BBQ Chicken Breast (Grilled or Oven Baked)

Grilled outdoors or baked in the oven, this BBQ chicken breast is a quick and easy summer meal!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword bbq chicken breast, grilled bbq chicken breast, grilled chicken, grilled chicken breast, oven BBQ chicken breast

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Resting Time 5

Total Time 25

Servings people

Calories 317kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

4 (6-8 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed (or substitute with about 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 tablespoons BBQ rub seasoning (or substitute with a store-bought rub or just use kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste)
½ cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving

Cover chicken breast with plastic wrap and pound gently with meat mallet or rolling pin until ½-inch thick.
Rub each piece of chicken with olive oil; season on all sides with BBQ rub (or kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste).

Open the bottom vent completely. Light the large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes. When the top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.

Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high.
Oil the cooking grate. Place the chicken on the grill and cook (covered if using gas) until the chicken has nice grill marks, about 3-5 minutes. Flip the chicken over and continue to cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, about 3-5 more minutes. Baste with barbecue sauce during the final 3 minutes.
Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, if desired. Place the seasoned chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, about 15 minutes. Baste with barbecue sauce during the final 3 minutes. For more of a char on the outside, place the chicken under the broiler for the final 1-2 minutes. If the chicken's under the broiler, keep a close eye on it because it can burn quickly.

Get the grill nice and hot. Chicken breast is a very lean meat, so it stays juiciest when cooked quickly over high heat.

The total grilling time will vary depending on a number of different factors, such as the temperature of your grill, the temperature of your chicken when it goes on the grill, and the size and thickness of your chicken. As a result, it's always best to use a meat thermometer to know exactly when your chicken is done. You're looking for an internal temp of 165°F for chicken breast perfection!

If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you don't need to pound them flat. Grill them for about 3-5 minutes per side, or roast in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 20-25 minutes.