Who wouldn’t fall for grilled chicken? This juicy and tasty meal is rich in protein, good fats, and vitamins, making it a staple among BBQ parties. But if the outdoor weather or your apartment will not permit for a full-sized grill, you can opt for an indoor type. The best indoor grill for chicken breast is smokeless, so you don’t have to worry about triggering your smoke alarm.
Quick Comparison
Last update on 2023-06-04 at 15:37 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chicken is a versatile type of meat. It can be baked, fried, roasted, braised, sautéed, and so on. And whatever recipe it is, chicken always comes out delicious. Both kids and adults love it, which is why a BBQ party can’t go without this meat type.
However, for you to cook the best grilled chicken, you must get the right grill. Indoor grills are smaller and use electricity or propane cylinders instead of charcoal or wood. Many indoor grills are called ‘healthy grills’ because it doesn’t produce carcinogens as charcoal do. Also, it has drip trays that catch all the oils, making the food healthier.
In this post, we reviewed five of the best indoor grills that you can consider. Check each one and see which indoor grill that tastes like outdoor types!
1. Breville Smart Grill
If you want a grill that you can also use as a griddle and Panini press, you’ll never go wrong with Breville Smart Grill. This can be used with the BBQ mode where two sides can be laid flat to cook large servings. For a total of 1,800 watts, you can cook different food items here aside from chicken. You can set the temperature between 310F and 450F to suit the food you’re cooking.
Aside from grilling, you can also use the sear, low, and Panini mode. For just a single grill, you can prepare different meals for the entire family.
What we also like about this smart grill is that you can adjust its height in six levels. This way, the oils and fats from your food will drip better.
Moreover, this grill is easy to wash. The plates and drip tray are removable and dishwasher-safe.
This grill has two temperature knobs as well as a digital temperature and timer control display. You can set the cooking time, so you no longer have to babysit your food.
Lastly, this has embedded heating elements that prevent energy loss. It’s also a safety feature that prevents burns.
Pros
- 3-in-1 design
- Features a timer control dial
- Element IQ auto adjustment
Cons
- Gets pretty hot for an extended period
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2. T-fal OptiGrill
Another multi-functional grill that we recommended is the T-fal OptiGrill. It’s a 1,800-watt indoor grill that allows you to cook food with different thickness. You can cook skewers, burgers, chicken breasts, fish, pork, veggies, and even shellfish using this grill.
Moreover, it’s equipped with nine auto cooking programs that adjust based on the thickness of the food. On the thermoplastic handle, there are controls for the heat settings, power, and the type of food you’re cooking. Everything is within a single press.
What we also like about this grill is its frozen mode where you can cook frozen food straight to this grill. Your frozen chicken will come out juicy and fully cooked from this versatile equipment.
This T-fal grill has a sloped design that lets the oils drip properly into its pull-out tray. Also, the OptiGrill is available in an XL size that can hold up to 8 servings.
Our only gripe is that thin steaks cook too fast in this grill, so it’s hard to achieve the pinkish middle. But other than that, we’re impressed by the performance and function of this grill.
Pros
- Nine cooking programs
- Frozen mode
- Can hold up to 8 servings
Cons
- The temp automation should be re-calibrated
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3. Swissmar Valais Aluminum Grill
Do you love dips to pair your grilled chicken? If so, you shouldn’t miss the Swissmar Valais Aluminum Grill. This has an open aluminium grill top as well as eight raclettes where you can melt the cheese and heat different sauces and dips.
This grill is perfect for chicken, fish, vegetables, and other food items. You can also flip the grill top to prepare crepes and pancakes for breakfast.
Each of the raclettes has a heat-resistant spatula. The raclettes have a non-stick coating and thumb guard to prevent spills and burns.
We love using this grill for small BBQ gatherings indoors. Everyone can take part in cooking, and they can also choose the dip or sauce that they like. If you want, you can also use the raclettes for cooking chopped veggies while you sear meat on top.
Moreover, the cooking space is also large and can hold large servings at a time.
Just a warning, though. Make sure that you use a high-wattage extension cord for this grill, so the plug on the wall will not melt when this grill is in use.
Pros
- Eight individual raclettes
- 2-in-1 plate
- Ideal for small gatherings
Cons
- Short power cord
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4. Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill
If you’re more into simplistic designs, what we recommend is the Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill. This one is a 1,500-watt unit with a stainless steel body. It’s a solid piece with a large grilling surface. You can also remove the plates to clean this grill easily.
Moreover, there’s a temp knob at the side so you can control the temperature with ease. You can unplug this knob whenever you have to clean and store the grill.
As for the temperature setting, Zojirushi is very versatile. You can use it on temperatures ranging from 176F to 410F. This makes it suitable for soft veggies, chicken breast, fish, and other smaller food items. On high temperatures, this grill can sear steaks and thicker meat cuts.
We also like that the side handles of the grill stay cool to prevent accidental burns. If you love indoor Korean barbecue, this is the perfect grill to get. It can fit 25 shrimps at a time, ensuring that everyone gets to eat together.
The only drawback to this grill is you can’t achieve the smoky BBQ flavor. For us, it’s not really a major issue.
Pros
- Wide temp range
- Large cooking surface
- Handles remain cool
Cons
- Will not achieve the smoky flavor
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5. Hot Shot Smokeless Grill
For those who love cooking whole chicken breasts, the best choice is the Hot Shot Smokeless Grill. This comes with a deep grilling surface and a removable hinged lid. With this design, you can grill thick cuts evenly inside your home.
Aside from that, this Charles Oakley grill design has a non-stick grate and griddle plate so you can cook different types of food. This can be used to cook chicken pork ribs, burgers, seafood, and even pancakes or eggs using the griddle plate.
We also like that it has a low profile build that stands solidly on the top of the table. This is also compact and perfect for this with small kitchens or countertop.
Moreover, this grill comes with a mess-free drip tray that catches all the fats and oils from your food. All of these are easy to clean.
Are you worried about your smoke alarm? This Hot Shot grill uses an advanced airflow technology that fans out the smoke inside. Aside from keeping your kitchen smoke-free, this technology also boosts the cooking power of your grill.
Pros
- Comes with a grill and griddle plate
- Compact and low-profile design
- Removable hinged lid
Cons
- None so far
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Buying Guide
There are many indoor grills to choose from in the market. What sets an excellent electric grill from the dud ones are the following characteristics:
Check the serving size
Before you buy an indoor grill, consider how many people you’re planning to feed. You should get a grill with a large cooking space if we’re talking about 6 to 8 people. For fewer users, a smaller and more compact unit will do.
By sizing up your grill, no one has to wait just to get their turn in eating. Also, your food will stay warm the whole time.
Opt for non-stick grates/plates
Next, you should get non-stick grates. This will prevent the chicken breast and other meat types from sticking to your grill.
If possible, look for a reversible plate that can work as a griddle and grill at once. This will let you cook different types of food in a single piece of equipment.
Mind your wattage
The wattage of your grill has a lot to do with its heating power. The higher the wattage is, the hotter your grill can get. This is very important so you can cook a wide variety of food.
For the most part, a 1,500-watt grill will be perfect for most meals. You can also opt for a 1,800-watt unit if you need more heat for your choice of food.
Check the heat control
One of the essential components of electric grills is its heat control. Most indoor grills have a knob similar to a stove. You can also find units with auto-adjusting temp level based on the thickness of the food being cooked.
Whatever your choice is, heat control should be accurate, so your food will not burn or become too dry.
Consider the cleaning needs
Consider how much cleaning the grill will need. Most indoor grills have removable plates and drip trays that are also dishwasher safe. This part can be a trade-in for more power and a solid build.
Safety matters
Lastly, make sure that the grill is safe to use. Electric grills can get pretty hot so you should always look for certifications or quality control assurance that the unit will not explode or melt even during extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How do electric grills work?
A: Electric grills use electricity to produce heat. The heating element is embedded inside and is in contact with the grill grate. This makes it almost smokeless, and you no longer have to purchase propane cylinders to keep cooking. The only downside to this type of grill is that you can only use it if you have a source of electricity, a rarity on campsites and other outdoor settings.
Q: Do electric grills taste as good as outdoor gas grills?
A: Unlike gas or charcoal grills, electric grills don’t offer the same smoky flavor. This is since it uses electricity as a source of heat. Also, it’s smokeless, so it’s quite impossible to achieve the smoky taste that you’d get from other grill types. Nevertheless, this very same feature makes electric grills a healthier choice.
Q: How do I keep the chicken moist on the grill?
A: To keep your grilled chicken juicy, you should soak it in a brine first for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will lock in the moisture on the meat so the chicken will not dry out once you’re done cooking. You can also use rubs to make the chicken taste better.
Q: Do you grill chicken with the lid closed or open?
A: Thick cuts should have the lid closed to trap the heat for even cooking. The same goes for large cuts and if you are roasting a whole chicken. Meanwhile, thinner cuts don’t need a closed lid because you have to flip it several times to prevent burning.
Q: What’s the best temperature when grilling chicken?
A: For chicken, your grill should be pre-heated to 350F to 400F. Add a little grease on the grill so the chicken will not stick while cooking. Your chicken is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. This is around 8 minutes on each side, depending on how thick the cut is.
Final words
Indoor grills let you enjoy your favorite grilled chicken meal no matter what the outdoor weather is. Just make sure that you get a durable one with a serving size that suits you and your family or friends.
What do you think of the indoor grills we reviewed above? Let us know!