Grilled BBQ Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Introduction

Few dishes capture the essence of summer like Grilled BBQ Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce. Juicy chicken, kissed by the flames of the grill, develops a smoky charred crust that pairs beautifully with the sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes of a rich homemade BBQ sauce. This dish is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of outdoor cooking, family gatherings, and the unmistakable comfort of barbecue.

Unlike store-bought sauces, making your own BBQ sauce gives you complete control over sweetness, smokiness, and heat, ensuring a sauce that’s perfectly balanced and deeply flavorful. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, a weeknight family dinner, or a festive gathering, this dish delivers both comfort and crowd-pleasing satisfaction.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings together two things I can never resist—grilled chicken with that smoky, flame-kissed taste and a bold, glossy, sticky barbecue sauce that clings to every bite. The homemade sauce elevates the chicken to something special—unlike bottled sauces, it’s fresh, customizable, and layered with flavor.

It’s also versatile—you can use different cuts of chicken, adjust the sauce to your taste, and even make extra sauce to use on ribs, sandwiches, or roasted veggies. Plus, nothing beats the aroma of chicken sizzling on the grill with BBQ sauce caramelizing beautifully.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Homemade BBQ sauce that’s richer and tastier than store-bought.
• Perfect for summer cookouts, picnics, and parties.
• Customizable—adjust sweetness, spice, or smokiness.
• Works with chicken thighs, drumsticks, breasts, or wings.
• Crowd-pleasing and family-friendly.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes (plus 1–2 hours marinating, optional)
• Cooking Time: 30–40 minutes (depending on cut of chicken)
• Total Time: About 1 hour active (not including marinating)

Servings & Nutrition

• Servings: 4–6
• Calories (per serving): ~410–450 kcal (with sauce, depending on cut)
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: American (Southern BBQ style)

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 3 lbs chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, breasts, or a mix)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tablespoons honey or molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Prepare the BBQ Sauce:
   • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire, mustard, and spices.
   • Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
   • Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
   • Taste and adjust seasoning (add more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or cayenne for spice).
   • Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Season the Chicken:
   • Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
   • Rub with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
   • For extra flavor, marinate for 1–2 hours in the refrigerator (optional).
3. Preheat the Grill:
   • Heat grill to medium-high (about 375–400°F / 190–200°C).
   • Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
4. Grill the Chicken:
   • Place chicken on the grill, skin side down first if using bone-in.
   • Grill 6–8 minutes per side for bone-in pieces, or 4–5 minutes per side for boneless, until cooked through.
   • Use a meat thermometer: chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
5. Apply the BBQ Sauce:
   • During the last 5–10 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken generously with BBQ sauce.
   • Turn and brush again, allowing sauce to caramelize without burning.
6. Finish and Serve:
   • Remove chicken from grill, brush with extra sauce if desired.
   • Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

• Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions.
• Pair with classic BBQ sides: coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, potato salad, or grilled corn.
• Extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping is a must!

Recipe Tips

• Always apply BBQ sauce toward the end of grilling to prevent burning.
• For juicier chicken, choose thighs or drumsticks over breasts.
• Make extra BBQ sauce—it keeps well and works on ribs, sandwiches, or as a dip.
• Use indirect heat for larger chicken pieces to cook evenly without burning.

Variations

• Spicy BBQ Chicken: Add hot sauce or extra cayenne to the BBQ sauce.
• Smoky BBQ Chicken: Add liquid smoke or extra smoked paprika to the sauce.
• Honey BBQ Chicken: Add more honey for a sweeter glaze.
• Oven Method: Bake chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 35–40 minutes, brushing with BBQ sauce in the last 10 minutes.
• Air Fryer Method: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes, brushing with sauce halfway.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in airtight container up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer (cooked): Freeze cooled chicken for up to 2 months. Reheat in oven at 375°F until warmed through.
• Freezer (sauce): Store BBQ sauce separately in a jar or container up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before use.

Special Equipment Needed

• Outdoor grill (gas or charcoal) OR indoor grill pan
• Tongs
• Saucepan (for BBQ sauce)
• Meat thermometer (recommended)

Conclusion

Grilled BBQ Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce is the ultimate summer meal—flavorful, smoky, and saucy in every bite. The homemade BBQ sauce is simple yet transformative, giving the chicken a sticky glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious.

Perfect for cookouts, family gatherings, or weeknight dinners, this recipe guarantees juicy, finger-licking chicken every time. With its versatility, make-ahead sauce, and freezer-friendly nature, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Print Recipe

0 Add to Favorites

Grilled BBQ Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Chicken

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 1 hr

Servings: 6 Calories: 410–450 kcal per serving

Description

Few dishes capture the essence of summer like Grilled BBQ Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce. Juicy chicken, kissed by the flames of the grill, develops a smoky charred crust that pairs beautifully with the sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes of a rich homemade BBQ sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Chicken:

• 3 lbs chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, breasts, or a mix)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tablespoons honey or molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the BBQ Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire, mustard, and spices. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning (add more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or cayenne for spice). Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Season the Chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, marinate for 1–2 hours in the refrigerator (optional).
3. Preheat the Grill: Heat grill to medium-high (about 375–400°F / 190–200°C). Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
4. Grill the Chicken: Place chicken on the grill, skin side down first if using bone-in. Grill 6–8 minutes per side for bone-in pieces, or 4–5 minutes per side for boneless, until cooked through. Use a meat thermometer: chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
5. Apply the BBQ Sauce: During the last 5–10 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken generously with BBQ sauce. Turn and brush again, allowing sauce to caramelize without burning.
6. Finish and Serve: Remove chicken from grill, brush with extra sauce if desired. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Keywords: Grilled BBQ Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce