What Is Charcoal Chicken?
Charcoal chicken isn’t just grilled chicken with a tan. As the name suggests, it differs because of the way it’s cooked. Charcoal chicken = chicken cooked over charcoal. Where grilled or oven-roasted chicken is cooked using high, direct heat, charcoal chicken is slowly cooked whole over the indirect flaming heat of charcoal. The result is skin that’s crispy in all the right places, meat that melts in your mouth and a flavour so smoky, you’ll swear it’s whispering sweet nothings. Born in the Middle East, raised on Aussie soil, it’s the bird that brings everyone to the table.
At El Jannah, we might serve up legendary charcoal chicken, but it’s much deeper than that. It’s part of who we are and how we pay tribute to the foods we grew up eating. While our recipe is a closely guarded secret, we wanted to lift the curtain a little bit and let you inside the kitchen with us. If you’ve ever wondered how charcoal chicken is made and why it tastes so good, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get stuck in.
The Unique Flavour of Charcoal Chicken
If you’ve ever tasted charcoal chicken, you’ll know exactly why it’s in a league of its own. There’s a science behind the magic, and your taste buds know it. Grilling chicken on a charcoal grill isn’t just about the heat, it’s about that sweet spot where fire, smoke and time all work in tandem. The slow dance over the hot coals renders the fat from the skin and meat, creating that signature smoky char flavour, and when you take that first bite? First comes the crunch from the oh-so-crispy skin, then the rush of juicy, tender meat that practically falls apart before you’ve even finished chewing … excuse us, we’re getting a lil’ flustered just thinking about it.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken on a Charcoal Grill?
Good things come to those who wait, and if you’re wondering how long you should charcoal grill chicken, then a bit of patience is needed (but trust us, it is absolutely worth it). It’ll depend on what parts of the chicken you’re cooking. Here’s what we swear by:
Whole chicken: 1–1.5 hours
Chicken thighs: 30–40 minutes, depending on size
Chicken wings: 20–30 minutes
Of course, these times aren’t set in stone. They’ll shift depending on your setup, how hot you’re running it and the size of the bird you’re about to demolish. For guaranteed perfection, grab a meat thermometer. When the thickest part hits 74°C, you’re not just safe to eat it, you’re in juicy, smoky, chicken bliss territory.
The Traditional Charcoal Chicken Cooking Method
Traditionally, charcoal chicken is cooked using an indirect grilling method; coals on one side of the grill, chicken resting on the other. This keeps the heat steady and gentle, letting the smoke do its slow, delicious work instead of scorching the meat.
Pop the BBQ lid on to trap in all that smoky heat and give your chicken a loving baste every 20–30 minutes so the skin stays glossy and the flavour builds. When it’s done, resist the urge to dive straight in. We know, we know, it’s almost impossible, but letting it rest means juicier meat and fewer tears when you carve.
We’ve spoken with charcoal chicken lovers from across the world, and while different BBQ cultures use different rubs and marinades for their meats, the way we all grill is surprisingly universal. Charcoal chicken is proof that the whole world can agree on one thing: this is how it’s done.
Can You Make Charcoal Chicken at Home?
Looking to whip up some charcoal chicken at home? If you’ve got a charcoal BBQ or kettle grill, you’re halfway there. Set it up just like we showed you earlier, then arm yourself with the right tools:
- A chimney starter to fire up the coals
- A meat thermometer to make sure your chicken hits the sweet spot
- A pair of trust tongs
- A basting brush to keep the flavour flowing
Sure, you can have a crack at charcoal grilling chicken at home and get pretty close to the real deal, but not to be dramatic or anything … we do have a decades-long head start on you. We also like to think we’re pretty good at making it.
So, if you ever want to try the real MVP of smoky, juicy, crispy perfection, you’ll have to swing by and see us. We’ll feed you the good stuff, send you home happy and maybe even slip you a cheeky grilling tip, but don’t be surprised if you can’t go back to your own after that.
Why El Jannah’s Charcoal Chicken Is So Iconic
Not everyone is cut out to make legendary charcoal chicken, Habibi, which is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to serve up the best every single day. But there’s a fair bit that goes into delivering the taste you’ve come to love from us. We:
- Charcoal grill our chicken, using traditional Lebanese methods
- Serve up our charcoal chicken with garlic sauce, pickles, and fresh Lebanese bread, the way we had it growing up
- Have worked out the perfect balance of smokiness and seasoning, so every flavour is working together
- Cook our chicken fresh and in-store daily
Every time a piece of our chicken hits your plate, it’s 100% Halal-certified and made to strict quality standards. We love chicken just as much as you do (maybe more), so we’re committed to making sure every bite delivers the full EJ experience and is packed full of flavour.
Ready to Taste the Real Deal?
It’s no secret. Once you’ve had El Jannah, every other charcoal chicken is just … chicken. We don’t make the rules, sorry! We just set the gold standard for smoky, juicy, crispy perfection, and we’re ready to show you why Aussies can’t get enough. Experience the unbeatable flavour of our charcoal chicken for yourself by either ordering online or visiting us in-store. And, if you’re looking to treat your loved ones, bring them along, too. Charcoal chicken’s for everyone, after all!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grill chicken on a charcoal grill?
Grilling chicken over a charcoal grill is a reminder that good things come to those who wait. It can take 1–2 hours to charcoal grill a whole chicken, while thighs and wings can take 30–45 minutes. These timings can be affected by a few factors, including the temperature of the charcoal, the thickness of the chicken, and how your grill is set up.
What’s the best charcoal for grilling chicken?
If you’re charcoal grilling at home, we recommend using hardwood lump charcoal or briquettes. Some charcoal chicken lovers will also add wood chips, as it can help add extra flavour to the mix.
How is charcoal chicken different from regular grilled chicken?
Charcoal chicken tastes different to regular grilled chicken thanks to, you guessed it, the coals! Cooking using charcoal creates a smoky, crispy finish that gas cooking can’t achieve. Slowly grilling the chicken using the indirect heat of the coals creates that flavour profile charcoal chicken lovers can’t get enough of—and it’s why we do what we do!
Can I make charcoal chicken without a charcoal BBQ?
There are ways of imitating the charcoal chicken flavour, like using an oven with smoked spices, or cooking using a grill pan. However, if you really want that authentic charcoal flavour, then you need to grill with coals.
Is El Jannah’s charcoal chicken Halal?
Yes, all our legendary charcoal chicken is 100% Halal-certified and made to strict quality standards.
What makes charcoal chicken so juicy?
Cooking chicken fast over high heat can dry it out. Charcoal chicken is grilled using slow, indirect heat, which locks moisture in. We keep the skin on our chicken when we cook it to add to the overall flavour, which also helps to protect the meat. Basting the chicken using a marinade and resting it so it can reabsorb moisture helps achieve the juiciness people crave from charcoal chicken.
Do you need to marinate chicken before grilling over charcoal?
Yes! You’ll find that most charcoal chicken recipes involve using a marinade or rub to give the chicken a deeper flavour. We’d love to tell you what goes into our marinade, which contains a mixture of traditional Lebanese flavours… but it’s a closely guarded secret, and our family wouldn’t be too happy. Guess you’ll just have to visit us, or order online, to try it for yourself!
Is charcoal chicken part of Lebanese cuisine?
Charcoal chicken and charcoal-grilled meats in general are a key part of Lebanon’s street food culture. If you head over to Lebanon, you’ll find that charcoal-grilled meats are often served with garlic toum, pickles and Lebanese bread. That’s why we recommend pairing our legendary charcoal chicken with one (or more) of these seriously delicious sides!
Can you reheat charcoal chicken and still keep the flavour?
You can reheat charcoal chicken while maintaining its flavour! We’ve found that it works best if you wrap it in foil first, and then reheat it gently in the oven or air fryer. This helps lock in the moisture. You’ll want to avoid microwaving the chicken, as this can dry it out.
Is El Jannah’s charcoal chicken cooked fresh daily?
Yes! We grill all our chicken over charcoal in-store daily, so it’s fresh and piping hot when it hits your plate. Our cooking methods are time-tested, and we’re working every single day to deliver legendary charcoal chicken that’ll have you coming back for more.