Grilled chicken

This 5-ingredient BBQ chicken is juicy, well-charred, and easy to make using your favorite BBQ sauce. Perfect for your summer barbecue!

Grilled chicken

I love the simplicity of this grilled chicken recipe, made with just five ingredients I’m sure you already have on hand. I used drumsticks, but you can also use a whole chicken cut into pieces, adjusting the time as needed. Also, I left the skin on the drumsticks, but you can omit it. Serve this dish with corn on the cob and coleslaw for an easy meal. For more of my favorite grilled chicken recipes, try these BBQ Chicken Foil Packs, BBQ Chicken Salad, and BBQ Chicken Quesadilla.

Do you put barbecue sauce on the chicken before cooking it?

The best time to add barbecue sauce is when the chicken is almost ready. If you do this when the chicken is raw, the sugar in the sauce will cause it to brown faster than the meat and the outside of the chicken can burn. Brush the sauce over the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.

Grilled chicken ingredients

• BBQ Chicken Rub: Seasoning salt, such as Lawrys or adobo, and garlic powder
• Sauce: Your favorite barbecue sauce, yellow mustard and a little water to dilute
• Chicken: Eight wands with or without skin

How to make grilled chicken

1. Season the drumsticks: Sprinkle the chicken with the salt seasoning and garlic powder. If you have skin on the drumsticks, rub a little seasoning under the skin. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight for maximum flavor.
2. Make the BBQ Sauce: Combine the barbecue sauce, mustard and two tablespoons of water to thin it out.
3. Prepare the grill: Starting with a clean grill, preheat it over medium heat. Once hot, oil the grates and reduce the heat to low.
4. Grilling the Chicken: Place the drumsticks on the grill, cover, and turn them often to make sure they don’t burn. It will take about 18-20 minutes for the chicken to turn golden brown and cooked through. Check it’s ready with a thermometer that should read 165F.
5. Barbecue sauce: Brush the gravy mixture evenly over the chicken and cook about two more minutes, turning a few times.

What to serve with grilled chicken

There are so many ways to eat this simple grilled chicken. Here are some ideas.

Variations

• Barbecue sauce: When shopping for barbecue sauce, look for one with less sugar. If you don’t have a store-bought one you love, you can make your own homemade barbecue sauce.
• Chicken: Use chicken breasts or thighs (buy bone-in pieces) or cut up a whole chicken and use all parts. The cooking time will vary, but check its readiness with a thermometer.
• No outdoor grills? Bake the chicken in a 400F oven for 35 to 45 minutes and brush it with the barbecue sauce during the last two minutes of cooking.

More grilled chicken recipes you’ll love