Grilled BBQ Chicken is a must have recipe for warm summer nights! Meaty chicken pieces are slathered in a tasty bbq sauce and grilled until tender and juicy with a deliciously crisp sticky skin!
This is the perfect barbecued chicken recipe for a cookout served alongside a classic potato salad or your favorite pasta salad recipe. It’s the king of summer entrees!
How Long to BBQ Chicken
This recipe uses bone in chicken (breast, thighs, legs) which take a bit longer than boneless grilled chicken breasts. Bone-In chicken will generally take about 35-45 minutes to cook through.
Meat is expensive and I always want to make sure it’s cooked right (not over and not under). I strongly suggest a meat thermometer to make sure it’s cooked and to make sure you don’t overcook it so it stays tender and juicy! When taking the temperature of chicken, be certain to keep the thermometer away from the cavity or near any bones for an accurate reading.
BBQ Chicken Temperature: The FDA recommends that bbq chicken reaches 165°F at the thickest point.
How to Make BBQ Chicken
Making bone-in chicken takes longer than making grilled or Oven Baked Chicken Breasts but the results are tender and juicy!
In this barbecue chicken recipe, the first 15 minutes will brown the outer skin and the next 20 to 30 minutes will finish the cooking process. Sugars can burn at high heat so adding the sauce later will keep the chicken from burning on the grill while producing a nice sweet sticky grilled skin!
Preheat the grill to medium heat to make sure it is ready to evenly cook before adding your bird. Brush the grate with oil (I use olive oil but any will do) so the skin doesn’t stick. I usually pour a little bit of oil on a paper towel and use tongs to quickly rub the oil onto the grate.
To Grill BBQ Chicken:
- Season your chicken with salt and pepper.
- Barbecue the chicken with the skin side down for about 15 minutes. Turn it over and baste with BBQ Chicken Sauce (make your own homemade barbecue sauce or use pre-made).
- Cook an additional 20 to 30 minutes, constantly basting with the sauce.
To Tell if BBQ Chicken is Done…
Always check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer (165°) and make sure the juices run clear and not pink. When it’s done, remove your BBQ chicken and let it rest on a plate for a few minutes before serving.
Got Leftovers?
If there’s any left, your BBQ chicken will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or a couple months in the freezer!
Don’t forget, you can use leftover BBQ chicken to top a caesar salad, a baked potato, to make a wrap or sandwich or even on nachos with some guacamole, sour cream and shredded cheddar!
Let’s Get Grilling!
- Grilled Pork Teriyaki – only 3 ingredients!
- Grilled Pork Chops – delicious and tender!
- Parmesan Grilled Asparagus – grill in under 10 minutes!
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken – my all time favorite.
- Grilled Zucchini– zesty and flavorful.
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Rub chicken with olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Cook chicken skin side down on an oiled grate for 15 minutes.
- Turn over, baste with barbecue sauce. Cook an additional 20-30 minutes continuing to brush with sauce (breast should reach 165°F and thighs should reach 175°F).
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
REPIN this Delicious Grilling Recipe
Made this exactly as directed tonight, and it was GREAT! Thanks for taking a seemingly overwhelming task (grilling a whole chicken) and making it easy (and delicious). This was so juicy, and the skin had a beautiful char. My whole family was raving. Thanks for sharing!
Tried this tonight. Came out perfect. Nice char on the outside. Chicken was very moist, cooked perfectly. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Although you have some olive oil in the ingredientsit is not used in the preparation …
Thank you Nora! We rub the chicken with oil, then season. Updated!
I love this grilled bbq chicken recipe and i found this recipe really easy to make and very delicious in taste. Thanks for sharing this grilled bbq chicken recipe.
Now I know how and for how long to BBQ chicken. Thanks.!
Hi
This recipe is so simple and delicious . I am planing to do this weekend. One quick question. should I close the lid while cooking thighs?
Hi Raksha, I would recommend it. Closing the lid will keep a more consistent temperature on your grill and allow the chicken to cook more evenly!
The recipe is quite spicy and cool
Woooow…..Homemade!!! It’s the only thing that taste good! And so easy to do…
I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!
Dang Thai from Embeya!
Looks yummy
It tastes so good too Marlene!
I love to cook everything looks absolutely yummy can’t wait till I get some of the recipes
Can’t wait for you to start enjoying these yummy recipes either Shirley. Have fun cooking!
Yummy
Enjoy Mary Ellen!!
I love your recipes Holly. Theres only one problem. I’m a 74 yr. old widow who lives alone in an apartment bldg. I can’t own a barbeque nor use one. (company rules) Is there another recipe you have where I can make it in my oven?
Thank you Arthur :)! You may like to try Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets or Crispy Baked Chicken Legs. We especially love Oven Barbecued Ribs!
They sell indoor grills. I have one and I love it.
Or use the recipe but just bake in oven.
Good Luck!
Do you turn the chicken throughout basting it?
This looks sooooo good. Can I make it in the oven?
Angela, I haven’t made this one in the oven (yet ;)). You should try oven baked chicken breasts, Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets or Crispy Baked Chicken Legs. We especially love Oven Barbecued Ribs!