BBQ Chicken Recipe
This BBQ Chicken Recipe is a foolproof way to get juicy, flavorful chicken coated in smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. Whether grilled, baked, or broiled, it comes out tender inside and caramelized on the outside — perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional for extra flavor
- 1 cup barbecue sauce your favorite brand or homemade
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional, adds depth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or grill: If baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). If grilling, set up two-zone heat.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook the chicken:
- Oven: Place chicken on a lined baking sheet, skin side up. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Grill: Place chicken skin side down over indirect heat. Grill for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Add sauce: Mix barbecue sauce with Worcestershire. Brush generously on chicken.
- Finish cooking: Continue baking or grilling for 8–10 more minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and sauce caramelizes.
- Rest & serve: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Add extra sauce if desired.
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, but either works.
- Add BBQ sauce only near the end of cooking to avoid burning.
- For extra smoky flavor, add wood chips to the grill.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheated in the oven.