If you are craving a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for your next cookout or family dinner, this Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe is an absolute winner. It combines the unbeatable smoky charm of grilled chicken with a perfect balance of sweet and savory BBQ flavors that make each bite irresistibly tender and juicy. The process starts with a flavorful brine that locks in moisture, followed by a vibrant spice rub and finishes with a luscious BBQ glaze, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or just starting out, this recipe will have you serving up chicken that tastes like it came from your favorite backyard BBQ joint.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients ready for this Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe couldn’t be simpler. Each item plays a vital role in layering flavors and creating the perfect texture, from the salt and sugar in the brine that tenderize, to the smoky spices that complement the rich BBQ sauce beautifully.
- 2 quart water: The base for the brine to keep your chicken moist and juicy.
- 3 tablespoons salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing flavor into the chicken during brining.
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and enhances caramelization on the grill.
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed): Gives a fragrant depth to the brine’s aroma.
- 4-5 lbs chicken pieces: A variety of cuts like breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings ensure a mix of textures and flavors.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: For the spice rub, intensifying the sweetness to balance smoky notes.
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika: Brings vibrant color and mild earthiness.
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin: Adds warmth and subtle spice complexity.
- 2 teaspoons onion powder: Delivers savory depth without overpowering.
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder: Reinforces garlicky goodness in the seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Infuses a smoky aroma that lifts the BBQ flavor.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the spice blend perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper: Gives a gentle kick of heat and sharpness.
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (or more to taste): The finishing glaze that seals in moisture and adds tangy, sweet richness.
How to Make Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Brine the Chicken
The secret to incredibly juicy and flavorful chicken starts with the brine. Mix water, salt, brown sugar, and crushed garlic in a large bowl. Trim any excess fat from the chicken pieces and immerse them fully in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or for the best results, let them soak for up to 24 hours. This step ensures the chicken stays succulent during grilling and helps the spices penetrate deeply.
Step 2: Prepare for Grilling
When you’re ready to cook, heat your grill to high. While it’s heating up, mix your spice rub ingredients—brown sugar, ground paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper—in a small bowl. This aromatic blend will create a flavorful crust that complements the BBQ sauce beautifully.
Step 3: Season the Chicken
Drain the chicken from the brine and discard the brining liquid. It’s important to pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to get the best crust on the grill. Rub the spice mixture generously all over each piece, making sure every nook and cranny is covered. This adds layers of flavor and ensures every bite bursts with zest.
Step 4: Grill Covered on Indirect Heat
Lower your grill heat to around 360°F—on a gas grill—or move the chicken to indirect heat if using charcoal. Start grilling the chicken skin-side up with the lid closed for about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken, close the lid again, and grill for an additional 5 to 10 minutes depending on the size of your pieces. Cooking covered ensures the heat circulates evenly, cooking the chicken through without burning.
Step 5: Grill Uncovered to Create Those Perfect Grill Marks
Crank up the grill to 425°F or transfer the chicken to direct heat to give it that signature grill char. Cook uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, flipping once or twice. This step adds gorgeous browning and smoky flavor that’s visually appealing and deliciously satisfying.
Step 6: Baste with BBQ Sauce and Finish Cooking
Once the chicken hits an internal temperature of at least 155°F, it’s time to baste. Brush on a generous layer of BBQ sauce, grill for 2 minutes, flip, baste again, and grill for another 2 minutes. This final touch caramelizes the sauce perfectly. When your chicken reaches 165°F internally, remove it from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes to lock in all those juicy flavors before serving.
How to Serve Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A simple garnish can take your Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe from delicious to show-stopping. Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro adds a burst of color and freshness. Thinly sliced green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds provide texture and subtle flavor pops that complement the smoky BBQ sauce brilliantly.
Side Dishes
This grilled chicken shines best alongside classic BBQ companions. Think creamy coleslaw for crunch, buttery corn on the cob straight off the grill, or a vibrant potato salad. If you want to keep it light, a crisp garden salad or grilled vegetables make excellent choices that won’t overshadow the star of the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your grilled BBQ chicken into the centerpiece of a festive spread by serving it family-style on a large wooden board surrounded by grilled lemon wedges and fresh herbs. For a fun twist, shred the grilled chicken and serve as sliders with pickles and slaw, or slice it to top a warm grain bowl with roasted veggies and a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover grilled BBQ chicken, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Keeping it covered tightly prevents dryness and preserves the fresh smoky flavor for easy meals later in the week.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap the chicken in foil or plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will maintain good quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the texture nice and tender.
Reheating
For the best flavor and texture, reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 300°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat on the grill over low indirect heat with a little extra BBQ sauce to revive that fresh-grilled taste and juiciness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of BBQ sauce?
Absolutely! This Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe is versatile enough to pair with your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauces, whether you prefer sweet, spicy, smoky, or tangy varieties. Feel free to experiment until you find your perfect match.
Do I have to brine the chicken?
While you can skip brining, the process greatly improves moisture retention and flavor infusion. The brine helps prevent the chicken from drying out during grilling, especially when using leaner cuts like breasts.
Is this recipe suitable for charcoal grills?
Definitely! The recipe works wonderfully on charcoal grills. Just remember to use indirect heat during the initial cooking phases and move the chicken to direct heat for those beautiful grill marks at the end.
How can I tell when the chicken is done?
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, make sure the juices run clear and there’s no pink near the bone.
Can I make this recipe without skin-on chicken?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless pieces, but the skin adds extra flavor, moisture, and texture. If using skinless cuts, watch cooking time carefully as they cook faster and can dry out more easily.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that brings people together, filling your backyard with irresistible aromas and your table with smiles. It’s straightforward, rewarding, and endlessly adaptable to your flavor preferences. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy every juicy, smoky, saucy bite as much as I do!
Print
Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
A flavorful grilled BBQ chicken recipe featuring a savory brine and a robust homemade spice rub, finished with a tangy BBQ sauce glaze. This method ensures juicy, tender chicken with smoky grill marks and a perfectly caramelized sauce.
Ingredients
Brine
- 2 quart water
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
Chicken
- 4–5 lbs chicken pieces (a mix of boneless/skinless chicken breasts and bone-in, skin-on thighs, drumsticks, and wings)
Spice Mix
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Finishing Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Brine chicken: Combine the water, salt, brown sugar, and crushed garlic in a very large bowl to create the brine. Trim any excess fat off the chicken pieces and fully submerge them in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow the chicken to absorb moisture and flavor.
- Prepare for grilling: Heat your grill on high. Meanwhile, combine all the spice mix ingredients – brown sugar, ground paprika, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper – in a small bowl and mix well.
- Prepare chicken: Remove the chicken from the brine and discard the brine. Pat the chicken pieces dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure proper grilling. Rub each piece generously with the prepared spice mix, coating all sides evenly.
- Grill covered: Lower the grill heat to about 360°F if using a gas grill; if using charcoal, position chicken over indirect heat. Place chicken skin-side up on the grill and close the lid. Grill covered for 10 minutes, then flip the pieces and grill covered for another 5 to 10 minutes, adjusting time based on the size of the pieces, until partially cooked through.
- Grill uncovered: Increase the grill temperature to 425°F or move the chicken directly over the heat source if using charcoal. Continue grilling uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, flipping once or twice, until the chicken develops rich brown color and distinct grill marks.
- Baste and finish: When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 155°F, begin basting with BBQ sauce. Grill for 2 minutes, flip the chicken and baste again, then grill for another 2 minutes. Once the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Notes
- Brining the chicken adds moisture and enhances flavor, but don’t skip the drying step before grilling to get good sear marks.
- Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked but not overdone.
- You can adjust the spice rub according to your preferred heat level by adding cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Allow the chicken to rest after grilling for juicier results.
- Use indirect heat for the initial grilling phase to cook the chicken through without burning the exterior.
