Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts

May 14, 2025

10 Min Read

This is arguably one of the most exceptional breast recipes, crafted with an incredibly rich and tangy homemade BBQ sauce that elevates the dish to new heights. It’s perfectly juicy every time! No grill? I’m excited to share versatile cooking methods for this dish, including grilling outdoors, cooking on a stovetop, and roasting in the oven.
Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe Ingredients Needed Easy To create a mouthwatering grilled BBQ chicken breast, you will need: Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 cup barbecue sauce 1/4 cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. 3. Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and brush the marinade on both sides of the chicken, ensuring they are fully coated. 4. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to several hours in the refrigerator. 5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. 6. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. 7. During the last minute of grilling, brush both sides of the chicken with barbecue sauce. 8. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.Savory Delights: Mastering the Art of BBQ Chicken with Brittany’s Expert Advice To achieve mouthwatering, finger-lickin’ good BBQ chicken that will impress your friends and family, follow these essential steps from a certified pitmaster.How to Store Leftovers Frequently Asked Questions Most Popular Chicken Recipes

Here’s a reliable formula for grilling mouthwatering BBQ chicken that every home cook should master: This timeless dish is a masterclass in simplicity, versatility, and universal appeal – particularly during the sweltering summer months when its refreshing qualities shine.

With our signature homemade BBQ sauce, we’re infusing this dish with a rich, complex flavor profile that harmoniously balances sweetness, tanginess, and unbridled deliciousness. Trust us: once you experience homemade goodness, there’s no going back to processed alternatives.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When sizzling summer days fuel your desire for hearty, tangy dishes – this mouthwatering recipe is the perfect match.

All you require is chicken, salt, pepper, and your preferred BBQ sauce to enjoy a delectable meal.
This recipe assembles quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual outdoor gatherings. Prepare these grilled sweet potatoes simultaneously to assemble a complete meal in under 30 minutes.
The leftover barbecue chicken is ideal for incorporating into a variety of dishes mid-week, such as adding it to your favorite salads, wrapping it in a tortilla with greens and toppings, crafting grain bowls or simply placing it between slices of bread. Having a prep-worked protein source at the ready proves to be an invaluable timesaver for those occasions when a speedy, fulfilling meal is crucial.

Ingredients Needed

For a leaner alternative, I suggest opting for organic, boneless, and skinless chicken breasts; however, if you prefer a more robust flavor, bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts are a great option too.
Before grilling, it’s essential to season the meat thoroughly and then apply your desired sauce.
– you can’t skip this! While my easy homemade BBQ sauce is a real crowd-pleaser, I also appreciate the convenience of store-bought options when in a pinch. See my notes below.

Easy

Want to switch things up? There are a few simple substitutions.

Boneless thighs are a fantastic choice for cooking, as they remain incredibly moist and tender. Consider reducing the cooking time by 2-3 minutes to ensure optimal doneness for these slimmer cuts of meat.
If you’re short on time, opt for a convenient and refreshing bottled beverage. I highly recommend Primal Kitchen’s BBQ sauce for its unique features: no sugar is added to the recipe, making it an excellent choice for those watching their sugar intake or following a low-carb diet; and, they use only the finest ingredients to craft a deliciously rich and tangy flavor profile that will elevate any grilled or roasted meal.
You can also achieve crispy results by searing the chicken on a grill pan or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, then finishing it in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Ignite your taste buds by infusing your BBQ sauce with a spicy kick: simply stir in chipotle powder or cayenne pepper for an added depth of flavor.

To create a mouthwatering grilled BBQ chicken breast, you will need:

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and brush the marinade on both sides of the chicken, ensuring they are fully coated.
4. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to several hours in the refrigerator.
5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off.
6. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
7. During the last minute of grilling, brush both sides of the chicken with barbecue sauce.
8. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

This delectable grilled BBQ chicken recipe boasts a simplicity that makes it an ideal choice for effortless summer evening meals. Here’s how to make it:

Season the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.

Heat grill to medium-high. As soon as the grill reaches a high heat, position the chicken on the topmost rack. Allow the chicken to cook on the grill for approximately 5-6 minutes, or until the undersurface develops attractive grill markings and readily releases itself from the grates. Utilize tongs to deftly flip the chicken breasts, then continue grilling them for an additional 5-6 minutes.

Generously coat the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce on one side, then carefully flip them over to ensure even coverage, repeating the process to add a rich, sweet glaze to both sides of the poultry.

Let the chicken continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes or until it reaches a safe internal temperature to ensure thorough doneness. When checking for doneness, chicken should feel firm to the touch, be completely opaque throughout, and an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of meat should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Savory Delights: Mastering the Art of BBQ Chicken with Brittany’s Expert Advice

To achieve mouthwatering, finger-lickin’ good BBQ chicken that will impress your friends and family, follow these essential steps from a certified pitmaster.

For mouthwatering, flawlessly cooked chicken, target an internal temperature of 165°F at its thickest point. No guesswork needed!
I prefer to grill on the uppermost rack whenever feasible. Without compromising on that signature smokiness, you can ensure the meat remains tender and juicy.
Don’t reuse BBQ sauce that has come into contact with raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety. Use a newly sanitized brush or spoon every time you serve additional sauce to ensure optimal presentation and food safety.

This delectable grilled BBQ chicken dish boasts impressive versatility, effortlessly complementing a wide range of accompaniments to create a truly satisfying meal. Whether hosting an impromptu barbecue or whipping up a speedy evening meal, consider these mouthwatering options to elevate your culinary experience:

How to Store Leftovers

With its impressive adaptability and suitability for meal planning, this BBQ chicken truly shines. Once cooked through, allow the chicken to reach room temperature before refrigerating or freezing it; store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 4 months. Reheat leftovers with ease by cooking them in the oven, on the stovetop, or using your microwave when time is of the essence.

While I haven’t experimented with freezing leftovers personally, I’m confident it’s a viable solution for extended storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

My trusty meat thermometer is an indispensable companion in the kitchen, ensuring that every piece of cooked meat is nothing short of perfect. Using a thermometer ensures perfectly cooked meat without the risk of overcooking – no guessing required. When checking for doneness, ensure the meat thermometer registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit once inserted into the thickest portion of the chicken breast.

Grilling chicken on the top rack ensures juicy results and intense flavour without overcooking, allowing for a perfect balance between texture and taste. You can also lightly pound the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness for consistent cooking results.

Yes! When cooking chicken, you can utilise a grill pan on your stovetop or opt for baking in the oven, followed by a brief broiling period to perfectly caramelise the sauce. Cooking instructions for chicken are outlined below: