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Home » Grilling » BBQ Chicken (Grilled or Baked)

May 20, 2020 By Sara 13 Comments

BBQ Chicken (Grilled or Baked)

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This BBQ chicken is chicken pieces that are grilled or baked until juicy and tender, then coated in BBQ sauce and cooked until caramelized. An easy dinner option with minimal ingredients that is always a big hit!

During the warmer weather months, I’m always outside grilling salmon, vegetables and this flavorful and succulent barbecue chicken. My kids request this recipe all summer long!

Super easy BBQ chicken that can be grilled or baked with perfect results every time! Super easy BBQ chicken that can be grilled or baked with perfect results every time!

A platter of BBQ chicken garnished with corn on the cob and parsley.

BBQ chicken is a summer staple for good reason – it’s a great way to feed a crowd, simple to make, and goes well with a variety of side dishes. I’ve also provided an option for baked BBQ chicken that’s great to make all year round.

How do you make BBQ chicken?

This recipe starts with bone-in, skin on chicken pieces. You can buy an assortment of your favorite cuts of chicken, or cut a whole chicken into 8 pieces. The chicken pieces are brushed with a little oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, then they go onto the grill. Once the chicken is cooked most of the way through, brush some BBQ sauce over the top. Continue to cook the chicken until it is done, then add a final coating of BBQ sauce and serve.

Raw chicken pieces on a plate.

Tips for the perfect BBQ chicken

  • I typically make this recipe with chicken thighs and drumsticks as they are inexpensive and have a lot of flavor. If you use chicken breasts, you may want to cut them in half crosswise so that they cook at the same rate as the smaller chicken pieces.
  • You can use any type of BBQ sauce that you like. I typically make my own homemade BBQ sauce, but a high quality store bought sauce is also a great choice.
  • This chicken makes great leftovers. You can reheat it in a covered dish in the oven, or in the microwave.
  • Looking for even more flavor? Try coating your chicken pieces with BBQ rub before they hit the grill.
  • If you don’t have an outdoor grill or it’s too cold to barbecue, use an indoor grill pan or the oven. To cook this chicken in the oven, simply roast it at high heat, brush on sauce towards the end, then broil until the sauce is caramelized.

Chicken thighs and drumsticks on a grill pan.

How long do you barbecue chicken for?

Bone-in skin-on chicken pieces take about 30-40 minutes to cook through. You’ll want to cook the chicken until it’s almost done, then add the sauce during the last 5 minutes of the cooking time. If you add the sauce too soon, it may burn due to the sugar content.

Barbecue sauce being brushed over grilled chicken.

How do you know when chicken is done?

Chicken is safe to eat when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F. The chicken should not be pink inside, and the juices should run clear. I use a digital thermometer with a remote so that I can monitor the progress of the chicken as it cooks. When the chicken reaches about 160 degrees F, I brush on the BBQ sauce and finish the cooking process.

What can you make with BBQ chicken?

I always make a double batch of chicken so that I have leftovers for another meal! Here are some great options to use up any extra chicken.

  • Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
  • Pizza
  • Salad
  • Chicken Chili
  • Tacos

A hold holding a BBQ chicken drumstick.

This recipe is a classic for good reason. I love how easy it is to make, and my family and friends love that sweet and smoky flavor!

More recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
  • Garlic Butter Grilled Mushrooms
  • Grilled Zucchini
  • Potato Foil Packets
  • Grilled Chicken Breast

BBQ Chicken Video

A platter of BBQ chicken garnished with corn on the cob and parsley.
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5 from 12 votes

BBQ Chicken

This BBQ chicken is chicken pieces that are grilled or baked until juicy and tender, then coated in BBQ sauce and cooked until caramelized. An easy dinner option with minimal ingredients that is always a big hit!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue chicken, BBQ chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 334kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone in, skin on chicken pieces
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce homemade or store bought, divided use

Instructions

Grilling directions

  • Heat a grill to medium heat. Brush the vegetable oil over the chicken pieces and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Place the chicken on the grill. Cook for 30-35 minutes, turning occasionally, or until the internal temperature registers at least 160 degrees F.
  • Brush half of the BBQ sauce over the chicken pieces. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees F.
  • Brush the remaining sauce over the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5-7 minutes, then serve.

Baking directions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
  • Brush the vegetable oil over the chicken pieces and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Bake the chicken for 35 minutes. Brush half the sauce over the chicken. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3-5 minutes or until chicken is browned and caramelized and the internal temperature of the meat is at least 165 degrees F.
  • Brush the remaining sauce over the chicken, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 853mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 213IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Dinner, Grilling Tagged With: Chicken

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Comments

  1. Carey says

    August 11, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    The family loved this chicken! The chicken was so delicious with the rub and home made bbq sauce!

    Reply
  2. Carrie says

    June 23, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    5 stars
    Another family pleaser! The chicken was so delicious with the rub and home made bbq sauce!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      June 23, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks so much Carrie, glad you liked it!!

      Reply
  3. Krissy Allori says

    May 28, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    5 stars
    I love grilled chicken. This looks so good and so easy. I have vowed to become a grill master this summer so I’m saving this to make.

    Reply
  4. Lisalia says

    May 28, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    5 stars
    The PERFECT grilled chicken. Thanks for this easy to follow yet OUT of this WORLD recipe. So delicious.

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    May 28, 2020 at 6:44 pm

    5 stars
    I can NOT wait to make this chicken as soon as I can! Looks amazing!

    Reply
  6. Catalina says

    May 26, 2020 at 11:13 pm

    5 stars
    I am drooling over this chicken. Looks so delicious!

    Reply
  7. Jacque Hastert says

    May 26, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t believe how much flavor that this chicken packs! I love that you have included both grilled and also baked.

    Reply
  8. Beti says

    May 26, 2020 at 7:52 am

    5 stars
    This chicken looks incredibly delicious! My family would love it!

    Reply
  9. katerina says

    May 26, 2020 at 7:51 am

    5 stars
    Such a fantastic chicken dish!! LOVE this!

    Reply
  10. Kevin says

    May 26, 2020 at 7:41 am

    5 stars
    I love this chicken dish! Cannot wait to make it again!

    Reply
  11. Jen says

    May 26, 2020 at 5:11 am

    5 stars
    This is one of our favorite dinners! Easy to make and love that we can make it on the grill or in the kitchen. I try to make more so we can use leftovers for chicken salad the next day.

    Reply
  12. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

    May 25, 2020 at 10:44 pm

    5 stars
    This BBQ chicken is looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!

    Reply

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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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