BBQ Chicken
This juicy BBQ chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful results in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken Base
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 to 9 ounces each) choose evenly sized pieces for even cooking
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for coating
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
Sauce Finish
- ½ cup BBQ sauce use your favorite brand or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 450°F for direct heat or preheat oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and rub evenly over both sides. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
- For grilling: Place chicken on hot grates and cook 5 to 6 minutes without moving. Flip and cook another 4 to 5 minutes.
- For baking: Place chicken on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
- Brush BBQ sauce over chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. For grill, brush, cook 2 minutes, flip, brush again, and cook 2 more minutes. For oven, brush sauce and return to bake 5 to 8 minutes until bubbling and lightly caramelized.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part. Remove chicken from heat at 160°F (71°C).
- Let chicken rest loosely covered for 5 minutes. The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C). Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
Choose chicken breasts that weigh 6 to 9 ounces each for even cooking. If breasts are thick, slice them lengthwise into cutlets to reduce cook time and prevent dry edges. Always remove chicken at 160°F and allow it to rest for carryover cooking to reach the safe 165°F. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg
- Sodium: 498 mg
- Potassium: 501 mg
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Vitamin A: 114 IU
- Vitamin C: 2 mg
- Calcium: 17 mg
- Iron: 1 mg