Best BBQ Chicken Recipe

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Updated June 2024 Best BBQ Chicken Recipe has my super simple secret method for making the moistest, flavorful, delicious BBQ chicken you will ever eat. When I make this chicken for a party or get-together, I never have to worry about leftovers. It is that good.

What can you serve with your BBQ chicken? Serve it with Grilled Asparagus, Mexican Street Corn and Potato Salad: Red, White, and Blue for a summer holiday BBQ picnic. Wash it down with a picture of Strawberry Lemonade, and for dessert a piece of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For the Vegans at the BBQ grill up some Beyond Meat Burgers.

Key Takeaways:

Super Moist and Flavorful BBQ Chicken: This recipe uses a simple secret method to ensure the chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor—always a crowd-pleaser with no leftovers at gatherings.
Essential BBQ Chicken Tips: Create a DIY chicken rub for extra flavor (recipe included) and use a grill basket to prevent delicate, fall-apart chicken from being lost to the flames.
Balanced Nutrition: Chicken breast is high in protein and low in fat, containing tryptophan to boost mood and improve sleep, making it both delicious and nutritious.
Perfect BBQ Pairings: Serve BBQ chicken with summer favorites like Grilled Asparagus, Mexican Street Corn, Potato Salad, Strawberry Lemonade, and a dessert of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.
Step-by-Step Cooking Process: Prebake the chicken for tender results, dry the skin in the oven, and finish with a quick char on the grill for crispiness.
Customizable BBQ Experience: Choose your favorite BBQ sauce—spicy or sweet—and save leftover rub for other dishes like steak or veggies.

Overview

When it comes to creating the ultimate summer BBQ experience, this juicy, flavor-packed BBQ chicken recipe is the undisputed star of the table. Using a clever prebake-and-char technique, the chicken turns out irresistibly tender on the inside with a beautifully crisped, caramelized exterior—ideal for backyard gatherings, picnics, or holiday cookouts. What truly elevates this meal, though, are the thoughtful pairings: serve the chicken alongside smoky grilled asparagus, zesty Mexican street corn, and a festive red, white, and blue potato salad for a spread that screams summer. Refresh the palate with a chilled pitcher of homemade strawberry lemonade, then finish off with a nostalgic slice of strawberry rhubarb pie topped with vanilla ice cream. Even plant-based guests are covered, thanks to hearty Beyond Meat burgers fresh off the grill. This recipe isn’t just a meal—it’s a full-sensory celebration of summer, complete with nutritional benefits, customizable flavors, and smart cooking tips that make entertaining easy and stress-free.

SIS Simple is Smart Tip

Tip 1: Make your own Chicken Rub with my quick and simple recipe below. Use the extra on steak or veggies.
Tip 2: Use a grill basket instead of grilling directly on the grill. The prebaked chicken is fall off the bone tender and will fall apart if you don’t use a grill basket.

Nutrition of Chicken Breast

Chicken breast are high in protein and low in fat making them a good source of nutrition for our brains and body. They contain tryptophan, an ammino acid that is an important precursor to melatonin and also seratonin. Tryptophan has been shown to increase both of these neurotransmitters in your brain helping to elevate your mood and improve your sleep.

Summer is synonymous with family BBQs and summer parties. Whenever I am hosting the party this Best BBQ Chicken Recipe is a favorite of everyone. I love making it because it takes a small amount of time to make and is amazingly moist, tender, and flavorful.

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken

Chicken Thighs or can also use Chicken Breasts with the skin on them.
DIY BBQ Chicken Rub. recipe included here.
BBQ sauce pick your favorite sauce. Will it be hot and spicy or sweet and mild.

Rub Ingredients:

Dried garlic
Dried onions
Sea salt
Umami powder: This is a dried shitake mushrooms that add an earthiness to the seasoning.
Smoked Paprika
Black pepper
Dried Rosemary

Step by step instructions for BBQ chicken.

Preheat oven to 350°F
Mix the Chicken Rub ingredients together and season the chicken leg quarters with the rub. Save the left over rub in an airtight spice jar for later.
Place the leg quarters in a baking pan and cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 1 hour covered. Turn the oven off and uncover the chicken. Let the chicken rest for 20 minutes in the oven. This dries out the skin, and keeps the skin from coming off when you put the chicken on the BBQ.
Remove the chicken leg quarters with a pair of tongs. They will be soft and may start to fall apart. Paint them with a generous amount of BBQ sauce. I use a grill basket to grill the chicken. The chicken is fully cooked and so moist and tender that it may fall apart and be lost to the flames if you don’t use a grill basket. The BBQ crisps and chars the outside of the chicken.
Grill on the BBQ until the outside is crispy with areas of char. Usually 2-3 minutes on each side.
Serve with additional BBQ sauce.

FAQ for BBQ Chicken

How long should you BBQ chicken?

Time, Temperature and Technique for raw chicken. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. Time: 5 to 6 minutes per side. Chicken Tenders. Time: 2 to 3 minutes per side. Chicken Wings. Time: 15 to 20 minutes. Drumsticks. Time: 30 minutes. Thighs (Bone-In) Time: 30 to 40 minutes. Boneless Skinless Thighs. Technique: Use Direct and Indirect Heat.

Is BBQ Chicken the same as grilled chicken?

There is a difference between BBQ chicken and grilled chicken. BBQ chicken is typically cooked using indirect heat and slow-cooked over a grill or smoker. This method allows the meat to absorb the smoky flavors from the wood chips or charcoal. On the other hand, grilled chicken is cooked directly over high heat for a shorter period of time. This results in a juicy and charred exterior. So while both methods involve cooking chicken over an open flame, the techniques and flavors are distinct.

How long should you BBQ chicken?

You don’t want to undercook BBQ chicken and risk serving raw meat, but you also don’t want to overcook it and end up with dry, flavorless chicken. The answer to how long should your cook it, depends on various factors such as the size of the chicken pieces, the temperature of your grill, and your preferred level of doneness. As a general rule of thumb, boneless chicken breasts usually take about 6-8 minutes per side on a medium-high heat grill. However, if you’re grilling bone-in chicken pieces, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Remember to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F to guarantee that your chicken is safe and delicious.

Should you BBQ chicken on high or low heat?

There is a difference of opinions about this question. Some argue that high heat is the way to go, as it helps to achieve that perfectly crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy. On the other hand, advocates for low heat believe it allows for a more even cooking and prevents the chicken from drying out. So, which one should you choose? Well, it ultimately depends on your preference and the type of chicken you’re cooking. For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, high heat can be a great option as it cooks them quickly and seals in the moisture. However, if you’re working with bone-in or skin-on chicken pieces, low heat might be a better choice to ensure thorough cooking without burning the outside.

What should you not do when grilling chicken?

There are a few things you should avoid doing if you want to achieve the perfect grilled chicken. Do not overcrowd the grill. This can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the chicken from getting those beautiful grill marks. Avoid constantly flipping the chicken. It’s best to let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side to allow for proper browning and caramelization. Resist the temptation to poke or prod the chicken too much while it’s grilling. This can cause the juices to escape and result in dry, flavorless meat. By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to grilling chicken perfection.

How do I tell if barbecue chicken is done?

One of the best ways to tell if barbecue chicken is done is by using a meat thermometer. Inserting the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) will guarantee that it’s safe to eat. Another method is to look for clear juices. If you pierce the chicken with a fork or knife and the juices run clear, it’s a good indication that the chicken is cooked through. Also, pay attention to the texture and color of the chicken. Cooked barbecue chicken should have a firm texture and a golden brown color. By using these methods, you can confidently determine if your barbecue chicken is done and ready to serve.

What is the secret to making the Best BBQ Chicken Recipe?

The flavor for this chicken starts with my DIY chicken seasoning or rub. Mix up a double batch and you will have enough to last you all summer. Use 1 – 2 teaspoons per chicken leg-quarter. This rub is loaded with flavor and my secret ingredient makes the flavor really “pop.” Umami Powder (shiitake mushroom powder) enhances all the flavors that are in the rub. (click here) for where to purchase Umami powder. It is very versatile and enhances the flavor of soups, stews, sauces, and vegetables. It is so good.

The secret for making the chicken moist and tender is baking before BBQing, the chicken. Baking the chicken first, keeps it from becoming chicken jerky on the BBQ. The chicken is finished on the BBQ for about 5 minutes. Just long enough to give it that BBQ flavor and crisp up the outsides of the piece of chicken. Because the chicken is so moist and ,tender, is is very important to use a grill basket. Without a grill basket the chicken may fall apart on the BBQ and be lost to the flames.

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