The best BBQ chicken breast recipe doesn't call for complicated marinades or rubs, it's all about this easy on-the-grill or in-the-oven cooking method sweetened with BBQ sauce for moist and juicy chicken breasts every time.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword bbq chicken
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Calories 190kcal
Ingredients
4boneless skinless chicken breasts
extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½cupBBQ 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
*I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. If you’re a fan of a cut whole bird or the darker meat chicken thighs, the same principles apply, just add more time cooking time.