The Best BBQ Chicken

This BBQ chicken breast recipe is so easy to make on the grill or in the oven, and it yields tender, juicy chicken breasts every time.

When it comes to summertime grilling, you can’t have too many grilled chicken recipes. I have go-to’s like my best-grilled chicken breast, grilled cilantro lime chicken, and my grilled lemon chicken skewers. This BBQ chicken recipe is yet another summer staple to add to the mix. Whether cooked on the grill or baked in the oven, BBQ chicken is one of those dinners nobody at the table will complain about (unless it’s dry and overcooked). But that is NOT this recipe. It’s a basic anyone can easily master, so that they too can claim their BBQ chicken is the best on the block. There’s no extra time needed for marinades or fancy rubs. All you need is good quality chicken breasts, a hot grill or oven, and your favorite BBQ sauce to slather.

Why You’ll Love It

• This BBQ chicken recipe is simple and quick
• You only need 2 ingredients (not counting olive oil, salt, or pepper) to make this recipe!
• My BBQ chicken recipe is versatile—cook it on the grill or in the oven if you prefer

BBQ Chicken Ingredients List

• Chicken—boneless, skinless chicken breasts (more on that below)
• Olive oil—for seasoning our chicken breasts
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—also for simply seasoning the chicken
• BBQ sauce—use a homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Boneless Chicken Breast or Bone-in Chicken Breast?

Boneless skinless chicken breasts won’t have as much flavor as the bone-in/skin-on variety. That’s why basting in BBQ sauce at the end of the cooking time is where you’ll find a lot of flavor. When seasoned and cooked correctly, even my recipe for basic sauce-less grilled chicken breasts can taste flavorful and juicy every time.

Most chicken eaters prefer the white meat of chicken breasts. So for chicken that’s cooked quickly, I use basic, skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Of course, you can use this same cooking method for skin-on, bone-in BBQ chicken breasts or legs and chicken thighs. The technique is the same, the cooking times will vary.

FAQ and Recipe Tips

• How long should you BBQ chicken? Whether you cook this BBQ chicken on the grill or in the oven, you’ll want to cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on one side, flip it, and cook for 4-5 minutes more on the other side. I strongly advise using an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness—160°F (the temp will rise to 165°F as the chicken rests).
• How do you cook BBQ chicken without drying it out? Cooking the chicken just shy of temp (165°F) and letting it rest for five minutes before slicing will ensure the chicken is juicy and tender.
• Do you put BBQ on chicken before or after baking? Add your sauce at the very end! Sauces like BBQ sauce contain a fair amount of sugar that can easily burn. Adding the sauce at the end and searing quickly minimizes the chance of it burning.
• Bigger isn’t always better. Larger chicken breasts do not always translate to better chicken. Bigger breasts take longer to cook, and cook unevenly or overcook. Look for chicken breasts that are between 6-9 ounces per piece. If your chicken breasts are thin on the ends and fat in the middle, trim the thin ends off so they don’t crisp and burn.
• Want it extra fast? Slice your boneless breasts in half lengthwise to make two thin cutlets. They’ll cook in half the time.
• Grill with the lid closed. BBQ chicken is cooked with the grill lid closed to create an oven effect, so the heat circulates the protein and cooks slower from all sides.

How to Cook BBQ Chicken on the Grill

• Prep your grill. Prepare clean grill grates to minimize sticking and preheat the grill at 400-450°F.
• Season the chicken. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive or canola oil and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Grill. Arrange the breasts on the hot grill grates and cook for 4-6 minutes with the lid closed. If the chicken sticks to the grill grate, let it cook a minute more before trying to flip again. Cook on the second side for another 4-5 minutes.
• Baste and flip. Baste the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce, flip, and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Repeat on the other side side. The chicken is done when the internal temp is 160°F and the juices run clear.
• Give it a rest. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes for the temperature to rise to 165°F and the juices to settle before serving.

How to Cook BBQ Chicken in the Oven

• Season your chicken. Preheat the oven to 450°F and drizzle each chicken breast with oil and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Bake and brush. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Brush the top side of the chicken with BBQ sauce, return to the oven, and cook for 5-8 minutes longer, or until the sauce bubbles and begins to char the internal temperature is 160°F and the juices run clear. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Storage Tips

This BBQ chicken will keep stored in a Tupperware container in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

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If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a  star rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

4.80 from 335 votes

The Best BBQ Chicken Breasts

The best BBQ chicken breast recipe doesn't call for complicated marinades or rubs, it's all about this easy on-the-grill or in-the-oven cooking method sweetened with BBQ sauce for moist and juicy chicken breasts every time.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword bbq chicken, grilled chicken

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 190kcal

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt , to taste
• freshly ground black pepper , to taste
• ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce

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Instructions

• Prepare the grill for direct cooking at high heat (450°F). Brush the cooking grates clean.
• Drizzle the chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil and rub over the breasts. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes or until they easily release from the grates. Flip the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes longer. Baste the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce, flip, and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Repeat on the other side. Cook until the breasts are firm to the touch and opaque all the way through, registering 160°F internal temp (the temp will rise to 165°F as the chicken rests).
• Transfer to a plate and cover with a piece of aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with more BBQ sauce if desired.

Notes

To cook BBQ Chicken Breasts in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 450°F and drizzle each chicken breast with oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Brush the top side of the chicken with BBQ sauce, return to the oven and cook for 5-8 minutes longer, or until the sauce bubbles and begins to char and the internal temperature is 160°F and the juices run clear. Let the chicken rest a few minutes for the internal temp to raise to 165°F and the juices to settle before serving.

*I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. If you’re a fan of a cut whole bird or the darker meat chicken thighs, the same principles apply, just add more time cooking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 501mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

More Chicken Dinner Recipe Ideas

• Oven Roasted Chicken With Lemon Rosemary Garlic Butter
• Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Breasts Recipe
• Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
• Easy Chicken Piccata
• 30-Minute Caprese Chicken Recipe
• Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

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