• Chicken Thighs: Juicy dark meat that stays moist. Excellent bone-in skin-on for crispy skin or boneless for faster cooking. 
• Chicken Wings: Crispy, finger-licking favourites. Perfect for sauces and rubs. 
• Drumsticks: Great for marinades and low & slow cooking. Crowd-pleasing and budget-friendly. 
• Kebabs / Skewers: Usually made with breast or thigh meat. Ideal for quick grilling and mixing with vegetables. 
• Spatchcock Chicken: Flattened whole chicken that cooks evenly. Impressive centrepiece for larger gatherings. 
• Chicken Burgers: Freshly minced for juicy homemade burgers that outperform standard options. 

Pro Tip: Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 75°C for safety. Use a meat thermometer to avoid guesswork. 

Quality chicken makes a big difference; better flavour, superior texture, and less chance of drying out. Expert butchery, good provenance, and proper preparation (such as skin-on or well-marbled dark meat) help you achieve restaurant-quality results at home. 

At The Village Butchers in Essex, we source premium chicken specifically for outstanding barbecue performance and deliver it fresh across the UK. 

• Direct vs Indirect Heat: Use direct heat for wings, kebabs and boneless pieces. Use indirect heat for thicker cuts like thighs, drumsticks and spatchcock to prevent burning. 
• Marinades & Rubs: Marinate for 2–12 hours. Popular flavours include honey soy, garlic herb, smoky BBQ, lemon & thyme, or spicy buffalo. 
• Crispy Skin: Pat chicken dry before cooking and start skin-side down on a hot grill. 
• Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t flip too early (let it sear properly), keep the grill clean and oiled, and rest the meat after cooking. 
• Two-Zone Cooking:  Set up your grill with a hot direct side and a cooler indirect side for better control. 

Pair your BBQ chicken with these classic sides: 

• Grilled corn on the cob 
• Creamy coleslaw or potato salad 
• Fresh green salads with vinaigrette 
• Grilled vegetables (peppers, courgettes, asparagus) 
• Baked beans or mac & cheese 
• Chimichurri, garlic bread, or pickles 

These balance the smoky, savoury chicken perfectly. 

Shopping with The Village Butchers gives you access to premium, expertly prepared chicken cuts with convenient UK delivery (free over £85). Skip the supermarket queues and enjoy butcher-quality chicken selected for the best barbecue results. 

Ready to fire up the grill? Explore our full BBQ meats range or browse all chicken cuts.