Grilled BBQ Chicken is one of our favorite summertime dinners. Not only is the prep time minimal but it allows us to cozy up to the picnic table for a fun family supper. It’s one of my favorite chicken recipes that creates a simple and easy meal.
Grilling chicken is such a fun “excuse” to eat outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature. A recipe like The Easiest Baked Cheesy Chicken with Mushrooms is perfect for winter, but when it’s warm out, I’m all about grilling! While I prefer to do this as much as possible, we really do eat outside about 1-2 times per week during the summer months. It seems like it’s never enough time but I’ll take any time with the family at the dinner table outside that I can get.

Since this recipe is so versatile in flavor and taste, I love changing up the side dishes that I serve with it as well. This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is a great choice as is this Zucchini Casserole. Anytime I get can some healthy food in the tummies of my kids, I’m game!
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Cooking chicken on the grill is just such a fun time. There’s nothing like flipping the meat while holding a good conversation with the kids as well. It’s such a great addition and a summer staple recipe!
And once you realize how easy grilling chicken is, you’re never going to want to cook up your chicken any other way. While I like to change up the flavors of how I marinate chicken, I can tell you that this recipe is always a homerun hit. All you have to do is pair it with your favorite sides
This barbecued chicken is one of our top picks, and you’re about to see why. It’s juicy, perfectly flavored, and is certain to have everyone filling up their plates with more. If you love juicy chicken, you’re going to love this simple barbecue chicken dish. It cooks the perfect amount to feed everyone in the family.
You can even make this a super affordable family dinner meal by picking up your chicken drums when they’re on sale! Stores during the summer months always have crazy good deals on chicken making this best-grilled BBQ chicken legs recipe, ever.
Love to grill? Make certain to check out these Easy Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders as well!

How To Cook Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast
Gather up the list of simple ingredients below to get started! You’re not going to believe how simple this flavorful BBQ chicken recipe is. It’s a great way to create good BBQ chicken with ease.

Ingredients:
- 3-4 pounds chicken, cut up, thigh, legs and/or breasts, skin on
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce, homemade or store-bought plus additional for serving if desired
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat grill to medium-high heat
Step 2: Clean
Clean chicken and pat dry with a paper towel
Step 3: Add to the baking sheet
Lay in a single layer on a large baking sheet
Step 4: Add oil
Drizzle with olive oil
Step 5: Add seasonings
Sprinkle with salt and pepper
Step 6: Repeat
Turn chicken over and repeat on the other side
Step 7: Grill
Place chicken on grill skin side down for 10-15 minutes or until the skin is browned
Step 8: Baste
Turn chicken and baste with BBQ sauce
Step 9: Cook
Continue cooking for 15-20 minutes
Step 10: Baste again
Turn on baste with more sauce
Step 11: Cook
Cook 5 minutes longer or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F
Step 12: Let chicken rest
Remove from grill and place on a serving tray
Step 13: Serve
Rest for 5 minutes before serving
You’ll find that the best way to eat this chicken is to pair it up with your favorite BBQ sauce. This is literally the best BBQ chicken recipe ever. I highly recommend this simple recipe for a tasty dinner.

Variations
Use different chicken pieces – If you want to try this recipe with other cuts of chicken, like boneless chicken breasts, go for it!
Add different seasonings – I’m a huge fan of BBQ chicken, but you can add seasonings as well. Black pepper, onion powder, kosher salt, chili powder, garlic powder, or even a little brown sugar can make a huge flavor difference. (and you can make a great dry rub or spice rub, too!)
Change up the BBQ flavor – you can use your favorite barbecue sauce to make this BBQ chicken breast recipe. Use whatever BBQ chicken marinade you’d like!
FAQS For Making Barbecued Chicken on the Grill
How long do you cook barbecue chicken?
As you can tell from the directions above, the entire process from start to finish will take about 30 minutes. The big takeaway to remember though is that your internal temperature for your chicken needs to be at 165 degrees to signal that it’s safe and ready to eat.
I recommend that you have a digital thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat so that you can make certain that the skinless chicken breast is cooked all the way to avoid food poisoning.
Do you grill chicken with the lid open or closed?
When you’re grilling chicken on your charcoal or gas grill and it’s bone-in chicken, you’re going to want to have the lid down during the cooking process. This will help to circulate the heat evenly and be certain that it gets cooked thoroughly as well.
Side dish options for grilled chicken
You can never have too many sides when it comes to grilling season. Here are some other great side dishes that would go great with chicken on the grill!
- The Best Potato Salad
- Corn, Avocado & Cilantro Salad
- Instant Pot Corn On The Cob
- The EASIEST Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
- Cheesy Mushroom and Onion Green Bean Casserole
- Cornbread Casserole
- Potatoes Au Gratin
Enjoy this easy grilled BBQ chicken recipe and be sure to leave a comment with what side dish you’re going to serve with it!

Grilled BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds chicken, cut up, thigh, legs and/or breasts, skin on
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce, homemade or store-bought plus additional for serving if desired
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat
- Clean chicken and pat dry with a paper towel
- Lay in a single layer on large baking sheet
- Drizzle with olive oil
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Turn chicken over and repeat on other side
- Place chicken on grill skin side down for 10-15 minutes or until the skin is browned
- Turn chicken and baste with BBQ sauce
- Continue cooking 15-20 minutes
- Turn on baste with more sauce
- Cook 5 minutes longer or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F
- Remove from grill and place on a serving tray
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving
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