Grilled BBQ Chicken is a summer favorite with juicy bone-in chicken, smoky grill flavor, and sticky barbecue sauce brushed on at just the right time. It’s easy to make, full of sweet and tangy flavor, and perfect with potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, or grilled corn.
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How to Make BBQ Chicken
Bone-in chicken takes a little longer to grill than boneless chicken breasts, but the results are worth it. The meat stays tender and juicy while the skin gets lightly crisp and smoky.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat and oil the grates to keep the chicken from sticking. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then place it skin-side down on the grill. Cook for about 15 minutes to brown the skin.
- Flip the chicken and brush it with barbecue sauce. Continue grilling for 20 to 30 minutes, brushing with more sauce as it cooks, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is sticky and caramelized.
- Barbecue sauce has sugar in it, so adding it after the chicken has started cooking keeps it from burning. Use a meat thermometer for the best results. Chicken breasts should reach 165°F, and thighs or drumsticks are best at 175°F.
Got Leftovers?
If there’s any left, your BBQ chicken will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or a couple months in the freezer!
Don’t forget, you can use leftover BBQ chicken to top a caesar salad, a baked potato, to make a wrap or sandwich or even on nachos with some guacamole, sour cream and shredded cheddar!
Let’s Get Grilling!
- Grilled Pork Teriyaki – only 3 ingredients!
- Grilled Pork Chops – delicious and tender!
- Parmesan Grilled Asparagus – grill in under 10 minutes!
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken – my all time favorite.
- Grilled Zucchini– zesty and flavorful.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Rub chicken with olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Cook chicken skin side down on an oiled grate for 15 minutes.
- Turn over, baste with barbecue sauce. Cook an additional 20 to 30 minutes, continuing to brush with sauce (breast should reach 165°F and thighs should reach 175°F).
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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Can we bake this?
If so what time & temperature
Thx
I haven’t made this one in the oven yet. You should try oven baked chicken breasts, Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets or Crispy Baked Chicken Legs. We especially love Oven Barbecued Ribs!
Made this exactly as directed tonight, and it was GREAT! Thanks for taking a seemingly overwhelming task (grilling a whole chicken) and making it easy (and delicious). This was so juicy, and the skin had a beautiful char. My whole family was raving. Thanks for sharing!
Tried this tonight. Came out perfect. Nice char on the outside. Chicken was very moist, cooked perfectly. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Although you have some olive oil in the ingredientsit is not used in the preparation …
Thank you Nora! We rub the chicken with oil, then season. Updated!
I love this grilled bbq chicken recipe and i found this recipe really easy to make and very delicious in taste. Thanks for sharing this grilled bbq chicken recipe.
Now I know how and for how long to BBQ chicken. Thanks.!
Hi
This recipe is so simple and delicious . I am planing to do this weekend. One quick question. should I close the lid while cooking thighs?
Hi Raksha, I would recommend it. Closing the lid will keep a more consistent temperature on your grill and allow the chicken to cook more evenly!
The recipe is quite spicy and cool
Woooow…..Homemade!!! It’s the only thing that taste good! And so easy to do…
I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!
Dang Thai from Embeya!
Looks yummy
It tastes so good too Marlene!
I love to cook everything looks absolutely yummy can’t wait till I get some of the recipes
Can’t wait for you to start enjoying these yummy recipes either Shirley. Have fun cooking!
Yummy
Enjoy Mary Ellen!!
I love your recipes Holly. Theres only one problem. I’m a 74 yr. old widow who lives alone in an apartment bldg. I can’t own a barbeque nor use one. (company rules) Is there another recipe you have where I can make it in my oven?
Thank you Arthur :)! You may like to try Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets or Crispy Baked Chicken Legs. We especially love Oven Barbecued Ribs!
They sell indoor grills. I have one and I love it.
Or use the recipe but just bake in oven.
Good Luck!
Do you turn the chicken throughout basting it?
This looks sooooo good. Can I make it in the oven?
Angela, I haven’t made this one in the oven (yet ;)). You should try oven baked chicken breasts, Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets or Crispy Baked Chicken Legs. We especially love Oven Barbecued Ribs!