Recipe
Grilled BBQ Chicken
This is the best recipe for grilled BBQ Chicken - the chicken is extra juicy from brining, flavorful from the spice rub and gets finished with BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 quart water
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 4-5 lbs chicken pieces (I used a mix of boneless/skinless chicken breast and bone-in, skin-on thighs, drumsticks and wings)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (or more to taste)
Instructions
- 1
Brine chicken
Brine chicken: Combine brine ingredients in a very large bowl. Trim any excess fat off chicken, then submerge chicken in brine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and for up to 24 hours.
- 2
Prepare for grilling
Prepare for grilling: Once ready to cook, heat grill on high. Combine all ingredients for spice mix in a small bowl.
- 3
Prepare chicken
Prepare chicken: Remove chicken from brine, discard brine. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Rub each chicken piece with spice mix all over.
- 4
Grill covered
Grill covered: Lower heat from grill to 360°F (on a gas grill; if using charcoal, place chicken over indirect heat). Place chicken skin-side up on grill. Close lid and grill for 10 minutes. Flip chicken, then grill with lid closed for another 5-10 minutes (depending on how large your chicken pieces are).
- 5
Grill uncovered
Grill uncovered: Increase grill to 425°F (or move chicken over direct heat). Keep grilling chicken, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes, flipping once or twice, until browned with grill marks.
- 6
Baste and finish
Baste and finish: Once chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 155°F, baste with BBQ sauce. Grill for 2 minutes, flip, baste again, the grill for another 2 minutes. Once chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F, remove chicken to a plate. Rest for 5 minutes, then serve.