There’s no better way to enjoy summer than with Grilled BBQ Chicken! Cook chicken slowly on the grill for tender, juicy meat that tastes amazing when slathered with your favorite BBQ sauce. Great for lazy summer days or large cookouts.
Chicken can seem like such a boring meal, but when it is grilled and slathered with BBQ sauce? NOT BORING. BBQ Grilled Chicken is one of my all-time favorite summer meals because it is super easy and it is ridiculously flavorful and delicious. It can easily be catered to fit any number of people you might be feeding, as well, whether it is 2 or 20.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GRILLED BBQ CHICKEN
STEP 1
Set 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a flat surface. You can also use bone-in chicken thighs.
In a small bowl, combine: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper.
Mix the ingredients together and rub over the entire surface of all chicken pieces.
STEP 2
Light a grill over medium heat. Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 5 minutes per side. After this initial 10 minutes, use a basting brush to coat the surfaces of the chicken and cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer per side for boneless breasts and 15 to 20 minutes longer per side for bone-in thighs. Continue to brush sauce over the meat throughout the last part of the grilling process.
Be sure not to flip the chicken too often during the grilling process. If using bone-in thighs, start off grilling the chicken skin side down.
STEP 3
Determine doneness by cutting into the thickest part of the chicken. Meat that is no longer pink and has clear juices is an indication that it is done. The most accurate way to determine if chicken is done cooking is by using a Thermapen. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Remove chicken from the grill and move the chicken to a flat surface and cover with foil for 5 minutes. Use a salt block for resting for enhanced flavor (LOVE this method)! Brush once more with barbecue sauce just before serving or serve alongside a small bowl for dipping.
RECIPE NOTES
This recipe is already super simple, but if you are looking to simplify even further replace the rub ingredients with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper.
Avoid cooking over high heat or the sauce will burn!
Consider making your own BBQ sauce to use for grilling barbecued chicken. Homemade is best!
USES FOR LEFTOVER GRILLED CHICKEN
There are endless possibilities for ways to use leftover grilled BBQ chicken. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Shred the chicken and add it to your next wrap or salad.
Shred and sandwich it between hamburger buns. Don’t forget an extra bit of BBQ sauce over top!
Throw it into some cheesy quesadillas or even a grilled cheese sandwich.
Shred the meat and load up a plate of nachos with it!
OTHER EASY SUMMER RECIPES
Grilled chicken tastes great alongside a variety of summer dishes. Check out a handful of my favorites!
Best Ever Pasta Salad -This is my favorite pasta salad recipe of ALL TIME. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks. There’s a zesty italian dressing that brings it all together for a perfect salad that could also be your dinner!
Easy Coleslaw – This classic coleslaw contains shredded cabbage, creamy vinaigrette dressing and it’s not loaded down with mayo! This will be your go-to slaw for a dinner side, picnic fare and fish tacos!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob – Make a favorite summer finger food in your Instant Pot: Perfectly cooked corn on the cob EVERY SINGLE TIME. Let your pressure cooker simplify meal-time so you can enjoy every morsel of summer.
Easy Classic Macaroni Salad – Macaroni Salad is creamy, crunchy, filling and totally delicious! You have hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery and dill pickles chopped up and mixed in. You’ll enjoy the diced red onion and flavor of the simple dressing made with mayo, mustard and apple cider vinegar with a few spices thrown in!
Instant Pot Potato Salad – Cook potatoes and eggs together in a single pot! Making potato salad in your pressure cooker takes less than 30 minutes and requires minimal clean-up. This is the perfect party food or summer side dish!
Fruit Salad with a Twist – Put a delicious spin on your next Fruit Salad by adding a super-secret and unexpected ingredient. Simply mix together your favorite fresh summer fruits to enjoy a naturally sweet salad. This salad is a hit at parties!
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- Place the chicken on a flat surface. Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper together and rub over the entire surface of all chicken pieces.
- Light a grill over medium heat. Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 5 minutes per side. After this initial 10 minutes, use a basting brush to coat the surfaces of the chicken and cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer per side for boneless breasts and 15 to 20 minutes longer per side for bone-in thighs. Continue to brush sauce over the meat throughout the last part of the grilling process.
- Be sure not to flip the chicken too often during the grilling process. If using bone-in thighs, start off grilling the chicken skin side down.
- Determine doneness by cutting into the thickest part of the chicken. Meat that is no longer pink and has clear juices is an indication that it is done. The most accurate way to determine if chicken is done cooking is by using a Thermapen. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Remove chicken from the grill and move the chicken to a flat surface and cover with foil for 5 minutes. Brush once more with barbecue sauce just before serving or serve alongside a small bowl for dipping.
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