Description
Master the art of juicy grilled BBQ chicken with our step-by-step guide. Discover the best flavor and make your next backyard cookout a hit!
Ingredients
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks (about 3–4 lbs total)
- For the Brine:
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Optional: 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, 2 smashed garlic cloves
- For the Rub:
- 1 tablespoon paprika (smoked paprika if desired)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
- For Grilling:
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or high-smoke-point oil
- 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- 1. Brine the Chicken: In a large container, combine cold water, kosher salt, brown sugar, and optional aromatics. Stir until dissolved. Add chicken, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 4-12 hours (overnight is best).
- 2. Prepare Chicken & Grill: Remove chicken from brine, pat thoroughly dry with paper towels (important for crispy skin!), and discard brine. Lightly brush chicken with oil, then generously rub with the spice mixture. Let chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat your grill for two-zone cooking (one side high heat, one side off/low).
- 3. Sear the Chicken: Place chicken, skin-side down, over direct high heat. Sear for 3-5 minutes, until golden brown and crisp, carefully watching for flare-ups. Flip and sear on the non-skin side for another 2-3 minutes.
- 4. Cook Indirectly: Move chicken to the indirect heat side of the grill (skin-side up). Close the lid and cook at 350-375°F (175-190°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 150-155°F (65-68°C).
- 5. Sauce & Finish: Generously brush BBQ sauce onto all sides of the chicken. Close the lid and continue cooking, brushing with more sauce every 5-7 minutes, for another 10-15 minutes, until the sauce caramelizes and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- 6. Rest & Serve: Remove chicken from grill, transfer to a platter, and cover loosely with foil. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your incredibly juicy grilled BBQ chicken!
- Prep Time: 15 mins + Brine Time (4-12 hours)
- Cook Time: 40-55 mins