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The Best Easy Juicy BBQ Chicken

This easy BBQ chicken delivers juicy, tender meat with a smoky BBQ sauce glaze. Grill chicken using indirect heat, then caramelize the sauce over direct heat for classic backyard BBQ flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 1180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

chicken pieces
  • 4 lb chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts)
oil and seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.25 salt and pepper to taste Season to taste
bbq sauce
  • 2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Season the chicken
  1. Pat the chicken dry, then rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Make the BBQ glaze
  1. Mix BBQ sauce with apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika until combined.
Grill
  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, 350-400°F.
  2. Grill the chicken over indirect heat for 30-35 minutes, turning every 10 minutes.
  3. During the last 10 minutes, brush the chicken generously with BBQ sauce and move it to direct heat.
  4. Continue grilling and basting until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce is caramelized, watching for deep glaze color.
Rest and serve
  1. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the sauce for basting separate from raw chicken contact, and reserve a small portion to brush at the end if you want a thicker caramelized finish. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days; freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months (best reheated gently). For a lighter option, use a reduced-sugar BBQ sauce to keep the caramelization while lowering added sugar.