If you're looking for an easy BBQ chicken recipe, then this is the one for you! It's incredibly easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious! My recipe captures that classic flavor of barbecue chicken and I'm sure your family is going to absolutely love it.
It's a true crowd-pleasing dish that combines the smoky flavors of the grill with the irresistible tang of barbecue sauce, resulting in tender, juicy chicken that is bursting with a delicious savory flavor!
With just a few simple ingredients, you can transform an ordinary piece of chicken into a dish that's packed with flavor with this bbq chicken recipe. It's absolutely perfect for any holiday or for a barbecue cookout with the family. The flavors are incredibly delicious and everyone seems to fall in love with it!
Whether you're hosting a backyard gathering or simply craving a flavorsome meal, this BBQ chicken recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you coming back for more.
Want to learn how to make this BBQ chicken recipe? Then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- What is BBQ Chicken?
- What Makes This BBQ Chicken Recipe Special?
- What You Need to Make BBQ Chicken at Home
- How to Make BBQ Chicken (Step-by-Step)
- Tips for Making the Best BBQ Chicken Ever
- Recipe Variation Ideas for BBQ Chicken
- How to Store Leftover BBQ Chicken
- Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- The Tastiest BBQ Chicken (Easy Recipe with Classic Flavors!)
- Comments
What is BBQ Chicken?
BBQ chicken, short for 'barbecue chicken,' is a popular dish made by grilling or barbecuing marinated chicken and basting it with barbecue sauce. It is a flavorful and juicy dish that is enjoyed in various cuisines and regions around the world.
It's a popular choice for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and barbecues due to its smoky and savory flavors. The chicken is typically seasoned with a variety of spices or marinades to enhance its taste.
It is then cooked on a grill or barbecue, allowing the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender and juicy. The barbecue sauce is applied during the cooking process, adding a tangy and sweet element to the chicken.
The result is a mouthwatering combination of smoky, charred, and saucy flavors that make BBQ chicken a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Grilled BBQ chicken can be served as a main course or used in sandwiches, wraps, salads, or other dishes. It also goes great with a number of delicious sides including coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, or roasted veggies.
What Makes This BBQ Chicken Recipe Special?
Easy: If you're looking for an easy BBQ chicken recipe, then this is the one for you! It's incredibly easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious!
Family-favorite: It tastes so incredibly delicious and has that classic flavor! This makes it the perfect meal for the family that everyone absolutely loves!
Delicious: The blend of salt, Mrs. Dash Seasoning, and Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning create a well-balanced and flavorful seasoning mix that enhances the natural taste of the chicken, making it incredibly savory and delicious.
What You Need to Make BBQ Chicken at Home
All you need are some simple, pantry staple ingredients to make this delicious BBQ chicken at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Chicken breasts: Chicken breasts are the star of this dish, with juicy meat that soaks up the flavors of the seasonings. They provide a filling protein base for the BBQ chicken, making it a hearty and delicious meal.
- Yellow bell pepper: The yellow bell pepper adds a bright pop of color to the BBQ chicken, making it more visually appealing. It also adds a delicately sweet and slightly acidic flavor that complements the dish's smoky and savory ingredients.
- Red bell pepper: We'll also need some red bell peppers. It'll add sweetness and a slightly earthy flavor to the mix making our bbq chicken taste even better.
- Red onion: You'll also need some red onions. When caramelized, they'll add texture and flavor by providing a delightful crunch and a hint of sweetness.
- Kosher salt: Salt will bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients, bringing out their spicy notes and making the taste more full. It'll also help to balance the other seasonings.
- Mrs. Dash Seasoning: We'll also be using some Mrs. Dash seasoning. It's an incredibly delicious blend with many different dried herbs and spices that'll add a savory and fragrant layer to the dish.
- Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning: You'll also need some Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning. It'll give the BBQ chicken a smoky and mildly sweet flavor to our delicious chicken meal.
- Black pepper: We'll also need black pepper. It'll enhance the overall flavor profile of the bbq chicken by adding a trace of mild heat and subtle spice.
- Sweet barbecue sauce: You'll also need some sweet barbecue sauce. It'll coat the chicken in a rich and sticky coating, giving a caramelized skin that bursts with a delicious flavor.
How to Make BBQ Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Making this delicious BBQ chicken is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
Start by placing all the seasoning onto a large plate, mix them together, then set it aside until ready to use.
Trim the fat from the chicken. Cut chicken into one-inch pieces, then rinse them and let them drain.
Wash the peppers. Cut them into square pieces. Peel the onion shell, then wash and cut the onion into square pieces. Place everything into a large bowl and sprinkle with prepared seasoning.
Add BBQ sauce and mix it well. Cover the bowl with a lid and let it soak in the seasoning in the fridge for at least 6 hrs.
Thread the chicken and vegetables onto metal skewers, leaving a small space in between each of them. If you are using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in the water for about 30 minutes before threading. It will prevent them from burning.
Preheat your BBQ to medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low and place the skewers onto the grill. Grill chicken for 15 minutes, then turn them over.
Brush the skewers with more BBQ sauce. Let it grill for an additional 15 min, then flip them over again and brush the other side with BBQ sauce.
Let it grill for 10 – 15 more minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
Remove the skewers from the BBQ and serve it immediately. Pair these skewers with corn on the cob, grilled potatoes, or potato salad for a complete BBQ meal!
Your delicious BBQ Chicken is ready to be served!
Tips for Making the Best BBQ Chicken Ever
Oil the grill grates: To prevent sticking, lightly brush the grill grates with oil before placing the chicken on them. This helps to ensure easy flipping and prevents the chicken from tearing or sticking to the grill.
Monitor the cooking time: Chicken breasts can vary in thickness, so keep a close eye on the cooking time to avoid overcooking or undercooking. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Let it rest: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This helps the juices redistribute within the meat, resulting in a moist and flavorful final dish.
Recipe Variation Ideas for BBQ Chicken
- Spicy: If you enjoy some heat, add a kick to your BBQ chicken by incorporating spicy elements. Consider adding chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of hot sauce to the marinade or BBQ sauce for an extra fiery flavor.
- Citrus-infused: For a refreshing twist, incorporate citrus flavors into the recipe. Add the zest and juice of a lemon, lime, or orange to the marinade, or squeeze some fresh citrus juice over the chicken before grilling. The citrusy tang will add brightness to the dish.
- Asian-inspired: Give your BBQ chicken an Asian flair by incorporating ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, and sesame oil into the marinade. You can also brush the chicken with a teriyaki or hoisin-based sauce during grilling for a delicious fusion of flavors.
How to Store Leftover BBQ Chicken
Place leftover BBQ chicken into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can place the chicken into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy again, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it on the stovetop or microwave.
Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
- Grilled Vegetables and Steak Kabobs Recipe
- Easy Grilled Hawaiian Shrimp Kabobs Recipe (with Pineapple)
- Perfectly Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe (Easy Marinade!)
See more meat recipes.
Recipe Card
The Tastiest BBQ Chicken (Easy Recipe with Classic Flavors!)
Ingredients
- 7 – chicken breasts
- 1 – yellow pepper
- 1 – red pepper
- 1 large – red onion
- 1 tbsp. – salt
- 1 tbsp. – Mrs. Dash Seasoning
- 1 tbsp. – Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning
- ½ tsp. – black ground pepper
- 1 ½ cup – Sweet BBQ Sauce + ½ cup for brushing
Instructions
How to Make BBQ Chicken
- Start by placing all the seasoning onto a large plate, mix them together, then set it aside until ready to use.
- Trim the fat from the chicken. Cut chicken into one-inch pieces, then rinse them and let them drain.
- Wash the peppers. Cut them into square pieces. Peel the onion shell, then wash and cut the onion into square pieces. Place everything into a large bowl and sprinkle with prepared seasoning.
- Add BBQ sauce and mix it well. Cover the bowl with a lid and let it soak in the seasoning in the fridge for at least 6 hrs.
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto metal skewers, leaving a small space in between each of them. If you are using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in the water for about 30 minutes before threading. It will prevent them from burning.
- Preheat your BBQ to medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and place the skewers onto the grill. Grill chicken for 15 minutes, then turn them over.
- Brush the skewers with more BBQ sauce. Let it grill for an additional 15 min, then flip them over again and brush the other side with BBQ sauce.
- Let it grill for 10 – 15 more minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
- Remove the skewers from the BBQ and serve it immediately. Pair these skewers with corn on the cob, grilled potatoes, or potato salad for a complete BBQ meal!
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This recipe was originally posted on June 29, 2015 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Tzivia says
Yo chicken and veggies yummm gr8 combo thanx for posting @ always darlin can this be made in advance and let everything marinate overnight mmmmm love bbq season wow
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Yes, they can be made in advance. Thank you 🙂
Ilona's Passion says
I love kabobs. They are perfect for any party!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
They are perfect for any occasion Ilona. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Natasha says
Oh yum!! I do the same recipe except I add mushrooms. Made my mouth water and my dinner lame. Lol..
valya'stasteofhome.com says
It was a hit at our dinner table last night, plus it was served with new potatoes from our garden. 🙂
Lena says
Valya,thanks for posting great recipe. New potatoes sounds so familiar to me. They always bring memories of visiting grandparents house in the country in the summer.Everyone eating from a big bowl placed on a small table outside...
This reminds me of those days when life was so simple and you were enjoying the small pleasures in life.
Blessings to you and your fam this summer. YOU HAVE A GREAT FAMILY YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF!!!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I know exactly what you mean. I remember those days too. Love those simple days 🙂 Thank you so much Lena! Same to you! Have a blessed summer! 🙂