Toronto’s best pre-marinated chicken to grill at home

Chefs pick T.O.’s best backyard barbecue

In our ultimate guide to throwing the most delicious backyard barbecue, we asked five chefs to grill popular barbecue items at home. Here chef Nuit Regular, known for her popular Thai restaurants such as Pai and Kiin, grills up some pre-marinated chicken from local butcher shops. Which one takes the cake? The butterflied bird from a Thornhill butcher.

Winner: Magen Meats

“I liked that the skin was on with the herbs and spices marinade,” says chef Nuit Regular. “The outcome was a nicely charred skin with a crispy texture.” 1118 Centre St., $60.99/kg

Cumbrae's

“After grilling, the chicken had a beautiful bright colour,” says Regular. “The marinade had a vibrant colour with spices that gave it a nice touch of heat.” 1591 Bayview Ave., $12.99/lb.

The Friendly Butcher

“The marinade was very interesting with the pickled mustard seeds, which gave it a deep, wonderful flavour,” she says, adding it was tender. 3269 Yonge St., $11.99/lb.

Roast Fine Foods

“The oil and herb marinade coated the chicken well and it gave a beautiful aroma,” she says. “It helped to keep the chicken moist.” 768 St. Clair Ave. W., $7.50/lb

The Butcher's Son

“I loved that there was extra sauce I could use for basting while grilling,” Regular says. “I really enjoyed the sweetness in the marinade.” 2055 Yonge St., $9/breast