# Barbecue Grilled Chicken: The Ideal Summer Dish
Barbecue Grilled Chicken is a simple yet delightful recipe that stands out during summer gatherings and family meals. This meal features succulent chicken coated with barbecue sauce while grilling, creating a sticky coating that is guaranteed to satisfy everyone.
## Highlights of Holly’s Recipe: Barbecue Grilled Chicken
### Taste
This chicken delivers an enjoyable mix of smoky, sweet, and savory tastes, with moist meat and crispy skin, all surrounded by a luscious caramelized barbecue layer.
### Suggested Tools
To make the cooking process easier and to ensure juicy chicken, having a pair of tongs, a basting brush, and an instant-read thermometer is advisable.
### Serving Ideas
Combine this grilled chicken with traditional summer accompaniments such as creamy coleslaw, potato salad, grilled corn, baked beans, or a generous serving of macaroni salad for the perfect outdoor meal.
### Overall Time
– **Total Time:** 45 Minutes
– **Servings:** 6
– **Cooking Method:** Grilled
## Ingredient Insights for Barbecue Grilled Chicken
– **Chicken:** Bone-in, skin-on chicken is preferred for optimal juiciness and flavor. Though boneless breasts or thighs are usable, they cook quicker and need more attention regarding temperature.
– **BBQ Sauce:** Select a barbecue sauce you enjoy, as it greatly affects the flavor. Sweeter sauces should be applied during the final grilling stages to prevent burning.
## Simple BBQ Variations
– **Spicy BBQ Chicken:** Incorporate a spicy barbecue sauce or a touch of hot sauce.
– **Honey BBQ Chicken:** Choose a honey-flavored sauce for a sweeter touch.
– **Smoky BBQ Chicken:** Opt for hickory or mesquite barbecue sauce, or mix in smoked paprika into the seasoning.
## Steps to Prepare BBQ Chicken
1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Coat the chicken in oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the chicken skin-side down for 15 minutes.
4. Turn the chicken, baste with barbecue sauce, and continue cooking for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, regularly brushing with sauce until the chicken hits the right internal temperatures (165°F for breasts, 175°F for thighs and drumsticks).
5. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
### Tips for Ideal BBQ Chicken
– **Dry the Chicken:** This allows the skin to become crispy rather than steamy.
– **Oil the Grates:** Oiling the grill grates helps prevent sticking.
– **Keep Medium Heat:** This ensures the chicken is cooked all the way through without burning.
– **Apply Barbecue Sauce Later:** Add sauce after the first 15 minutes to avoid burning from the sugar content.
– **Utilize a Meat Thermometer:** Make sure the chicken is cooked to the correct temperatures for safety.
## Preserve Every Flavorful Bite
– Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
– Reheat in the oven at 325°F, covered with foil, and apply extra sauce to keep the chicken moist.
– Smaller portions can be reheated in an air fryer at a lower temperature, but keep a close watch to prevent burning the sauce.
## Additional BBQ Sauce Favorites
Did you enjoy this Barbecue Grilled Chicken? Please leave a comment and rating below!