Classic Easy BBQ Chicken Dinner
This recipe provides a simple yet delicious way to prepare BBQ chicken, perfect for a casual dinner. The chicken is seasoned with a homemade rub, grilled to perfection, and coated with a rich BBQ sauce.
Equipment
- Paper towels
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Grill
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Basting brush
Ingredients
Main
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks (or a mix)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels then toss with olive oil in a large bowl to lightly coat.
- Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to make the rub.
- Generously season the chicken with the rub, ensuring full coverage, and optionally refrigerate for 1-4 hours for enhanced flavor.
Grilling
- Set up your grill for two-zone cooking with a medium-high direct heat side (400-425°F/200-220°C) and an indirect heat side.
- Optional: Sear the chicken skin-side down on direct heat for 3-5 minutes until browned, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Move chicken to indirect heat, close the lid, and cook for 30-40 minutes, flipping occasionally, until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- During the last 10-15 minutes, brush chicken generously with BBQ sauce, close the lid, and repeat once or twice until glazed and sticky.
Serving
- Remove chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to redistribute juices before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the rub for up to 4 hours. Adjust grill temperature as needed to prevent burning, especially when adding BBQ sauce. Allow chicken to rest after cooking for the juiciest results.