Southern-Style BBQ Grilled Chicken
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I’ve always been captivated by the art of Southern BBQ, beginning with my first taste of my mom’s, grandma’s, and aunt’s soul food recipes from North Carolina. I learned there’s nothing quite like Southern-style BBQ grilled chicken, and it’s hard to match its flavor!
Soul Food BBQ chicken legs on the grill
Southern soul food BBQ chicken is widely popular and is known for its unique flavor that is hard to replicate. Choosing the right ingredients, along with tasty sauces and seasonings like paprika, roasted garlic, and vinegar (if you’re making a homemade BBQ sauce), is essential for achieving that authentic Southern taste.
It’s not just about throwing chicken legs on a grill. It combines tradition, careful seasoning, and precise grilling techniques.
Ingredients
Gathering the ingredients for Southern-style BBQ grilled chicken guarantees a meal that sings with flavor. Specific seasonings like Famous Dave’s rub and Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb heighten the flavor.
Exact measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- 6 chicken pieces or a whole chicken cut – Provide the perfect canvas for a Southern-style grilled BBQ recipe.
- Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken Rub – This thoughtfully crafted seasoning adds a distinctly Southern flair. Its rich complexities elevate poultry to an extraordinary level.
- Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning – This garlic and herb blend offers an inviting aroma, evoking Southern comfort.
- BBQ sauce – Brings it all together, coating each piece in a tangy, sweet embrace that promises to delight with every bite.
Pro tip: If you don’t have the spice blends mentioned above, check out my seasoning guide for chicken HERE.
How to grill Southern BBQ chicken legs
Southern-style grilled BBQ chicken is one of the best meals to enjoy, especially when grilling season arrives each year. This recipe is a must-try, as the meat turns out tender and juicy, complemented by a delightful BBQ sauce. Here’s how to make the best barbecue chicken, like you’d find on a Southern North Carolina grill!
Step-by-step guided instructions with pictures can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Mix the chicken seasoning and rub the seasoning mixture on the chicken.
- Coat the chicken with the BBQ sauce with a basting brush.
- Place the chicken on the grill to cook.
- Halfway through, flip it and coat it with a second brushing of BBQ sauce.
- Continue basting the chicken until done, serve, and enjoy!
When to flip BBQ chicken legs on the grill
When grilling BBQ chicken, you’ll want to cook it for 20 minutes, turning it over halfway through, around the 10-minute mark.
How to know when BBQ chicken is done
You don’t need to be a Southern BBQ grillmaster to know when the chicken is done! Use an instant-read digital meat thermometer inserted near the bone. It should register at least 165 degrees F when the chicken is ready.
The secret to perfectly grilled BBQ chicken
Anyone can spread BBQ sauce on chicken and grill it. However, the secret to Southern-style BBQ grilled chicken lies in the unique seasonings and flavors from generations of my family’s African-American soul food cooks. The key ingredients include garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
What is the difference between grilled chicken and BBQ chicken?
The main difference is the addition of BBQ sauce. Grilled chicken refers to un-sauced chicken cooked on the grill, while BBQ chicken is chicken coated with BBQ sauce and grilled.
What to serve at a Southern BBQ with chicken legs
Grilled chicken legs are a staple at Southern Black BBQs and pair beautifully with a variety of side dishes. Southern coleslaw, Southern potato salad, watermelon salad, and homemade cornbread are standout favorites, encapsulating the essence of Southern soul food cooking.
These choices not only complement the flavors of the chicken rub and BBQ sauce but also add a colorful contrast to the plate. They invite family and friends to gather and share in the joy of a homemade BBQ, making every bite a celebration of Southern summer cuisine!
Equipment
- Outdoor grill
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken or 6 chicken pieces
- 2 tablespoons seasoning salt Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken Seasoning or similar (it contains soulful flavors such as paprika, mustard seed, garlic powder, onion powder, bell pepper, and lemon zest all in one!). You can also check out my seasoning guide for chicken HERE.
- 2 tablespoons garlic & herb seasoning Weber Seasoning Roasted Garlic & Herb, or similar
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce My homemade BBQ sauce recipe HERE.
- 1 cup BBQ sauce Reserve: To continue basting the chicken.
Instructions
- Mix the chicken seasoning and garlic & herb seasoning in a small bowl.
- Rub the seasoning mixture on the chicken pieces to coat them.
- Then, coat the chicken with the BBQ sauce using a basting brush.
- Preheat the outdoor grill to medium heat, lightly oil the grate, and place the chicken on the grill.
- Cook the chicken pieces on the grill until brown, usually about 3 to 5 minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Turn off one burner of the grill and move the chicken to the cooler side, away from direct heat, while maintaining the grill temperature between 300 and 350 degrees F.
- Grill the chicken for 20 minutes, turning it over halfway through, around the 10-minute mark.
- Use the reserved BBQ sauce to coat the chicken with a second brushing of sauce.
- Continue grilling, basting every 10 minutes, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the juices run clear, for about 20 to 25 minutes.
- To ensure the chicken is safe to eat, use an instant-read digital meat thermometer inserted near the bone. It should read at least 165 degrees F.
- Serve this Southern-style BBQ grilled chicken recipe right away, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Thank you for sharing an easy Southern BBQ grilled chicken recipe.