Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe Made Simple for Home Cooks

Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe For Juicy Bites Every Time

After about ten minutes on the grill, this Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe starts to give off that smoky aroma that makes everyone hang around outside. The meat gets a perfect char while staying juicy on the inside, and every bite picks up the flavor of the sauce you brush on. It’s simple enough for a weeknight cookout but turns out like something from a summer barbecue spot.

You can make it with boneless or bone-in chicken, but the trick is slow heat and layering the barbecue sauce near the end so it thickens just right without burning.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: BBQ, Dinner, Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 chicken breasts or thighs boneless or bone-in
• 1 cup barbecue sauce homemade or your favorite brand
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ TSP garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 TBSP lemon juice

Method

 

1. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and place it in a large bowl.
2. Add olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Toss to coat everything evenly.
3. Preheat your grill to medium heat. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
4. Grill the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side if boneless, or 7–8 minutes for bone-in.
5. Start brushing barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of grilling, flipping once so both sides get coated.
6. Cook until the internal temperature hits 75°C (165°F).
7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices stay inside.

Video

Notes

• Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken, and it dries out fast once it passes 165°F.
• If you’re using bone-in chicken, cook it on indirect heat first, then sear it over direct heat at the end.
• You can use spicy, smoky, or honey BBQ sauce depending on what you like.

Seasonal Variations

Try Chicken or Steak with Balsamic BBQ Sauce for summer; it balances the smoky flavor perfectly. Check out this version here:
Chicken or Steak with Balsamic BBQ Sauce

In winter, go for oven-baked BBQ chicken instead of grilling:
Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken – The Chunky Chef

Serving Suggestions

• Serve it with grilled corn on the cob, coleslaw, or baked beans for a full BBQ plate.

Pair with creamy mashed potatoes like this one:
Classic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

• A light garden salad with a ranch dressing keeps things fresh.

Tips & Tricks

• Always oil the grill grates before placing the chicken. It helps keep the skin from sticking.
• For the best grilled BBQ chicken flavor, brush the sauce in thin layers instead of dumping it all at once.
• Marinate for at least an hour if you have time; it gives the chicken a deep smoky kick.
• Keep an extra small bowl of clean sauce for serving (never reuse the one used for brushing).

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 1g