21 Best BBQ Chicken Recipes Perfect for Grilling Season

This BBQ Chicken Quesadilla combines tender chicken coated in tangy BBQ sauce with diced red onion and fresh cilantro, all melted together with cheese inside a crispy flour tortilla.

It cooks quickly on the stovetop, making it a convenient and flavorful option for lunch or a casual dinner.

The quesadilla can be sliced into triangles and served with dips like ranch, sour cream, or salsa to enhance the taste. Variations allow swapping chicken for other shredded meats or beans, and cilantro can be omitted to suit different preferences.

This BBQ Chicken Quesadilla combines tender chicken coated in tangy BBQ sauce with diced red onion and fresh cilantro, all melted together with shredded cheese inside a crispy flour tortilla.

Cooking on the stovetop creates a golden-brown exterior while the cheese melts perfectly, making it a flavorful and satisfying meal option.

The quesadillas can be served with a variety of dips like ranch, sour cream, or salsa to suit different tastes. The recipe is flexible, allowing substitutions such as shredded meat or beans, and offers a quick, easy lunch or snack that appeals to both kids and adults.

These BBQ Chicken Tostadas feature shredded chicken tossed in tangy barbecue sauce, layered on crispy corn tortillas, and topped with melted cheese. The combination creates a flavorful, quick meal that can be ready in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

The recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be adapted to be dairy-free by using plant-based cheese. It offers flexibility with toppings and variations, allowing you to customize the dish with different cheeses, barbecue sauces, or garnishes like scallions, salsa, and sour cream.

This oven roasted BBQ chicken features tender, juicy chicken breasts seasoned with a simple blend of spices and coated in a thick, sticky BBQ sauce. The chicken is roasted at a high temperature, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a flavorful glaze that enhances every bite.

Preparation involves seasoning the chicken with olive oil and spices before roasting, then brushing on BBQ sauce in stages to build layers of flavor. The method ensures even cooking and a delicious result that pairs well with a variety of side dishes for a satisfying family meal.

This BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken, pasta, cheese, and a flavorful mix of BBQ sauce and ranch dressing into a baked dish that’s both hearty and comforting.

It includes ingredients like bacon, corn, diced green chiles, and Rotel tomatoes, creating a rich, savory meal that can feed a family or a group.

The casserole is versatile, allowing for different types of pasta or meats according to preference. It bakes quickly at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

This item features bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a crunchy, seasoned cornflake breading and baked until golden and crisp. The chicken is then tossed in a sticky, tangy honey BBQ sauce that clings to the crispy coating, creating a flavorful and juicy snack or meal option.

The recipe offers a simple way to enjoy a classic popcorn chicken with a homemade twist, avoiding frying by baking the chicken instead. It works well as a game day snack, appetizer, or a quick dinner served alongside sides like sweet potato fries or a fresh salad.

This baked BBQ chicken breast is coated in a flavorful blend of spices and a tangy, sweet BBQ sauce, then baked until juicy and caramelized. It offers a protein-rich, gluten-free meal that can be customized with low-sugar or homemade BBQ sauce options.

The recipe allows for simple meal prep with a short hands-on time and flexible cooking choices, including substituting chicken thighs or adding vegetables during baking. It pairs well with a variety of sides like potato wedges, salads, or roasted veggies for a complete, balanced dinner.

This item highlights a method for grilling bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with a flavorful dry rub and a sticky, caramelized BBQ sauce. It emphasizes cooking the chicken over medium heat to achieve juicy, tender meat with crispy, well-glazed skin while avoiding flare-ups and burning.

The process involves seasoning the thighs with spices, grilling them carefully to develop grill marks, and applying BBQ sauce toward the end to prevent charring. It also stresses the importance of cooking chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165°F for optimal taste and food safety.

Oven-baked BBQ chicken wings offer a flavorful and milder alternative to traditional buffalo wings. The wings are coated in a seasoned flour mixture, baked until crispy, then tossed in a sweet honey barbecue sauce and baked again to achieve a sticky, caramelized finish.

This method creates wings that are perfect for parties, game nights, or casual dinners, appealing to both kids and adults. Serving them with classic sides like ranch or blue cheese dip, fries, or a fresh salad completes a satisfying meal.

This item demonstrates how to prepare juicy BBQ chicken breasts quickly using an air fryer. The chicken is seasoned with a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, then coated with BBQ sauce for a flavorful finish.

The air fryer cooks the chicken evenly in under 20 minutes, making it a convenient option for weeknight meals or meal prep. Leftover chicken can be stored for several days, providing a versatile protein to add to salads, sandwiches, or bowls throughout the week.

This item features a recipe for Hawaiian BBQ chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, chicken broth, fresh ginger, and garlic.

The chicken is soaked overnight to absorb the sweet and savory marinade, then grilled to achieve a juicy interior and caramelized exterior.

The recipe encourages pairing the grilled chicken with sides like rice, sliced avocado, or grilled pineapple for a tropical meal experience. It also offers tips on storage and reheating, making it convenient for meal prep or entertaining guests.

These baked BBQ chicken tenders are seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and salt before being baked and brushed with BBQ sauce for a flavorful finish. They offer a simple, kid-friendly dinner option that combines tender chicken with a smoky, tangy glaze.

The recipe involves marinating the chicken in oil and spices, baking it until nearly cooked, then adding BBQ sauce and finishing in the oven. These tenders pair well with salads, vegetables, or potatoes for a complete meal.

This item features a recipe for tender and juicy baked BBQ chicken breasts, prepared with a flavorful dry rub and finished with a caramelized barbecue sauce glaze.

The chicken is coated in olive oil and a blend of spices, then baked at a high temperature to lock in moisture before being broiled with BBQ sauce for a sticky, sweet finish.

The process includes simple steps to ensure the chicken reaches the perfect internal temperature while staying moist and flavorful. It also offers tips for using bone-in chicken, storing leftovers, and choosing or making barbecue sauce to complement the dish.

This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken cooked quickly with minimal prep. The chicken is pressure cooked in a mixture of BBQ sauce, chicken broth, and seasonings, then shredded and mixed with additional sauce for a juicy, saucy finish.

The dish is versatile and can be served in sandwiches, wraps, over rice, or as a topping for nachos. It works well with either chicken breasts or thighs and can even be made from frozen chicken, making it a convenient option for busy meals.

These BBQ chicken roll-ups combine shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, mozzarella cheese, and thinly sliced red onions wrapped in pizza dough. They cook quickly in an air fryer, resulting in a crispy exterior with a melty, flavorful filling inside.

The roll-ups are sized for a few bites, making them suitable as appetizers or a light meal. Using parchment paper in the air fryer prevents filling from leaking, while a final cheese topping melts to add extra richness.

This BBQ Chicken Pizza features a crispy homemade crust topped with tangy barbecue sauce, shredded rotisserie chicken, mozzarella cheese, red onions, and fresh cilantro. The pizza is baked until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal in about 25 minutes.

The recipe allows for easy preparation by pre-baking the dough before adding toppings, and it can be made ahead of time for convenience. Additional toppings like pineapple, bacon, or jalapeños can be added to customize the flavor to your liking.

This recipe features baked BBQ chicken breasts made with just three simple ingredients: chicken, barbecue sauce, and garlic. The chicken turns out tender and juicy, with a flavorful coating of sauce that can be customized with sweet, spicy, or tangy additions.

Preparation involves marinating the chicken before baking it uncovered at a high temperature until fully cooked. Leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen, making this dish convenient for meal prep and versatile enough to use in sandwiches, salads, or wraps.

This recipe creates crispy, oven-baked BBQ chicken using only two main ingredients: chicken and barbecue sauce. The chicken is roasted with a simple seasoning of oil, salt, and pepper, then basted multiple times with BBQ sauce to build a thick, sticky glaze.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces are recommended for juiciness and tenderness, with thighs and drumsticks being ideal. Broiling at the end helps achieve a crispy, charred skin, while cooking on a rack allows air circulation to keep the chicken from sitting in its juices.

This baked BBQ chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender meat with a crispy, caramelized skin that mimics the flavors of outdoor grilling. The chicken is seasoned with a simple dry rub before baking, then coated with BBQ sauce in two stages to build rich, smoky layers of flavor.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs are recommended to enhance taste and retain moisture during cooking. The process is straightforward, requiring minimal prep time and resulting in a satisfying meal with a perfectly balanced texture and bold BBQ taste.

These oven BBQ chicken breasts feature bone-in, skin-on pieces rubbed with a simple barbecue seasoning blend and baked to juicy tenderness. Near the end of cooking, the chicken is brushed with a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce and broiled briefly to create a flavorful, charred finish.

The recipe uses basic ingredients and straightforward steps, making it easy to prepare for a weeknight meal. It pairs well with classic Southern sides like baked beans, coleslaw, or cornbread, offering a satisfying and balanced dinner option.

These Bourbon Maple BBQ Chicken Skewers feature tender chicken thighs coated in a rich, smoky sauce made from bourbon, maple syrup, and a blend of spices.

The skewers are grilled to achieve a crispy, charred exterior while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful.

The recipe offers a straightforward way to prepare a crowd-pleasing summer dish that balances sweetness and heat. Wooden skewers should be soaked beforehand to prevent burning, and the chicken is cooked evenly by turning frequently on a medium-high grill.