Name: Easy BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe (Perfect for Summer Cookouts)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks work great too); 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade); 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)

Jump to Recipe

Every summer, my backyard turns into the neighborhood gathering spot, and this grilled chicken is always the star of the show. It's the recipe friends text me about the next day, and honestly, I love that.

The marinade does most of the heavy lifting, and the whole thing comes together with minimal fuss. Whether you're cooking for four or feeding a crowd, this one never lets you down.

Easy BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe (Perfect for Summer Cookouts)

Juicy, smoky grilled chicken coated in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that's ready in under an hour.

4.8 (137 reviews)

Gluten-freeDairy-free

Prep15 min

Cook30 min

Rest time10 min

Total55 min

Serves4 servings

LevelEasy

Ingredients

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs , or drumsticks work great too
1 cup BBQ sauce , your favorite store-bought or homemade
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper , optional, for a little heat

Instructions

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy on the grill instead of steaming.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using.

Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken, getting under the skin where you can. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while the grill heats up, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.

Preheat your grill to medium heat, around 375°F to 400°F. Clean and oil the grates well to prevent sticking.

Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes without moving it, then flip and cook another 5 to 6 minutes.

Continue grilling, flipping every 5 minutes, until the chicken is almost cooked through, about 25 minutes total.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the BBQ sauce generously on both sides. Let it caramelize and get sticky, keeping a close eye so it doesn't burn.

Remove the chicken from the grill when the internal temperature reads 165°F at the thickest part. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

Don't rush the grill preheat. A properly hot grill gives you those beautiful grill marks and helps prevent sticking.
Save the BBQ sauce basting for the last few minutes only. Adding it too early causes the sugar to burn before the chicken is cooked through.
Bone-in thighs are more forgiving than breasts because of their higher fat content, making them perfect for beginner grillers.
If you hit a flare-up, just move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill and let it die down before returning the pieces.
A meat thermometer is your best friend here. Color alone is not a reliable indicator that chicken is fully cooked.

Storage: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 15 minutes to keep it moist, or microwave with a damp paper towel over the top.

Nutrition per serving · estimated

410 Cal

22g Fat

18g Carbs

34g Protein

14g Sugar

780mg Sodium

Why Bone-In Thighs Are My Go-To for the Grill

Chicken breasts get all the attention, but thighs are where the real magic happens on a grill. The extra fat keeps them juicy even if you get distracted and leave them on a minute or two too long.

Bone-in pieces also take the indirect heat better during that long middle cooking phase, giving you tender meat that practically falls off the bone. Once you grill thighs, it's hard to go back.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is more of a starting point than a strict formula. Swap the smoked paprika for chipotle powder if you want a deeper, smokier kick, or stir a spoonful of honey into the BBQ sauce for extra sweetness.

The spice rub also works beautifully on chicken wings or even thick-cut pork chops if you're mixing up the cookout menu. Don't be afraid to play with it.

Easy BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe (Perfect for Summer Cookouts)