Description
This Best BBQ Chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken pieces coated in a smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet barbecue sauce. Perfectly grilled to lock in flavor, it’s a classic summer delight that pairs wonderfully with your favorite sides like corn on the cob and coleslaw.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4-6 chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or breasts – bone-in or boneless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
BBQ Sauce Marinade
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. If using boneless chicken, gently pound it to an even thickness to promote even cooking.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin until well combined.
- Marinate: Coat the chicken pieces evenly with the marinade. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. For maximum flavor, marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375-400°F. Oil the grill grates by rubbing them with a paper towel dipped in olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken on the grill. Grill bone-in pieces for 30-35 minutes and boneless pieces for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. During the last few minutes, baste the chicken with additional BBQ sauce to enhance flavor and juiciness.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure safety; boneless chicken should reach 165°F internally. For bone-in, thighs should reach 170°F and breasts 165°F.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute, keeping the meat juicy and tender.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve with extra BBQ sauce and preferred sides like corn on the cob, coleslaw, or potato salad.
- Enjoy: Dig into your juicy, flavorful BBQ chicken, perfect for a delicious meal any time.
Notes
- Marinating longer enhances flavor but avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent texture breakdown.
- Bone-in chicken takes longer to cook than boneless; adjust grilling time accordingly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate doneness and safe consumption.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can broil the chicken in the oven, turning once and basting frequently.
- Feel free to customize the marinade spices to suit your taste preferences.
