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Grilled BBQ Chicken

Featured in Delicious Main Course Recipes for Every Occasion.

This Grilled BBQ Chicken recipe takes drumsticks to a whole new level with a two-pronged flavor approach. First, a custom spice rub featuring smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and herbs creates a flavor-packed foundation. Then, a homemade barbecue sauce with a surprising twist of blackberry preserves adds depth, sweetness, and tanginess that store-bought sauces just can't match. The magic happens in the cooking technique - starting with a high-heat sear to lock in juices, then moving to lower heat for gentle cooking until perfectly done. The sauce is added only in the final minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly without burning. What makes this recipe special is the attention to detail in both preparation and cooking, resulting in chicken that's smoky, juicy, and intensely flavorful. Whether you're grilling outdoors or using the alternate oven method, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality BBQ chicken every time.
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Updated on Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:50:12 GMT
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Grilled BBQ Chicken | homedeliciousrecipes.com

This BBQ Chicken on the Grill with Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe is your ticket to achieving juicy, smoky, and deeply flavorful chicken every time. The combination of a homemade spice rub and a rich, tangy barbecue sauce elevates this dish far beyond your standard grilled chicken, making it a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

  • Chicken drumsticks (or other chicken pieces): The protein base of the dish, providing a juicy and tender texture.
  • Olive oil: Used to coat the chicken, helping the spice rub adhere and keeping the chicken moist.
  • Smoked paprika, salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, chipotle chili powder, dried thyme, pepper: A blend of spices that creates a rich and flavorful rub.
  • Ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, blackberry preserves, apple cider vinegar: The base ingredients for the homemade barbecue sauce.
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Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Cooking Instructions

Combine the Spices:
In a small bowl, whisk together all the spice rub ingredients. Remove 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice mix and set it aside for the barbecue sauce.
Season the Chicken:
Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and rub it all over. Sprinkle the remaining spice mix over all sides of the chicken and rub it in. Let the chicken rest for 30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. If refrigerating, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
Make the Barbecue Sauce:
Combine all the barbecue sauce ingredients, including the reserved spice mix, in a saucepan. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Grill the Chicken:
Grease and preheat the grill to high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 5 minutes per side, uncovered. Cover the grill and reduce the heat to around 325°F. Cook for 10 additional minutes, flipping halfway through.
Baste the Chicken:
Baste the chicken with the barbecue sauce and cook for 1 minute, flip, and cook an additional minute. Continue to cook until the chicken registers 165-170ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
Coat in Barbecue Sauce:
Remove the chicken to a serving platter and brush with more barbecue sauce. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra sauce on the side.

Adding More Variety:

  • Experiment with different types of berry preserves in the barbecue sauce.
  • Use different types of wood chips to add different smoky flavors to the chicken.
  • Add a splash of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce for a deeper smokey flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, and potato salad.

Serve the chicken on buns for a BBQ chicken sandwich.

Serve with a side of grilled vegetables.

Variations

  • Try different barbecue sauce variations, such as Honey Sriracha, Honey Mustard, or Chipotle Lime.
  • Use chicken breasts instead of drumsticks, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
  • Brine chicken breasts to keep them moist.
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheat the chicken in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Reheat leftover BBQ sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.

This recipe provides a detailed method for grilling BBQ chicken with a flavorful homemade sauce and spice rub, offering tips and variations for a successful and enjoyable meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken thighs or breasts instead of drumsticks?
Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs or breasts in this Grilled BBQ Chicken recipe. For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time to about 5-7 minutes per side and cook to 165°F. For bone-in thighs, follow the same timing as the drumsticks but check the temperature to ensure they reach 175-180°F for the most tender results.
→ What can I substitute for blackberry preserves in the BBQ sauce?
If you don't have blackberry preserves, you can substitute raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry preserves in the barbecue sauce. The fruit adds subtle sweetness and depth. In a pinch, you could omit the preserves and add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar to achieve a similar complexity.
→ How long will the homemade BBQ sauce keep in the refrigerator?
The homemade barbecue sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for preparing in advance or making a larger batch for future meals. The flavors actually continue to develop over time, making the sauce even more delicious after a day or two.
→ Why do you recommend removing the skin from the chicken?
While crispy chicken skin is delicious, I recommend removing the skin for this Grilled BBQ Chicken recipe because it tends to become soggy when coated with barbecue sauce. Skinless chicken also allows the spice rub to penetrate the meat better, and prevents flare-ups on the grill that can burn your chicken. If you prefer to keep the skin on, just be prepared to eat it with the skin to enjoy the flavor from the rub.
→ Can I make this recipe without a grill?
Absolutely! This BBQ chicken recipe includes an alternative oven method that works wonderfully. Bake at 425°F for 30-35 minutes on a rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. For an extra touch of caramelization, you can broil the chicken for the last 1-2 minutes after applying the sauce, watching carefully to prevent burning. The results are just as delicious as the grilled version.

Grilled BBQ Chicken & Sauce

Juicy grilled chicken drumsticks coated in a flavorful spice rub and slathered with homemade blackberry barbecue sauce - perfect for summer cookouts.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (8-10 drumsticks)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Chicken

01 8-10 skinless chicken drumsticks (approx. 3 pounds)
02 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spice Mix

03 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
04 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
05 1 tsp chili powder
06 1 tsp onion powder
07 1 tsp garlic powder
08 1 tsp brown sugar
09 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
10 1/2 tsp dried thyme
11 1/2 tsp pepper

→ Barbecue Sauce

12 1 cup ketchup
13 1/4 cup molasses
14 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
15 2 tablespoons seedless blackberry preserves
16 2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
17 1 1/2 teaspoons reserved Spice Rub (from above)

Instructions

Step 01

Whisk together all of the Spice Mix ingredients. Remove 1 1/2 teaspoons to a saucepan to use later in your Barbecue Sauce.

Step 02

Drizzle chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and rub it all over the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with half of the Spice Mix and rub into chicken. Flip chicken over and sprinkle with remaining spice mix (it will seem like a lot but use it all). Rub spice mix into chicken.

Step 03

Let chicken sit 30 minutes at room temperature OR you can cover and refrigerate up to overnight and cook later. (If you refrigerate chicken and grill later, let chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to grilling for more even cooking.)

Step 04

Meanwhile, add all of the Barbecue Sauce ingredients to the saucepan with the reserved 1 1/2 teaspoons spice mix. Whisk together and simmer for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to meld.

Step 05

Grease grill and preheat grill to high heat. Once hot, add chicken and sear, uncovered, for 5 minutes, flip chicken over and sear an additional 5 minutes.

Step 06

Cover, and turn heat down to low so the temperature stays around 325 degrees F when the lid is closed. Cook 5 minutes with the lid closed, flip and cook an additional 5 minutes with the lid closed.

Step 07

Baste chicken with barbecue sauce and cook 1 minute, flip and cook an additional minute. Using an instant read thermometer, check temperature of chicken at the thickest part without touching the bone. Chicken is done when it registers 165-180º F on an instant read thermometer.

Step 08

If chicken isn't done, continue to grill (covered) and flip chicken and baste with barbecue sauce every 3 minutes until it reaches temperature.

Step 09

Remove chicken to a serving platter brush with barbecue sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional barbecue sauce.

Step 10

Line a baking sheet with foil (for easy cleanup) and top with a baking/cooling rack if you have one. Lightly spray rack with nonstick cooking spray. Line drumsticks on the baking rack without touching. Let chicken set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Bake chicken at 425 F degrees for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through. Remove chicken to a serving platter brush with barbecue sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional barbecue sauce.

Notes

  1. Remove skin from drumsticks to prevent soggy skin when coated with barbecue sauce and to reduce flare-ups.
  2. Use all the seasonings in the spice mix - it might seem like a lot but it's the perfect amount.
  3. Let chicken rest with the seasonings for 30 minutes on the counter or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
  4. If chicken has been refrigerated, let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking for more even cooking.
  5. Cook to 165°F for light meat or 180°F for dark meat for more tender, fall-off-the-bone results.

Tools You'll Need

  • Grill or oven
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Instant read thermometer
  • Basting brush
  • Baking sheet and rack (for oven method)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 28 g