Best Barbecue Grilled Chicken Recipes

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH ALABAMA WHITE BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a pot large enough to hold the chicken, combine the sugar, 1/4 cup salt and 2 cups cold water. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Pour in the beer and add the garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns. Submerge the chicken in the brine. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• For the Alabama white barbecue sauce: Meanwhile, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, horseradish, sugar and Worcestershire in a medium bowl until smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, hot sauce to taste and a liberal grinding of black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to cook the chicken. (Can be made a day ahead, along with the chicken brine.)
• Prepare a grill for medium indirect grilling. Drain and rinse the chicken and pat very dry. Season the chicken lightly with salt and more liberally with black pepper. Brush lightly with vegetable oil.
• Brush the grill grates with vegetable oil and lay the chicken, bone-side down, on the indirect heat side of the grill. Cover and cook until the skin is golden and the chicken is about three-quarters cooked (130 to 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer), 20 to 25 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces so they are skin-side down and continue indirect grilling until the chicken is cooked through and reads 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 15 minutes more.
• Brush the chicken all over with some of the Alabama white barbecue sauce and move the chicken, skin-side down, to the direct heat side of the grill. Grill just until the skin crisps, about 3 minutes, moving as necessary to keep it from burning. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Serve the remaining Alabama white sauce on the side for dipping.

GRILLED BARBECUE BACON-CHEDDAR STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Prepare the chicken: With your knife parallel to the cutting board, slice each chicken breast in half horizontally without cutting all the way through; open like a book. Cover with plastic wrap and pound until 1/2 inch thick.
• Make the filling: Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp; crumble. Mix 2 tablespoons bacon drippings with the melted butter in a bowl. Combine the buttermilk biscuit, bacon, half of the drippings mixture, the cheese, chives and parsley in a separate bowl. Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper.
• Season the pounded chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and brush with the remaining drippings mixture. Spoon the filling over the top, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Roll up the chicken toward the pointy end; tie with 3 pieces of kitchen twine.
• Brush the grill grates with vegetable oil. Grill the chicken breasts, turning, until cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes, brushing with the barbecue sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, then remove the twine and slice.

MAPLE BARBECUE GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium. Cook garlic, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until slightly darkened, about 3 minutes. Add maple syrup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and Sriracha. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until flavors have come together, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Transfer about half of barbecue sauce to a heatproof bowl and set aside for serving.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off); oil grate. Season chicken generously with salt. Grill chicken over direct heat, turning every minute, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Move chicken over indirect heat. Cover, positioning vent (if your grill has one) over chicken, and continue to grill, keeping grill covered as much as possible and turning every 5 minutes or so, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 140°F-145°F, 18-25 minutes depending on the size of the pieces. Baste chicken with barbecue sauce and grill, turning and basting occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 160°F for breast and 165°F for dark meat, about 10 minutes longer.
• Arrange chicken on a platter. Serve with reserved barbecue sauce alongside.
• Do Ahead: Barbecue sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH MUSTARD BARBECUE SAUCE AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for 2-zone heat (for a charcoal grill, bank two-thirds of coals over one side of grill and scatter remaining coals over the other side; for a gas grill, set one burner to medium-high heat and the remaining burners to medium-low heat). Clean and lightly oil grate.
• Mix vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and 1/2 cup mustard in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Season chicken on all sides with 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. salt. Grill chicken skin side down over direct heat, turning halfway through or whenever there is a flare, until lightly charred, 5-8 minutes. Move chicken to cooler part of grill, cover with lid, and continue to grill, turning several times and keeping covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 140°F, 15-20 minutes. The smaller pieces will go more quickly ,and you can transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet until all pieces are ready.
• Uncover grill and return any pieces from baking sheet back to grill. Using a brush, generously baste chicken with reserved sauce. Continue to grill, turning every 1-2 minutes and basting the other side, until the internal temperature of thickest part of breast registers 155°F and sauce is shiny and lacquered, about 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board as pieces are done (again, the smaller pieces will go more quickly). Let rest 10 minutes before separating drumsticks from thighs and slicing chicken breast in half on a bias.
• While chicken rests, gently toss onions, 2 Tbsp. oil, and 1 tsp. salt in a medium bowl, being careful not to break up onion rounds into rings. Grill over medium-low heat, turning once, until charred on both sides and tender, 10-15 minutes.
• Whisk 2 Tbsp. bean pickling liquid and remaining 2 Tbsp. mustard in a large bowl. Drain beans and add to bowl. Add tomatoes and grilled onions. Toss to combine; season with salt.
• Arrange chicken on a large platter and serve with salad alongside.
• Do Ahead: Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

GRILLED WHOLE CHICKEN WITH BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Set up grill for indirect grilling. Rinse chicken inside and out and dry thoroughly. Generously season inside and out with coarse salt and ground pepper. Clean and lightly oil hot grates.
• Place chicken, breast side up, on opposite side of grill from heat. Cover and grill until cooked through, or a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone) registers 160 degrees, about 1 1/2 hours, rotating halfway through cooking (if using a charcoal grill, add a couple of handfuls of charcoal every half hour to maintain heat).
• About 15 minutes before chicken is done, brush with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce. Let chicken rest 20 minutes before carving.

SPICY GRILLED BARBECUE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the first 10 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. , Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 40 minutes, turning several times. Set half of the barbecue sauce aside. Baste chicken with remaining sauce; grill 5-10 minutes longer or until juices run clear. Serve with reserved sauce.

GRILLED SMOKY CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ALABAMA WHITE BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick. Brush all sides of chicken with oil. In small bowl, mix grill seasoning, brown sugar and chili pepper powder; sprinkle on both sides of chicken.
• Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 5 to 6 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, beat remaining ingredients with wire whisk until blended. Drizzle mayonnaise mixture on 4 serving plates. Top with chicken.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST WITH BARBECUE GLAZE

Steps:

• Combine sauce, honey, mayonnaise, garlic and ginger.
• Add chicken fillets to bowl and until well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
• Put chicken on oiled grill plate and bbq for approximately 5 minutes each side (longer if using large breasts), brushing occasionally with the marinade.

GRILLED CHICKEN DRUMMETTES WITH ANCHO-CHERRY BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except chicken in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer until chilies and cherries are tender, about 20 minutes. Working in batches, purée mixture in blender. Return sauce to pan. If necessary, simmer uncovered until sauce is reduced to 3 cups and thickens. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Grill until just cooked through, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Brush sauce over; continue grilling until glazed, turning chicken and basting often with more sauce, about 5 minutes longer. Serve with remaining sauce.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH ROOT BEER BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Reserve 4 teaspoons spice mixture for mop mixture. Rub remaining spice mixture all over chicken halves. Refrigerate chicken 1 hour.
• Mix 1 cup water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and reserved 4 teaspoons spice mixture in medium bowl to blend for mop mixture.
• Place 1 handful of torn newspaper in bottom of charcoal chimney. Top newspaper with 30 charcoal briquettes. Remove top rack from barbecue; place chimney on bottom rack. Light newspaper and let charcoal burn until ash on briquettes is gray, about 30 minutes. Open 1 bottom barbecue vent. Turn out hot charcoal onto 1 side of bottom rack. Using metal spatula, spread charcoal to cover approximately 1/3 of rack. Scatter 1 cup drained wood chips over coals (using too many wet chips may douse the fire). Fill foil loaf pan halfway with water and place on bottom rack opposite coals.
• Return top rack to barbecue. Arrange chicken halves, skin side up, on top rack above loaf pan (not above charcoal). Cover barbecue with lid, positioning top vent directly over chickens. Place stem of candy thermometer through top vent, with gauge on outside of lid and tip near chickens (thermometer should not touch chickens or rack); leave thermometer in place during cooking. Use top and bottom barbecue vents to maintain temperature between 275°F and 325°F, opening vents wider to increase heat and closing to decrease heat. Keep any other vents closed. Check temperature every 10 minutes.
• Grill chickens until almost cooked through, brushing with mop mixture every 15 minutes, about 1 hour 25 minutes. After 15 minutes, use technique described above to light an additional 15 charcoal briquettes in chimney set atop nonflammable surface.
• If temperature of barbecue falls below 275°F, use oven mitts to lift off top rack with chickens; place rack with chickens on nonflammable surface. Using tongs, add hot gray charcoal briquettes from chimney to bottom rack. Scatter remaining 1 cup drained wood chips over charcoal. Reposition top rack on barbecue, placing chickens above loaf pan. Cover with lid. Brush chickens with some Root Beer Barbecue Sauce and continue grilling until meat thermometer inserted into thighs registers 180°F, about 6 minutes longer. Using tongs, move chickens directly over fire. Grill until sauce sizzles and browns, about 2 minutes. Cut chicken into quarters. Serve, passing remaining Root Beer Barbecue Sauce separately.

GRILLED CHICKEN IN KENTUCKY BOURBON BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, combine all of the ingredients except for the chicken and ketchup and puree until smooth.
• Pour the marinade over the chicken, rub it in well, and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, turning the chicken over a couple of times while it's marinating.
• Grill the chicken over hot coals for about 10 minutes on each side; baste with marinade while grilling.
• Or broil chicken with marinade in a casserole dish at 350F for about 40 minutes, turning chicken and basting with pan juices a couple of times while it cooks.
• When the chicken is done remove it from the pan.
• Add ketchup to the remaining marinade and boil down until it is a thick dark sauce to coat the chicken with (about 5 minutes).

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST WITH WHITE ROSEMARY BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. To make the sauce, whisk the mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, and garlic together. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• 2. One at a time, place a chicken breast half between two sheets of plastic wrap. Lightly pound with a flat meat mallet or rolling pin until evenly thick (about 1/2 inch). Season the halves with the salt and pepper. Place in a self-sealing plastic bag and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
• 3. Prepare the grill. Let the fire burn until medium-hot (you can hold your hand just above the cooking grate for about 3 seconds).
• 4. Lightly oil the cooking grate. Place the chicken on the grill and cook until the undersides are opaque and seared with grill marks, about 4 minutes. Turn, brush with about half of the sauce, and grill until the other side is seared, about 4 minutes longer. Turn, brush with the remaining sauce, and grill, turning occasionally, until the chicken feels firm when pressed, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a carving board and let stand for 3 to 5 minutes. Cut into thick slices, transfer to a platter, and serve hot.

DOUBLE BARBECUE BACON-WRAPPED GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small bowl, stir together white barbecue sauce ingredients; cover and refrigerate until serving time.
• Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices bacon, stretching bacon to cover as much of the breast as possible; secure ends of bacon to chicken with toothpicks. Sprinkle both sides with barbecue seasoning.
• Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 5 minutes. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce. Cook 5 to 7 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Turn chicken; brush with remaining barbecue sauce. Serve chicken topped with white barbecue sauce.

GRILLED ASIAN GLAZED BARBECUE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken pieces; mix well. Place chicken in 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish or large resealable food storage plastic bag. Pour soy sauce mixture over chicken; turn to coat. Cover dish or seal bag. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours to marinate, turning chicken several times.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill. When grill is heated, remove chicken from marinade; reserve marinade. Place chicken on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium coals. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear, turning and brushing several times with reserved marinade. Discard any remaining marinade.

SWEET BARBECUE BROILED OR GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients in a saucepan; cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Prepare the grill or oven broiler.
• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
• Place on grill or a broiler pan coated with cooking spray.
• Cook 15 minutes on each side (or until cooked).
• Brush chicken with sauce, and cook an additional 15 minutes, or until chicken is done, turning and basting occasionally.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH WHITE BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare chicken:.
• Loosen skin from breast by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat.
• Combine salt and next 4 ingredients (salt through chipotle chili powder). Rub mixture under loosened skin.
• Grill chicken on each side over direct heat for 5 minutes or until browned.
• Move chicken to indirect heat and cover, cooking an additional 35 minutes or until done.
• Discard skin.
• To prepare sauce:.
• Combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients, using a whisk. Serve sauce with chicken. Sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance, flavors will intensify.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH FIGGY BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat grill or grill pan over high heat.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper on all sides and place on grill. Grill chicken until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes per side.
• Brush barbecue sauce on cooked chicken and grill for 1 minute more on each side. Serve remaining barbecue sauce on the side.

GRILLED BARBECUE CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small microwavable bowl, mix barbecue sauce and marmalade. Remove 1/4 cup of the sauce mixture to small dish; set aside.
• On each of 4 (11-inch) metal skewers, thread chicken pieces, leaving 1/4-inch space between each piece. On 4 additional skewers, thread onion and bell pepper chunks, leaving 1/4-inch space between each piece. Brush chicken and vegetables with oil; sprinkle with seasoned salt.
• Place kabobs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 10 to 15 minutes, turning kabobs 2 or 3 times and brushing chicken and vegetables with reserved 1/4 cup sauce mixture during last 5 to 8 minutes of grilling, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Microwave remaining barbecue sauce mixture uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated. Serve sauce with kabobs.

GRILLED MUSTARD BARBECUE CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Combine the brown sugar, paprika, cumin and garlic powder in a small bowl. Season the wings with salt and pepper and toss with the vegetable oil in a large bowl. Add the spice mixture and toss until evenly coated.
• Oil the grill grates; arrange the wings on the grill and cover. Cook, turning the wings occasionally, until well browned and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove to a large bowl and toss with the barbecue sauce. Serve with coleslaw, cornbread and/or watermelon.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SALSA BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine salsa, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, corn syrup, oregano, and oil. Simmer over low heat for 45 to 60 minutes.
• Remove sauce from heat, and add cilantro.
• Use sauce to baste chicken during the last 20 minutes of grilling, reserving about 1/2 cup of the sauce to baste the cooked pieces just before serving.