Grilled BBQ Chicken
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
-
Total Time
30 mins
-
Servings
8 servings
-
Calories
244 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Description
This recipe includes a salt water brine to help retain moisture in the chicken breasts and drumsticks, which are then rubbed with a dry spice mix containing brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic, and herbs. The wood chips are soaked and wrapped in foil to generate smoke on the grill, imparting additional flavor during cooking.
Chicken is grilled over high heat with careful attention until safe internal temperatures are reached (165°F for breasts, 165-180°F for drumsticks). The use of olive oil spray and dry rub enhances surface browning and flavor penetration. In absence of a grill or wood chips, the recipe provides an oven method using liquid smoke in the brine or directly on the meat to mimic smoked flavor, followed by roasting and broiling to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
This approach produces chicken with a balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors, moist interiors, and attractive browned edges. It's versatile for backyard grilling or indoor baking when adapted as instructed.
The notes also highlight the importance of spacing chicken pieces during oven cooking and basting with BBQ sauce at the end to avoid drying out the meat and achieve a tasty finish.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast boneless skinless
- 4 chicken drumstick
- olive oil spray
- 1 cup hickory wood chips (or mesquite)
- aluminum foil (or smoker box)
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
QUICK BRINE
- 8 cups water lukewarm
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
SPICE RUB
- 1 1/2 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
PREPARE CHICKEN AND BRINE
- Remove any excess fat from chicken breasts and drumsticks. To a large mixing bowl, add brine ingredients (water and salt), and stir until salt has dissolved. Add chicken, cover, and let sit 20-30 minutes.
SOAK THE WOOD CHIPS
- Add the wood chips and enough water to cover them in a mixing bowl and let sit for around 20 minutes.
MAKE DRY RUB
- Add all rub ingredients (brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme and black pepper) in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
PREPARE TO GRILL
- Remove chicken from brine, rinse, then pat dry. Discard brine. Drain wood chips.
- Spray chicken with olive oil spray (or brush lightly with olive oil), then sprinkle with rub mixture and literally rub it into the meat.
- Fill an aluminum foil pouch with soaked wood chips, seal and poke a few holes in it to allow the smoke to come out. Start grill on HIGH, place 1 pouch of wood chips directly over the heat until you see smoke coming through the holes of the foil pouch.
- Lower heat and keep temperature around 350°F. Move the foil pouch to the side of the grill. Add chicken, close lid and cook for 9-10 minutes, then flip chicken over, close lid, and grill another 9-10 minutes.
- Baste chicken with bbq sauce and cook another 2-3 minutes (flipping once more), until chicken breasts have an internal temperature of 165°F and the drumsticks are between 165-180°F.
- Remove chicken from grill and brush with additional bbq sauce if desired.
Notes
- If using oven method, add 3-4 tablespoons of liquid smoke to the brine or directly to the chicken before adding dry rub for smoky flavor.
- When baking, use a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and a wire rack sprayed with nonstick spray for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Place chicken pieces without touching to ensure proper heat circulation and browning.
- Bake at 425°F for 18-22 minutes until fully cooked, then brush with BBQ sauce and broil for 3-4 minutes to caramelize edges.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 244 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 244kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 107mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 8269mg | 345% |
| Potassium | 563mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 682IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 32mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
