Discover the magic of summer barbecues with this delectable BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe! It’s a symphony of smoky flavors and juicy texture, creating a culinary delight that’s perfect for any gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unforgettable Flavor: The perfect blend of spices in our sauce takes this BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe to heavenly heights.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and cooking time, it’s a go-to dish for busy weeknights or spontaneous grilling sessions.
- Versatile Pairing: Fits beautifully with a variety of sides, offering a plate full of color and taste.
- Healthy Choice: Lean chicken breasts provide a high-protein, low-fat option that satisfies without the guilt.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, each plays a starring role in the making of an epic grilling experience. Let’s talk about how each contributes to this dish’s masterpiece status.
- Chicken breasts: These offer a lean, protein-rich base perfect for soaking up our delightful BBQ flavors.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Provides a silky moisture layer, ensuring juicy results while adding a hint of fruity richness.
- Ketchup: Adds a sweet and tangy base to our homemade BBQ sauce.
- Coconut aminos: A flavorful umami boost with a lower sodium content than traditional soy sauce.
- Spices and seasonings: Each spice like chili powder, ground mustard, and garlic powder elevates the flavor profile substantially.
Variations
One of the joys of cooking is making a recipe your own. This BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe is no exception. Here are a few suggestions for tweaking the ingredients and flavors to fit your unique palate or dietary needs.
- Sweet Heat BBQ: Add a tablespoon of honey or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a balance of sweet and spicy.
- Lemon Herb: Trade the BBQ sauce for a zesty lemon garlic marinade to create a refreshing twist.
How to Make BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Grill
Start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat. Ensuring the grill grates are clean and well-oiled will prevent sticking and give your chicken those beautiful, sought-after grill marks.
Step 2: Make the BBQ Sauce
Combine ketchup, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Stir them until harmonious. This robust sauce will be your secret weapon.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken
Rub each chicken breast with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. This step locks in flavor and ensures your chicken remains moist and succulent.
Step 4: Grill and Sauce – The Tasty Transformation
Lay the chicken on the grill for three to five minutes, then flip. Brush with BBQ sauce, reduce the heat, and continue grilling, flipping and brushing again, until the chicken’s internal temperature hits 165°F. Patience pays here—let it caramelize to perfection!
Pro Tips for Making BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
- Grate Prep: Always clean and oil your grates to prevent sticking and achieve gorgeous grill marks.
- Sauce Brushing: Use multiple brushes or spoons while saucing to maintain hygiene and rich flavor distribution.
- Monitoring Heat Levels: A lower heat during the final stages of grilling prevents burning and promotes sauce caramelization.
- Resting Time: Allow a 5-minute rest period post-grilling for juices to redistribute evenly, maximizing flavor and tenderness.
How to Serve BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Consider topping your chicken with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for a bright, herbaceous counterpoint to the barbecue’s smoky sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair this BBQ Grilled Chicken with classics like coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a crisp garden salad. Each adds a complementary texture and quick, refreshing finish.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by serving your chicken atop a wooden platter surrounded by bowls of vibrant sides, creating a rustic yet inviting communal dining vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your chicken fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, maintaining quality and flavor.
Freezing
Freeze cooked chicken by wrapping each piece in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe bag for three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Reheat this BBQ delight gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the oven at 350°F, adding a splash of water or broth to retain moistness.
FAQs
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Can I use bone-in chicken for this BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe?
Yes, you can. Adjust the cooking time as bone-in chicken takes longer to grill, ensuring the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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What’s a good substitute for coconut aminos?
If you don’t have coconut aminos on hand, low-sodium soy sauce or tamari are great alternatives while maintaining the umami flavor.
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How do I know when the chicken is thoroughly cooked?
Use a meat thermometer. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and juices run clear.
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Can I prepare the BBQ sauce in advance?
Absolutely! Make the sauce up to three days in advance, storing it in the refrigerator in a sealed container to deepen the flavors.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe is more than just a dish; it’s an experience waiting to happen. Easy enough for everyday meals and impressive enough for special occasions, it’s sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Fire up that grill and let the magic unfold!
Print
BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This flavorful BBQ grilled chicken recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a smoky, tangy homemade BBQ sauce. Perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight dinners, it combines simple ingredients with a straightforward grilling method to deliver irresistible results that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4-5 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the grill: Start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat. Make sure the grates are clean and properly greased to prevent sticking.
- Make the BBQ sauce: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until well mixed and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Brush each chicken breast with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. This step helps lock in moisture and enhances flavor.
- Grill the chicken – Phase 1: Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes until they easily lift off without sticking. Flip using tongs.
- Brush and reduce heat: After flipping, brush the top side of each chicken breast with one-third of the BBQ sauce. Reduce the grill heat to medium to allow caramelization without burning.
- Grill and brush – Phase 2: Grill for another 3 to 5 minutes, flip the chicken, and brush with another third of the BBQ sauce on the newly exposed side.
- Final flip and brush – Phase 3: Flip the chicken for the last time, brush with the remaining BBQ sauce, and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- Use a clean brush or spoon each time you apply BBQ sauce to avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked chicken.
- Slice chicken breasts horizontally if you want to reduce grilling time; thinner cutlets cook faster.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes post-grilling to allow juices to redistribute for maximum flavor.
- Experiment with the BBQ sauce by adding honey for sweetness or cayenne pepper for heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
