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The Best Easy Juicy BBQ Chicken

BBQ chicken that stays tender and juicy with a smoky, caramelized BBQ sauce glaze. Grilled over indirect heat, basted in the final minutes, and finished at 165°F for juicy results.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts)
  • 4 lb chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts)
olive oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 salt
  • 1 pepper
bbq sauce
  • 2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry, then coat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Make the sauce
  1. Mix BBQ sauce with apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika until smooth.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat at 350-400°F.
  2. Grill the chicken over indirect heat for 30-35 minutes, turning every 10 minutes so it cooks evenly.
  3. During the last 10 minutes, brush the chicken generously with BBQ sauce and move it to direct heat.
  4. Continue grilling and basting until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce looks caramelized with a glossy glaze.
Rest and serve
  1. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute before serving.

Notes

For juicier chicken, dry the pieces well before seasoning and don’t sauce too early—save most basting for the last 10 minutes so you get a caramelized glaze instead of burning. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months (best quality when reheated gently). For a lower-sugar swap, choose a BBQ sauce labeled no-sugar-added or reduced sugar.