This BBQ chicken breast recipe is so easy to make on the grill or in the oven, and it yields tender, juicy chicken breasts every time.
When it comes to summertime grilling, you can’t have too many grilled chicken recipes. This quick and easy BBQ chicken recipe is a summer staple that my family makes on repeat during grilling season.
In This Post
Classic BBQ chicken is one of those dinners nobody at the table will complain about (unless it’s dry and overcooked). But that is NOT this recipe.
It’s a basic recipe anyone can easily master, so that they too can claim their BBQ chicken is the best on the block. There’s no extra time needed for marinades or fancy rubs.
All you need are good quality chicken breasts, a hot grill, and your favorite BBQ sauce to slather.
Heidi’s Tips for Recipe Success
- This recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken breasts, which won’t have as much flavor as the bone-in/skin-on variety. That’s why basting in BBQ sauce at the end of the cooking time is where you’ll find a lot of flavor.
- Larger chicken breasts do not always translate to better chicken. Bigger breasts take longer to cook, and typically cook unevenly or overcook. Look for chicken breasts that are between 6-9 ounces per piece.
- To make the juiciest bbq chicken, cook with the grill lid closed to create an oven effect. The heat will circulates the protein and cook slower from all sides.
What’s in This Recipe?
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
- Chicken— Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are thin on the ends and fat in the middle, trim the thin ends off so they don’t crisp and burn.
- Olive oil— Always oil the protein, never the grill grates which will make the oil smoke and eventually burn.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper— For simply seasoning the chicken.
- BBQ sauce— Use a homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite store-bought sauce. You can catch me slathering chicken breasts with Sweet Baby Rays or Stubbs if I’m not using a local Utah brand.
★★★★★
Your BBQ chicken recipe was beyond delicious! I couldn’t believe such an easy recipe would turn out so good!
~Gigi, FoodieCrush reader
How to Grill BBQ Chicken
- Prep your grill. Prepare clean grill grates to minimize sticking and preheat the grill at 400-450°F.
- Season the chicken. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive or canola oil and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Grill. Arrange the breasts on the hot grill grates and cook for 4-6 minutes with the lid closed. If the chicken sticks to the grill grate, let it cook a minute more before trying to flip again. Cook on the second side for another 4-5 minutes.
Heidi’s Tip: Need to speed up the cook time? Slice your boneless breasts in half lengthwise to make two thin cutlets. They’ll grill in half the time.
- Baste and flip. Baste the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce, flip, and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Repeat on the other side side. The chicken is done when the internal temp is 160°F and the juices run clear.
- Give it a rest. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes for the temperature to rise to 165°F and the juices to settle before serving.
FAQs
BBQ grilled chicken breasts should cook for about 5-6 minutes on one side, be flipped over, and then cooked for 4-5 minutes more on the other side.
I strongly advise using an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness—160°F (the temp will rise to 165°F as the chicken rests).
Cooking the chicken just shy of temp (165°F) and letting it rest for five minutes before slicing will ensure the chicken is juicy and tender.
Add your sauce at the very end! Sauces like BBQ sauce contain a fair amount of sugar that can easily burn. Adding the sauce at the end and searing quickly minimizes the chance of it burning.
You can use this same cooking method for skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts or legs and chicken thighs. The technique is the same, but the cooking times will vary.
Storage Tips
This BBQ chicken will keep stored in a Tupperware container in the refrigerator for about 4 days. You can throw any leftover chicken into a southwest chicken salad or bbq chicken chopped salad, or use to make sandwiches and wraps.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken
- BBQ Side Dishes — Old-Fashioned Potato Salad, Dill Cucumber Salad, Macaroni Salad, Creamy Coleslaw
- Grilled Vegetables —Grilled Mixed Vegetables, Grilled Corn On the Cob, Grilled Asparagus
- Comfort Food Faves — Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes, BBQ Baked Beans, Garlic Fries
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a 
star rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
The Best BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt , to taste
- freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite)
Instructions
To Cook on the Grill (Recommended)
- Prepare the grill for direct cooking at high heat (450°F). Brush the cooking grates clean.
- Drizzle the chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil and rub over the breasts. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes or until they easily release from the grates. Flip the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes longer. Baste the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce, flip, and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Repeat on the other side. Cook until the breasts are firm to the touch and opaque all the way through, registering 160°F internal temp (the temp will rise to 165°F as the chicken rests).
- Transfer to a plate and cover with a piece of aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with more BBQ sauce if desired.
To Cook in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and drizzle each chicken breast with oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Brush the top side of the chicken with BBQ sauce, return to the oven and cook for 5-8 minutes longer, or until the sauce bubbles and begins to char and the internal temperature is 160°F and the juices run clear.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes for the internal temp to raise to 165°F and the juices to settle before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Juicy Grilled Chicken Breasts
- Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Grilled Lemon Chicken Skewers
- Grilled Balsamic Chicken
- Chipotle Peach BBQ Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs
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Karen
I loved it my go to recipe from now own juicy juicy juicy
Hahahah so glad to hear that Karen. JUICY! Thanks for the comment and 5 stars!
Gigi
Your BBQ chicken recipe was beyond delicious! I couldn’t believe such an easy recipe would turn out so good!
Awesome to hear Gigi! Thanks for the comment!
SeafoamJade
Do you have a recipe for bbq sauce posted anywhere? Either that, or can you recommend a store bought bbq sauce that would be good with this recipe? TIA!
Hi, I usually use Sweet Baby Ray’s or Stubbs if I’m not using a local brand.
Caryn
You don’t flip the chicken if cooking in the oven? How does the other side get any seasoning or BBQ sauce??
You don’t need to flip, but you can if you’d like. Just brush the chicken with the sauce when pulled from the oven.
Loretta S Graham
Truley the best bbq chicken!! Family loved it, should have made more!
Glad it was a success Loretta!
Maia
This was pretty good. Made it today and it was surprisingly juicy. Next time will save some sauce to dip in!
Sandie
I have tried doing chicken on the bbq many times but it has never come out like this. So tasty and juicy and perfectly cooked. I’ll never BBQ chicken any other way!
Thanks for the comment and rating Sandie. So glad you enjoyed the BBQ chicken so much!
Izzy
Best bbq chicken I have ever made!! Made this for my family for dinner on the barbecue and it tasted absolutely amazing ! So juicy and flavourful!
Ember
I made this for a quick dinner and my roommates and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be making this again.
I’m glad you all enjoyed!
Makiyah miller
You have to be careful with white chicken it can dry out easier especially chicken breast
Hazel True
I fixed this tonight for dinner my family loved it, I baked in over and it was perfect, will make this again. Thanks
Heidi
Happy to hear you and your family liked it Hazel!
Ellen
What kind of pan do you use for the oven bbq?
mary
do you have a BBQ sauce recipe?
I will be posting one soon Mary!
Andrey Pawluk
Turned out perfectly cooked and delicious! Thanks.
Mizbah
Good informative blog. I definitely try on.
AndyWH
Interesting that you recommend extra virgin olive oil. Isn’t its smoke point around 400F and you’re cooking at 450F? Is there some nice taste from the smokey olive oil ?
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
It does great with this dish.
Rachelle
Great!! Turned out perfect!! Followed to a T & just juicy tasty chicken!! THANKS!!
I’m glad you enjoyed Rachelle!