Description
These grilled BBQ chicken breasts are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor thanks to a simple 3-ingredient marinade. Using boneless, skinless chicken, this recipe gives you clear, no-guesswork directions on how long to cook them so they won’t dry out. With easy-to-follow steps, it’s a reliable go-to for bbq chicken that turns out great every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (around 1 lb total)
- 0.5 cups bbq sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 0.25 cups mild oil (like avocado oil)
- 1 tsp kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand)
Instructions
- Step: Place the raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag. If the breasts are already an even thickness, skip to the next step. If not, press out the air from the bag, seal it, and lay it flat on a cutting board. Cover the bag with a thin towel and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the thicker areas until the chicken is about one-third to one-half inch thick.
- Step: In a liquid measuring cup, combine the BBQ sauce, oil, and kosher salt. Stir thoroughly with a small whisk until fully mixed.
- Step: Open the plastic bag with the chicken and pour in all but 1 ounce of the marinade. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and massage the chicken to coat it evenly. Place the bag flat in the fridge for 40 minutes, flipping it over after 30 minutes.
- Step: After marinating, take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Step: About 10 minutes before the chicken is ready, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature of 375 to 400°F.
- Step: When the chicken has warmed slightly and the grill is hot, use tongs to remove the breasts from the bag and place them directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and let them cook for 5 minutes.
- Step: Flip the chicken with tongs, brush the reserved marinade over the top using a basting brush, and close the lid again. Cook for another 4 minutes, then check the internal temperature. If it hasn’t reached 165°F, continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Step: Once done, remove the chicken from the grill with tongs, let rest for 4 or 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
The size and weight of chicken breasts can vary widely. There is enough marinade in the recipe to use anywhere between 0.75 and 1.5 pounds of chicken. Be sure to check the temperature of the chicken in multiple places to ensure it’s done cooking.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: grilled chicken, bbq chicken, chicken breast, grilling recipe, marinade