Looking for the perfect grilling recipe? Try this simple and irresistible grilled BBQ chicken! Marinated in a delicious blend of spices and coated in a rich BBQ sauce, this BBQ chicken on the grill is guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. Follow our step-by-step instructions and enjoy juicy and flavorful meat that melts in your mouth. This easy grilled chicken recipe with BBQ sauce is ideal for a family lunch or a summer party.
Grill bone-in BBQ chicken for about 30–40 minutes over medium heat, turning every 5–7 minutes and basting with sauce during the last 10–15 minutes. For boneless chicken breasts, grill for 6–8 minutes per side.
Preheat your grill to medium heat, around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C). This ensures a juicy inside and nicely charred outside.
Apply BBQ sauce during the last 10–15 minutes of grilling to avoid burning the sugars in the sauce. Start grilling the chicken without sauce, then baste frequently near the end.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for chicken breasts and 175°F (79°C) for thighs and drumsticks
Try classic pairings like corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, or a crisp green salad.
It’s best to thaw chicken completely before grilling to ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Place chicken breasts on the grill and brush generously with BBQ sauce mixture. Cook for 8-10 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious grilled BBQ chicken!
Notes
For the juiciest chicken, marinate it for at least 2–4 hours (or overnight!) to lock in flavor and moisture. 🍗 Preheat the Grill:
Make sure your grill is hot before placing the chicken on — this helps prevent sticking and creates beautiful grill marks. 🍗 Use Indirect Heat:
Cook the chicken over indirect heat first, then move it over direct heat to finish and caramelize the BBQ sauce without burning it. 🍗 Baste at the End:
Brush on BBQ sauce during the last 5–10 minutes of grilling to avoid burning the sugars in the sauce. 🍗 Check Internal Temperature:
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe, juicy results.
Nutrition
Yummy! Just had it with some mac n cheese on the side. Perfect summer meal!
How long does it take to grill frozen chicken? 🤔
It usually takes longer to grill frozen chicken, like around 15-20 minutes per side. But be careful, it can get dry! 🤷♂️
Easy to make! Just threw everything on the grill and it was delicious. Made it with corn on the side, yum! Will definitely repeat.
So basic. Just BBQ sauce and chicken. Where’s the creativity? I was hoping for something more exciting.
I added a bit of honey to the BBQ sauce and it came out great. Experimenting is the best!
Honey? Really? Isn’t that too sweet for BBQ sauce? I stick to the recipe as is.
I never thought of adding honey! Gonna try that next time. Sounds yummy!
This recipe is sooo good! The chicken turned out juicy and flavorful. Definitely a keeper!
Okay recipe, but why so much garlic? So overpowering.
I actually love garlic! It gives the chicken a nice flavor. Maybe just use less if you find it too much.
Too much garlic??? I thought it was 2 cloves. That’s not even a lot. You must be sensitive to it or something.
Grill? I just baked it and it worked fine for me. This is a solid recipe.
BBQ sauce doesn’t belong on chicken! Real BBQ is smoked, not grilled. Come on, seriously?
I had a lot of trouble with this one. The grill kept flaring up. The chicken ended up a bit burnt. 😩
Burnt chicken? That happens. Just use a timer next time and keep an eye on it. It’s not hard, I promise! 🤷♂️
Grilling can be tricky! 🙈 Maybe try lowering the heat next time? I usually keep mine on medium-low to avoid flare-ups.
GR8 recipe! Chicken came out perfect and the sauce was yum! 🐔❤️
Yummy! Chicken good! Me like grilling food. Easy recipe. Me make again.
Grilling is fun but how can you make sure the chicken don’t dry out? I’m skeptical about the cooking time.
Sounds delicious! I love grilling too. Chicken burgers are also nice! My family loves this recipe.
Is it just me or is BBQ sauce too sweet for chicken? I prefer it with just spices. But my kids loved it, so what do I know?
Only took me 20 minutes! Perfect for weeknights. Nice cooking instructions too, easy to follow.
I totally agree! This is a lifesaver for busy nights! Plus, who doesn’t love BBQ chicken? Yum!
20 minutes? Really? That sounds quick, but mine always takes longer. Maybe I’m just slow. 😂
This recipe is super easy and the chicken turned out amazing! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
Chicken is a bird, right? So I guess it’s good. Meat is meat. 😅
Haha, true! But chicken is super tasty grilled! Can’t go wrong with BBQ sauce. 😋
I think I can make this without a grill? Just bake in the oven or what? 🤷♂️
Baking? I thought grills were the only way. 🤔 Hope it turns out good, but it won’t be the same, right?
Yeah, you can definitely bake it! Just use a baking dish at around 375°F. It’ll still be tasty.
BBQ chicken is always a winner at our family gatherings! Everybody loved it!
I totally agree! BBQ chicken is the best, especially when cooked just right. Can’t wait to try this recipe at my next family get-together!
Looks good, but I don’t know about that cook time. Seems a bit long for chicken. Anyone else thinks so?
Ugh, my grill caught fire! Now I have no chicken and a big mess… I think I’ll just order takeout next time.
Yummy! I added some cayenne for a kick and it was perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Cayenne sounds like a great idea! I love a bit of spice in my meals. Thanks for the tip!
Quick and easy! I love BBQ chicken, and this was perfect for our family BBQ. Two thumbs up!
Chicken was delish! My kids didn’t complain for once! 10/10 would cook again.
Fantastic! Best BBQ chicken ever! 🤤
This is the simplest recipe I have ever tried. Grill on, folks! 👍
Looks easy and all but I wonder if it’s really that simple. What if the chicken burns? 🤔
I totally agree! This recipe is foolproof! Had it for dinner last night and my family loved it! ❤️
I don’t know what everyone is raving about. Mine turned out dry. I think cooking times should be longer or something. Not impressed.
Yum! Just made this and my family loved it! The garlic adds a nice touch!
I used a different brand of BBQ sauce and it came out kinda weird. Stick with your fav, I guess.
I don’t know why, but my chicken was so dry. Followed the recipe exactly. Maybe my grill is too hot?
Umm, where’s the ketchup? BBQ sauce is just fancy ketchup right?
BBQ sauce is like ketchup but better! It’s got more flavor, trust me. 😂
This recipe was fantastic! The chicken turned out juicy and full of flavor. I’ll definitely make it again.
Too simple for a BBQ, didn’t really impress my friends. They preferred my burgers.
Burgers are classics, but grilled chicken can be tasty too! I guess not everyone appreciates it. Did you use a different BBQ sauce?
I think simple is good! Sometimes the best meals are the easiest to make. Maybe try adding some sides to impress your friends next time!
This was super easy to make and tasted amazing! My family loved it.
Easy? I thought it would be complicated. Do you really think it tastes that good?
I’m glad you liked it! BBQ chicken is always a hit. 🥳
Y’all, I made this last night and my boyfriend said it was better than takeout! Def a keeper.
Do i really need to preheat the grill? Seems like a waste of time! 🤷♂️
This grilled BBQ chicken recipe is a total winner! I made it for my family and they loved it. Super juicy and flavorful. 5 stars!
I don’t know about this. My chicken was dry and the sauce just didn’t work for me. Maybe I did something wrong.
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe it was just the cooking time. Try marinating the chicken next time; it helps keep it moist!
I don’t get what you mean, the sauce is the best part! Just gotta keep an eye on the chicken while cooking. Mine turned out perfect!
I don’t get why BBQ sauce is so sweet. I like it better without the sauce. Maybe try a dry rub instead next time.
I totally get what you mean! A good dry rub can really bring out the flavor of the chicken without all that sweetness. More savory, less sugar!
Easy, tasty, and quick. Just what I needed after a long day!
This recipe looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it myself. Thanks for sharing!
Grilled BBQ chicken? More like burnt BBQ chicken for me. 😩 I messed it up bad.
So easy, even my kid could make it. Not bad for a weekday dinner.
This sounds great! I love that it’s kid-friendly. Can’t wait to try it!
Too oily for my taste, I think less olive oil would be better. But the flavor was alright.
I think you’re right about the oil! It’s classic BBQ chicken, but too much oil can ruin it. I’ll try cutting back next time!
This recipe is a game changer! So juicy and flavorful!