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!
What’s the point of grilling chicken? It’s already chicken, try roasting it for better flavor!
Grilling adds a nice smoky flavor that roasting just can’t replicate. Plus, it’s all about that grill mark aesthetic! 🍗🔥
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!
I followed it pretty closely, but my sauce got a little too sticky and charred on the edges. Next time I’ll brush it later in the cook or thin the BBQ sauce a bit.
So good! Like, my kids ate it and asked for more 😅
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?
Made this last night—super easy and the chicken stayed juicy. I brushed a second coat halfway through and it grilled up perfectly. The garlic + paprika combo is legit.
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.
Tried it but my sauce got a little too sticky and charred on high heat. Next time I’ll lower the grill slightly and brush more toward the end. Still tasty though!
GR8 recipe! Chicken came out perfect and the sauce was yum! 🐔❤️
I think my grill is broken cause my chicken didn’t cook right. Maybe too much BBQ sauce?
I used too much garlic and my husband complained all night. Less is more folks.
BBQ sauce + garlic sounds good, but I don’t get why there’s so much olive oil—mine splattered a lot. Maybe I used too much. Flavor was okay.
Yeah, I get that—olive oil can splatter a lot on the grill. I’d try using a lighter hand when brushing, and make sure your grill isn’t too hot. Also, if the sauce mixture is super thick, it tends to burn and spit more. Flavor being okay means the base is good!
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.
I used ketchup instead of BBQ sauce and it was not great… but my kids ate it, so there’s that.
Ketchup? That’s bold! I guess if the kids liked it, then it’s a win! Maybe try the real BBQ sauce next time?
Not bad, but 8-10 minutes per side feels long for my grill and the breasts came out slightly dry. Would love instructions for thicker vs thinner chicken.
Thanks! Yeah 8–10 min/side depends a lot on thickness and grill temp. If you’ve got thinner breasts (about 1/2–3/4 inch), I’d start checking around 5–7 min per side, and for thicker (closer to 1 inch+), maybe 8–12 min per side—then rely on an instant-read thermometer (165°F in the thickest part) instead of just time. Also, brushing with BBQ sauce mid-to-late cook can help keep them juicy—too much sauce early can caramelize and dry them out. Hope that helps!
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. 😂
Looks good, but it’s just grilled chicken, right? Not that special if you ask me.
Grilled chicken can be delish! The BBQ sauce makes it pop! Don’t knock it till you try it!
Wasn’t sure about the olive oil part, but it actually made it better! Thanks for the tip!
Solid recipe, but I’d suggest brining the chicken first if you want it extra tender. Also, 8-10 minutes per side felt a bit long on my grill—watch the internal temp instead of relying only on time.
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.