This grilled BBQ chicken is my new summer bestie! It’s tender, packed with BBQ flavor in both the rub and sauce, and ridiculously simple to make. I like to prep a big batch of the rub to use again and again– it never disappoints! I can’t believe I was able to grill up a whole chicken for a crowd in just 30 minutes!
Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe
It’s not often that I cook up a whole chicken, but when I do, you know it’s going to be good. I seasoned this chicken with a bouquet of tangy and savory seasonings, then basted it in BBQ sauce as it cooked. It turned out so juicy and delicious. Everyone got their favorite piece! It doesn’t get much better than this grilled BBQ chicken.
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How to Store and Reheat
Once the BBQ chicken cools to room temperature, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. I recommend reheating your leftovers in the air fryer or oven to maintain the original grilled consistency.
How to Freeze
Freeze chicken pieces in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Notes and Tips
- Check out this video to see how to cut up a whole chicken!
- As with all grilling, the grill should be preheated before you cook the chicken. Set the heat to medium, around 425-450°F, and cook the chicken for around 15-20 minutes, or until its internal temperature reads 165°F.
- In this easy recipe, I like to give the chicken a good dry rub of spices and let it grill for a few minutes before basting it with BBQ sauce about halfway through the cooking time.
- To make this recipe on the stovetop, I recommend setting a grill pan over medium heat.
Top Reader Review
“Love, love, love this recipe! SO delicious!” -Jennifer
Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds whole chicken cut in pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill over medium heat (425-450°F).
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, allspice, and salt. Season all sides of the chicken pieces with the spice rub.3-4 pounds whole chicken, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 3 teaspoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Grill 8 minutes, flip, and cook 6-8 minutes more until lightly charred but not yet cooked through.
- Using a basting brush, coat each piece of chicken in barbecue sauce. Continue grilling, turning and basting with barbecue sauce often, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 more minutes.½ cup barbecue sauce
- When cooked through, the thickest part of the thigh will register 165°F.
Notes
How to Make Grilled BBQ Chicken Step by Step
Season the Chicken: Preheat your grill over medium heat (425-450°F). In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, 3 teaspoons of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of ground allspice, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Season all sides of a parted 3-4 pound whole chicken with the spice rub.
Grill the Chicken: Grill the chicken pieces for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for 6-8 minutes more, until lightly charred but not yet cooked through. Using a basting brush, coat the chicken pieces with ½ cup of barbecue sauce. Continue grilling, turning, and basting with barbecue sauce often, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 more minutes. When cooked through, the thickest part of the thigh will register 165°F.
This is everything a gourmet recipe should be, and then some! This looks amazing; can’t wait to give this a try!
Thanks Beth that is so sweet.
Best Chicken ever!
YAY!
Love, love, love this recipe! SO delicious!
I’m so glad! It’s a staple at our house.
I need to fire up the grill! This chicken looks so juicy!
It’s SO delish!
This chicken looks perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you love it!
Love how tender and flavorful this is!
Me too!
Doesn’t Barbecue burn so how do you flip with sauce?
Delicious!!!
I’m SO happy to hear you loved it!
This looks fabulous and I will definitely be trying it out. However, your video showed the chicken being cooked on a stove-top grill/griddle. At what temperature did you set the burner(s)? Thank you.
Medium heat!
My husband is leary of any spicy food so when hesaw the rub go o n he insisted I leave one piece without. It was totally unnecessary because he LOVED it! So did I. Unlike other rubs, this one is not bitter. It has a little heat but it’s offset delightfully by the allspice. We will definitely do this again.
Thanks for sharing, Mary Kay!