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What temperatures, both breast and thigh, should I pull chicken halves off the pit? I want the thighs to be done without drying out the breasts. We are cooking for our church fall festival. Some of the meat will be immediately consummed at the noon luncheon, but most will be sold for people to take home and either reheat in the next day or two or freeze and cook at a later date. My concern is to be sure and not have any bloody bones for the luncheon and yet not overcook for the ones that will be reheated later and not be too dry. Thanks for your help! Ron
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We cook 250 (500 halves) at a time. When we pull them off the grill, they are wrapped in double foil and put in igloo coolers and taken to the church so for sure there will be some carryover cooking to be expected. So, I need to get this straight to be safe. Pull when the thighs are 170-175 and the breasts are 165, especially for those that are to be consummed at the luncheon?
The reason I didn't list a breast temp is you will NOT be able to pull them either or. If the breast is 160 and the thigh is 170, you need to let the thigh cook longer to be tender enough

If the thigh is 175, the breast will very likely be higher than 160.

FYI, I pull my breast cooked separately at 160.

Oh, and you should brine them, you'll be amazed at the comments you get and it helps the breast stay moist when cooking dark meat to 175.

Make sure what you buy isn't already "solution enhanced"

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