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–+ servings
Grilled BBQ whole chicken pieces.
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4.79 from 38 votes

Grilled BBQ Whole Chicken Recipe

This grilled BBQ chicken is my new summer bestie! Whole chicken pieces are coated in a delicious BBQ spice rub, lots of barbecue sauce, and grilled until tender and juicy.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 211kcal
Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds whole chicken cut in pieces*
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce **

BBQ Spice Rub:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice ***
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Break down a whole chicken into parts before beginning. (Or start with your preferred pieces.)
    3-4 pounds whole chicken
    Raw cut-up chicken pieces laid out on a cutting board.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat (425-450°F).
  • In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, allspice, and salt.
    1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 3 teaspoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    BBQ seasoning rub in a small glass bowl.
  • Season all sides of the chicken pieces with the spice rub. Use olive oil to help coat, if desired.
    Raw chicken pieces coated in BBQ seasoning rub.
  • Place seasoned chicken on the grill, skin-side down. Grill for 8 minutes.
    BBQ-seasoned chicken pieces on a grill.
  • Flip each piece and cook 6-8 more minutes; until lightly charred, but not yet cooked through.
    Flipping chicken pieces on a grill.
  • Using a basting brush, coat each piece of chicken in barbecue sauce.
    ½ cup barbecue sauce
    Basting chicken with BBQ sauce.
  • Continue grilling, turning, and basting with barbecue sauce every few minutes; until chicken is cooked through, about 10-15 more minutes.
    Brushing BBQ sauce onto chicken as it cooks on a grill.
  • When cooked through, the thickest part of all pieces should register at least 165°F (up to 175°F for dark meat pieces).
    BBQ chicken cooking on a grill.
  • Serve chicken with extra barbecue sauce and fresh herbs to garnish.
    Grilled BBQ chicken pieces on a plate.

Video

Notes

*This recipe was created, tested, and perfected using a whole chicken cut into pieces. I use a 3-4 pound chicken to feed a family of 4. Since we are grilling after parting the chicken, you are welcome to use any pieces you prefer. I especially love bone-in thighs, drumsticks, and leg quarters with this method.
**Use your favorite barbecue sauce--sweet, smoky, or spicy! I love Stubb's Original BBQ sauce.
***To make your own allspice, mix equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Becky's Top Tips:
  • For best results, fully preheat the grill before using, and coat with oil to prevent sticking.
  • Bring chicken pieces to room temperature before grilling for more even cooking.
  • If you can, create direct and indirect heat zones on your grill. This will help you monitor and perfect the temp on each piece of chicken.
  • I like to give the chicken a good char before I start basting with BBQ sauce. This helps hold the sauce so it doesn't run while grilling.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and lets the chicken come to temp. Tent with foil while resting for best results!
  • If using a stovetop grill pan, set it to medium-high heat.
  • If you like, brine or marinate the chicken ahead of cooking.
Internal Temperature: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of each piece. Insert thermometer into the thickest part. With bone-in pieces, do not touch the bone when reading the temp. White meat is best cooked to 165°F, while dark meat is best cooked to 170-180°F.
Storage: Store grilled BBQ chicken pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg