5 from 27 votes
BBQ Chicken (Grilled)
BBQ Chicken (Grilled) features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks seasoned with a dry rub of paprika, chili powder, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then grilled to juicy, tender perfection and finished with a coat of barbecue sauce. The process develops a flavorful crust and moist meat.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
6
servings (2 pieces of chicken)
Calories:
656 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 ½ to 4 pounds (about 12 to 14 pieces) chicken thighs or drumsticks; bone-in and skin-on
Dry Rub
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Place the chicken thighs on a large baking sheet and bring to room temperature. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the dry rub. In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the rub over the chicken and use your hands to make sure the chicken is well coated on all sides (and under the skin if you'd like).
- Prep the grill. Prepare one side of your grill for high, direct heat, leaving the burners on the other side off. If you are using charcoal or wood, make sure there is a cool side to the grill where there are few to no coals. Watch the video above to see how I do this!
- Grill the chicken. Lay the chicken on the indirect heat side of the grill, yet close to the heat. Cover, and cook the chicken for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping the chicken every 10 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer reaches 160°F to 165°F.
- Brush with BBQ sauce. Brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, covered. Flip the chicken, brush with more BBQ sauce, and cook another 3 to 4 minutes. Repeat this process until the chicken thighs and drumsticks reach 175°F.
- Serve. Remove the chicken to a serving plate. Serve with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make the barbecue sauce a day before to simplify grilling preparation and store it in the refrigerator until needed.
- If you don't have access to a grill, bake the chicken thighs and apply BBQ sauce toward the end of cooking for a similar effect.
Nutrition Information
Calories
656kcal
(33%)
Carbohydrates
21g
(7%)
Protein
50g
(100%)
Fat
40g
(62%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
9g
(53%)
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Trans Fat
0.3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
198mg
(66%)
Sodium
1070mg
(45%)
Potassium
636mg
(14%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
16g
(32%)
Vitamin A
741IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings (2 pieces of chicken)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 656
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 656kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 50g | 100% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 198mg | 66% |
| Sodium | 1070mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 636mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
| Vitamin A | 741IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.