This grilled BBQ chicken is made with simple dry rub and then basted with BBQ sauce for an easy recipe that is tender, juicy and mouth watering any night of the week!
Want more summer grilling recipes? Try grilled pork chops, grilled chicken thighs recipe and this easy grilled chicken breast.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy and flavorful: A simple spice penetrates the meat so the inside is just as flavorful as the BBQ sauce that coats the outside of the chicken!
- Tender and juicy: A two-zone grilling method starts with searing the chicken on high heat then moving it to indirect heat once it’s basted. It locks in the moisture and smoky BBQ chicken taste!
Substitutions and Variations
Feel free to play around with the seasonings. I find the simpler the better for this particular recipe, but there’s no rule against adding extra flavor!
- Spice rub: Garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and other spices could be a great addition to your spice rub.
- Brine: If you want to brine your chicken ahead of time, you can soak the pieces in buttermilk or this chicken marinade.
- BBQ sauce: Make a homemade BBQ sauce or try a popular store brand like Sweet Baby Ray’s. Try something tropical like I use in huli chicken!
- Oven baked: If the weather isn’t conducive to grilling, make baked BBQ chicken or oven baked chicken wings instead!
How to Grill BBQ Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and add the pieces to a large bowl. Coat with oil and seasoning and toss the chicken until completely coated. Use your hands to rub it in if you would like.
Place chicken skin side down, over direct heat (where the flame is). Grill uncovered for 5-10 minutes until the skin is well seared.
Flip them over and place back on grill over indirect heat (the cooler side of the grill). Reduce the heat then cover and grill for 20-30 minutes.
Flip the chicken over and baste with the BBQ sauce. Cover and grill for another 15-20 minutes. Flip once more and baste the other side. Cover and cook for another 10-30 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F degrees.
Make Ahead and Storing
- Make ahead: If you have time, sprinkle the spice rub over the chicken, getting the under the skin if you can. Cover and allow to sit an hour or overnight.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, avoid drying out the meat. Cover with foil and pop in the oven to reheat or heat in the microwave until warm. It’s also delicious cold!
- Freeze: Cool completely, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap then transfer to a freezer bag. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Want more BBQ chicken recipes? Try these BBQ chicken tacos, BBQ pulled chicken or BBQ chicken pizza next!
More Grilling Recipes
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Toss chicken pieces with oil, paprika, salt, and pepper until completely coated.
- Preheat one side of the grill to high heat.
- Place the chicken pieces, skin-side down, over the direct heat. Grill uncovered 5 to 10 minutes, or until well seared. Flip pieces over and place over the side with no heat. Reduce the side with heat to low or medium low, no higher than 300℉.
- Transfer the pieces, skin side down, to the hot side of the grill. Sear and blacken slightly 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Using a clean brush, coat the chicken with BBQ sauce to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Chicken, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Grilling, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Oh man, we all absolutely loved this recipe! BBQ chicken cooked on the grill? DELISH.
So glad that you enjoyed it!
Everyone in my house loved this grilled BBQ chicken! We’ll definitely be having it all summer long, thank you!!
That is great to hear! I am so glad that you loved this grilled bbq chicken. It is a keeper!
A new favorite for our next grilling! Everyone loved it!