BBQ Chicken is a summertime staple! And with simple ingredients and minimal prep, this easy recipe for BBQ chicken breast is the absolute best. Juicy, tender, packed with flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Foolproof BBQ Chicken Breast
BBQ should be juicy, flavorful, and impossible to resist! And that is exactly what this easy recipe delivers!
Thanks to a bold sweet and savory dry rub, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, and super easy to follow instructions, this recipe guarantees perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful BBQ chicken every time! No dry or bland grilled chicken here!
Whether served alongside baked beans, coleslaw, and bacon ranch potato salad for the ultimate summer meal or served as part of an easy weeknight dinner, this will be your go-to recipe for BBQ Chicken!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Breasts: While this recipe is designed for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if desired.
- Dry Rub: Made with brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder, this homemade dry rub adds sweet, smokey undertones that enhance the flavor of the BBQ sauce.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use any store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce you like to baste the chicken as it grills.
How to Grill BBQ Chicken Breast
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Dry Rub. Instead of marinating the chicken, this recipe relies on a sweet and savory dry rub that takes minutes to prepare. Simply mix together brown sugar, salt, and seasonings in a small mixing bowl.
- Season Chicken. Evenly sprinkle the prepared dry rub over the chicken breasts, then use your hands to gently massage into the meat to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
- Grill Chicken. Grill the seasoned chicken for 5 minutes, flip and cook 4 minutes more. Brush with BBQ sauce, flip and cook 2 minutes. Repeat brushing and flipping, and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Rest Before Serving. After grilling the chicken, remove it from the grill, tent with foil, and let rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy chicken breast.
Kristen’s Key Tips for Juicy BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Pound for Even Cooking: Trim and pound chicken to ½-inch thickness for even grilling.
- Grill Undisturbed: Let chicken cook at least 4 minutes per side without flipping for the best caramelization.
- Add BBQ Sauce Last: Brush on BBQ sauce near the end to avoid burning and boost flavor.
- Use a Thermometer. Avoid cutting into the chicken to test doneness. Instead, use a digital thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F/74°C for safe, juicy results.
Leftover BBQ Chicken
I STRONGLY recommend intentionally grilling a couple extra chicken breasts to ensure you have leftovers on hand, as it will give you a jump start on delicious meals!
More Favorite Grilled Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the grill with oil.
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In a small mixing bowl combine 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
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Trim any fat or grizzle off 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, place them between two pieces of plastic wrap (or parchment paper) and gently pound until each chicken breast is ½-inch thick. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over each side of the chicken using your hands to really rub the blend into the chicken.
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Place the seasoned chicken on the preheated grill. Cover and cook for 5 minutes without disturbing. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
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Brush the top of the chicken with BBQ sauce, then flip and cook for 2 minutes. Brush the other side with BBQ sauce, flip again, and cook for 2 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 163-165°F (73-74°C).
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Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and tent with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes for the juices to redistribute. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side if desired.
Chicken: Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, keeping in mind you will likely need 1-2 minutes longer per side for the chicken thighs to reach 165°F/74°C.
Baked BBQ Chicken: Bake seasoned chicken at 425°F/215°C for 15 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce, then bake 6–10 more minutes until it reaches 165°F/74°C. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Lower Sugar: Skip the brown sugar in the dry rub and use a low-sugar barbecue sauce.
Adjust Heat: Use cayenne for spice or choose a milder BBQ sauce to keep this BBQ chicken recipe on the mild side.
Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 447mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 363IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted in 2021 and updated in 2025.
