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Best Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe

Best Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe

This grilled BBQ chicken recipe uses juicy chicken, smoky spices, and sweet BBQ sauce for a tender, flavorful dish perfect for easy family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marination Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American / BBQ
Servings 4
Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

  • Grill (charcoal or gas)
  • Tongs (for flipping safely)
  • Basting brush (for BBQ sauce)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Meat thermometer (optional but very helpful)
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Aluminum foil (for resting the chicken)

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 1 kg chicken legs, thighs, or breast pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

For the BBQ Sauce:

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar apple cider or white
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Optional Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley chopped
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  • Start by cleaning and patting the chicken dry. This step is small but important—it helps the seasoning stick better.
  • In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub this mixture all over the chicken. Make sure every piece is well coated.
  • Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, leave it in the fridge for 2–4 hours. Trust me, the flavor gets so much better.

Step 2: Make the BBQ Sauce

  • In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, vinegar, chili flakes, and soy sauce.
  • Taste it. This is your moment to adjust:
  • Want it sweeter? Add a little more honey
  • Want it tangier? Add a splash of vinegar
  • Want heat? Increase chili flakes
  • I always taste as I go—that’s one of my biggest cooking habits.

Step 3: Preheat the Grill

  • Heat your grill to medium heat. If you’re using charcoal, let the coals turn slightly white before placing the chicken.
  • Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken

  • Place the chicken on the grill. Cook for about 5–7 minutes on each side.
  • At this stage, don’t add the BBQ sauce yet. Let the chicken cook and develop a nice char first.

Step 5: Add the Sauce

  • Once the chicken is almost cooked, start brushing the BBQ sauce on top.
  • Flip and brush again. Do this 2–3 times to build that sticky, caramelized layer.
  • This is where the magic happens—the sauce thickens, the sugars caramelize, and the aroma becomes absolutely irresistible.

Step 6: Check Doneness

  • The chicken should be fully cooked inside (internal temperature around 75°C / 165°F).
  • If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into a piece—the juices should run clear, not pink.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

  • Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This keeps it juicy.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Keyword Best Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe