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Best BBQ Chicken Breast

Category: Simple & Delicious Chicken Recipes

This guide shows how to prepare succulent BBQ chicken breast using either a grill or your oven. Start by using boneless, skinless chicken breasts drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Grill directly over high heat or bake at a high temperature, turning and basting with your favorite BBQ sauce. Cook just until the chicken is opaque and reaches a safe internal temperature for the juiciest texture. Allow for a brief resting period before slicing and serving, ensuring every bite stays moist and flavorful. Customize with extra sauce as desired for bold, smoky character.

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Updated on Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:45:15 GMT
A plate of BBQ chicken with a dipping sauce. Pin
A plate of BBQ chicken with a dipping sauce. | quickdinnerfix.com

This BBQ chicken breast recipe is a go-to solution for easy weeknight dinners when you want something satisfying without much fuss. With just a handful of ingredients and a simple grilling or oven method, you get juicy, flavorful chicken every single time. The sweet smoky BBQ glaze caramelizes as it cooks, locking in moisture and creating an irresistible finish.

I started making this when I needed a quick dinner after work and my family instantly requested it again. Now it is our number one backyard meal for last minute barbecues.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: choose plump pieces that are even in size for best results
  • Extra virgin olive oil: keeps the chicken juicy and helps seasonings stick
  • Kosher salt: adds seasoning and helps lock in moisture use flaky salt if possible
  • Freshly ground black pepper: for a little bite and extra depth crack it fresh for better flavor
  • BBQ sauce: the star of the show pick your favorite blend smoky spicy or sweet
  • If you want top notch results we love a smoky Kansas City style sauce but any will work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Chicken:
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Coat both sides lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper on all sides until well seasoned.
Grill the Chicken:
Set up your grill for direct high heat aiming for about four hundred fifty degrees F. Clean the grates for better searing. Place chicken on the grill cover and leave it alone for five to six minutes until it releases from the grates easily. Flip and let the other side cook for four to five minutes.
Baste with BBQ Sauce:
Brush BBQ sauce on the top side of the chicken and flip. Baste the other side and cook for two minutes. Flip again and repeat until both sides are glossy and slightly charred with sauce sticking.
Check for Doneness:
Use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest part aims for one hundred sixty degrees F. The chicken will finish cooking as it rests. Remove and cover loosely with foil and let rest for five minutes before slicing.
Oven Method:
Preheat your oven to four hundred fifty degrees F. Place oiled and seasoned chicken breasts on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for fifteen minutes. Pull out the chicken and brush the tops with BBQ sauce then return for five to eight minutes until the sauce bubbles and just starts to blacken. The internal temperature should be one hundred sixty degrees F. Rest the chicken for a few minutes before slicing.
A plate of BBQ chicken with a dipping sauce. Pin
A plate of BBQ chicken with a dipping sauce. | quickdinnerfix.com

My absolute favorite part of this meal is watching the BBQ sauce caramelize and stick to the chicken while grilling. It reminds me of summer cookouts in my backyard with neighbors dropping by just because they caught the mouthwatering smell drifting over the fence.

Storage Tips

If you have leftovers let the chicken cool completely first. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze cooked BBQ chicken breasts wrap tightly in plastic and foil and freeze for up to one month for best texture. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave covering with extra sauce to prevent drying out.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap out chicken breasts for boneless thighs for richer flavor just add a few more minutes of cook time. If you do not have olive oil any mild cooking oil like canola or avocado oil will work. You can make this gluten free by using a certified gluten free BBQ sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this BBQ chicken fresh off the grill with a simple side of corn on the cob and a crisp green salad. For a hearty meal pile sliced chicken on a toasted bun with crunchy pickles or use the leftovers in a wrap or atop a baked potato.

A plate of BBQ chicken with sauce. Pin
A plate of BBQ chicken with sauce. | quickdinnerfix.com

Cultural and Historical Context

BBQ chicken is a true American classic especially popular for easy family gatherings and backyard parties. Each region has its own sauce preference from Carolina vinegar to sticky Memphis sweet sauce. The tradition of grilling chicken coated in a sweet tangy glaze is beloved for its simplicity and universal appeal.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do you keep BBQ chicken breast moist?

Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, brush with olive oil, and cook over high heat just until done. Rest briefly before serving to retain juices.

→ Is grilling or baking better for BBQ chicken?

Both methods produce tender chicken. Grilling adds smoky flavor, while baking yields equally juicy results with a sticky glaze.

→ When should you add BBQ sauce during cooking?

Brush with BBQ sauce during the final minutes of cooking to prevent burning and to allow a caramelized finish on the chicken.

→ What internal temperature should chicken breast reach?

Cook the chicken until it reaches 160°F, then let rest; the temperature will rise to a safe 165°F as it sits off the heat.

→ Can you use bone-in or thighs for this method?

Yes, bone-in or thighs work well. Adjust cooking time to ensure the meat is fully cooked and stays juicy.

Best BBQ Chicken Breast

Juicy BBQ chicken breast with a sweet glaze, cooked on grill or oven for tender, flavorful results.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
30 min

Category: Chicken

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Seasoning

02 Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
03 Kosher salt, to taste
04 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Sauce

05 120 ml BBQ sauce (use preferred variety)

Steps

Step 01

For grilling, preheat grill for direct cooking at high heat (232°C). Clean the grates. For oven preparation, preheat oven to 232°C and line a baking sheet with aluminium foil.

Step 02

Drizzle chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil and rub to coat evenly. Season each side liberally with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 03

Place chicken breasts on the hot grill. Cover and cook for 5–6 minutes until easily released from the grates. Flip and grill for another 4–5 minutes. Baste breasts with BBQ sauce, flip, and grill 2 minutes per side, repeating on the opposite side. Continue to grill until chicken is firm and opaque throughout, reaching an internal temperature of 71°C.

Step 04

Transfer the grilled chicken breasts to a plate, cover loosely with aluminium foil, and rest for 5 minutes for juices to redistribute. Serve with additional BBQ sauce if desired.

Step 05

Place seasoned chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Brush the top of each breast with BBQ sauce, return to the oven, and bake for an additional 5–8 minutes until the sauce bubbles, begins to char, and the internal temperature reaches 71°C with clear juices.

Step 06

Allow the baked chicken to rest for several minutes until internal temperature rises to 74°C and juices settle before serving.

Notes

  1. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts yield tender results with quick cooking. Thighs or bone-in cuts can be used, increasing cooking time as needed.

Required Equipment

  • Grill or conventional oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminium foil
  • Tongs
  • Basting brush

Allergy Information

Double-check each ingredient to identify potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Some BBQ sauces may contain gluten, soy, or mustard. Check labels for allergens.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 190
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Carbs: 15 g
  • Protein: 24 g