Description
Grilled BBQ Chicken is a timeless favorite with smoky flavor and tender texture, perfect for gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 lbs chicken tenderloins or boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- About 1 cup store-bought barbecue sauce or homemade BBQ sauce
Instructions
- If you’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts, place each breast one at a time into a 1-gallon zip lock bag. Using a meat mallet, pound each breast to an even 1/2 inch thickness. If you’re using chicken tenderloins, you can skip this step.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, minced garlic, salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken in the bowl with the marinade and, using tongs, toss until each piece is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 360 minutes or up to 1440 minutes for deeper flavor absorption.
- Preheat your grill to high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and brush with a portion of the barbecue sauce. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Note that chicken tenderloins will cook faster than chicken breasts.
- Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a serving platter and serve it with the remaining barbecue sauce alongside for dipping.
Notes
For even more flavor, try marinating the chicken overnight. Use a meat thermometer for perfect cooking. Let the chicken rest before slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American