when you get to the BBQ, you can say "Ive brought some chicken thighs that I've marinated myself", and they will appreciate it.
It won't take long, and you'll show your host that you're putting some effort into their BBQ. Honestly, there are loads of quick easy marinades that will make your simple chicken thighs more interesting.
Then when you get to the BBQ, you can say "Ive brought some chicken thighs that I've marinated myself", and they will appreciate it.
EmailAddress said:
You haven't let us know a time yet for tomorrow.
Should we bring a chair?
If you're the OP, just bring something random from the bottom of the freezer! Should we bring a chair?
Edited by Big Nanas on Friday 20th September 19:05
Big Nanas said:
You seem reluctant to do a simple marinade, which is a shame.
It won't take long, and you'll show your host that you're putting some effort into their BBQ. Honestly, there are loads of quick easy marinades that will make your simple chicken thighs more interesting.
Yes, but I'm supposed to be a guest, not the cook. When I have a party I provide food and drink for everyone, I don't expect them to bring their own food and cook it.It won't take long, and you'll show your host that you're putting some effort into their BBQ. Honestly, there are loads of quick easy marinades that will make your simple chicken thighs more interesting.
I had visions of me trying to cook the chicken thighs while everyone else watched, but have since been informed that others will be bringing BBQ-able things so they can sort it out. I still don't see why we're expected to contribute food though, the hosts aren't on benefits.
Simpo Two said:
Big Nanas said:
You seem reluctant to do a simple marinade, which is a shame.
It won't take long, and you'll show your host that you're putting some effort into their BBQ. Honestly, there are loads of quick easy marinades that will make your simple chicken thighs more interesting.
Yes, but I'm supposed to be a guest, not the cook. When I have a party I provide food and drink for everyone, I don't expect them to bring their own food and cook it.It won't take long, and you'll show your host that you're putting some effort into their BBQ. Honestly, there are loads of quick easy marinades that will make your simple chicken thighs more interesting.
I had visions of me trying to cook the chicken thighs while everyone else watched, but have since been informed that others will be bringing BBQ-able things so they can sort it out. I still don't see why we're expected to contribute food though, the hosts aren't on benefits.
Put it another way, if your host has asked the guests to bring something, then why not put a tiny bit of effort into it? Your host will be putting a lot of effort into this, so 15 mins of your time will show you've at least thought about it!
If you've got soy sauce, garlic and honey, that'll be great. No? Then maybe some dried mixed herbs, oil and lemon.
Im not having a dig, I'm just considering the effort your host is doing. Whatever, have fun
Edited by Big Nanas on Friday 20th September 19:32
Simpo Two said:
Yes, but I'm supposed to be a guest, not the cook. When I have a party I provide food and drink for everyone, I don't expect them to bring their own food and cook it.
I had visions of me trying to cook the chicken thighs while everyone else watched, but have since been informed that others will be bringing BBQ-able things so they can sort it out. I still don't see why we're expected to contribute food though, the hosts aren't on benefits.
Very odd, I agree.I had visions of me trying to cook the chicken thighs while everyone else watched, but have since been informed that others will be bringing BBQ-able things so they can sort it out. I still don't see why we're expected to contribute food though, the hosts aren't on benefits.
At this point, I'd be thinking of some sort of 'exit strategy' to ensure I'm never asked again.
A b
d hot chilli marinade ought to do it.Simpo Two said:
Yes, but I'm supposed to be a guest, not the cook. When I have a party I provide food and drink for everyone, I don't expect them to bring their own food and cook it.
I had visions of me trying to cook the chicken thighs while everyone else watched, but have since been informed that others will be bringing BBQ-able things so they can sort it out. I still don't see why we're expected to contribute food though, the hosts aren't on benefits.
put it in a marinade becauseI had visions of me trying to cook the chicken thighs while everyone else watched, but have since been informed that others will be bringing BBQ-able things so they can sort it out. I still don't see why we're expected to contribute food though, the hosts aren't on benefits.
- 'they' wont have enough time to marinade it when you bring it.
- it will be one less thing that the host will have to do.
what exactly is the expectation here, you give them some raw chicken, they throw on some dry seasoning and chuck it on a bbq? not very good. chicken, pork, needs a marinade. The only thing that doesn't are sausages or burgers.
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