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Grilled BBQ Chicken That Nails Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes

Let’s be honest. When summer hits, I want to be outside with a drink in hand—not stuck babysitting a complicated dinner. That’s where this grilled BBQ chicken steps in. It’s smoky, juicy, a little charred in all the right places, and sweet where it counts. No dry, sad chicken breasts here. We’re talking thighs with enough flavor to make your neighbor lean over the fence ‘just to chat.’ I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs because they’re practically foolproof on the grill. They soak up the marinade like champs and crisp up beautifully without turning into rubber. And hey, even if you accidentally wander off mid-cook, the forgiving fat content gives you a little grace. This recipe checks all the boxes: easy grilled chicken recipes, quick and easy recipes, air fryer easy recipes (yep, you can adapt it), easy chicken dinner recipes, and even sweet easy recipes if you lean into that honey glaze. Whether you’re meal-prepping or just avoiding the stove, this one’s for you. Let’s get our grill on—without the drama.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Grill
Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer easy recipes, easy chicken dinner recipes, easy grilled chicken recipes, easy recipes for dinner, homemade pretzels soft easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, sweet easy recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up instead of steaming.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken thighs, getting under the skin where possible.
  5. Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill. Cook for 5–6 minutes until nicely charred.
  6. Flip the chicken and brush the top with BBQ sauce. Close the lid and cook another 5–7 minutes.
  7. Flip again, brush the other side with BBQ sauce, and grill another 3–4 minutes. Internal temp should hit 165°F.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving—then dive in!