You have a ton of options when you follow these steps of how to BBQ chicken on a charcoal grill. This is a shown in our Grilling on Charcoal complete guide and is also listed in our Grilling, Main Courses, & Chicken Categories.
Overview of How To BBQ Chicken on a Charcoal Grill
This is how to grill BBQ chicken on a charcoal grill; however, it can be made with or without BBQ sauce. It focuses on chicken with BBQ sauce and includes the timing of when to brush it with the sauce. It also advises approximated times and when to turn chicken pieces over.
So, whether you cook individual chicken pieces, boneless chicken breasts, or a whole chicken/hen, this recipe gives you enough information that you can cook it on a grill and everyone will enjoy your outdoor creation. Also, here’s some additives to BBQ sauce to consider.
How to BBQ Chicken on a Charcoal Grill BY THE PIECE
Chicken legs on charcoal grill
So, if you choose to have chicken drumsticks on the charcoal grill, it will be cooked in about 30-35 minutes.
Chicken leg quarters on charcoal grill
If you choose to have chicken quarters (leg and thigh still joined) on the charcoal grill, it will be cooked in about 35 minutes.
How to BBQ Chicken on a Charcoal Grill Using a WHOLE Chicken
If you want to grill a whole chicken, leave it always on indirect heat. It will be as if you smoke a whole chicken on the charcoal grill but at a higher temp than a smoker. The grill will be covered for the entire duration but lifted to turn over the chicken about every 15 minutes.
You’ll start to brush it with BBQ sauce only after the first 30 minutes (just at the 2nd turn). Eventually, you’ll probably turn it 2 more times (and brush it again each time with BBQ sauce).
Total cook time will be about 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Here’s our article on “How To Keep The Weber Charcoal Grill Hot” while grilling or smoking for an long period of time like this recipe. Also, if you’re grilling a couple of whole chickens, using a rotisserie is a great way. Try this Rotisserie Chicken Recipe on the Grill. Finally, here’s a good article of a “Complete Guide to Using a Weber Kettle with Rotisserie“.
However, if you want to learn, here’s how to cut up a full chicken.
What temp should a charcoal grill be for barbecued chicken?
For these cooking barbecued chicken options, it generally will be about 325°-400°F. This recipe’s times for cooking chicken in the various ways, were done with it averaging about 350°-375°F. You’ll need to extend times if it tends to be lower than that range. Everyone’s grill (and grill type) has a variety of heat temp recovery time whenever the cover is lifted and returned.
With charcoal, you might even need to add some more briquettes (or lumps) during the cooking process. If you discover you’re having poor heat recovery, then you can consider extending the times between lifting the lid. In such cases, you’ll have to combine some of the instructional tasks to adjust for the reducing the number of times you remove the grill’s cover.
Related Grilling Recipes
Here are some other related recipes for the grill.
- Rotisserie Chicken on the Grill
- Chicken on the Grill (no BBQ Sauce)
- How To Grill Chicken on a Weber Grill (by Weber)
- Gyro Chicken on the Grill
- Chicken Fajitas on the Grill
- Southern Ribs on the Charcoal Grill
- Shish Kabobs Grill Recipe
Nutritional Values of Barbecued Chicken
Depending on which chicken pieces are selected, the overall calories are about 730 calories for 2 pieces. More detailed nutritional values are shown in the <Print Recipe> option.
Barbecued Chicken on Grill Recipe
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Ingredients
- 5 lbs chicken
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Prepare grill and start preheating. Put raw chicken pieces in large mixing bowl.5 lbs chicken
- Add spice ingredients and soy sauce to chicken and mix thoroughly to coat all pieces1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 Tbsp onion powder, ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper, 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- On the approximately 375°-500°F heated grill, place the chicken pieces on indirect heat, and cover grill. Regular cooking temp will be about 325°-400°F. Adjust timings accordingly. Turn in 15 minutes and cover. In 15 more minutes, turn all pieces again, placing breasts on direct heat. Brush all pieces with BBQ sauce, and cover grill but watch closely. Turn breasts every 4-7 minutes until done, usually after 2nd or 3rd turn. Brush all pieces with BBQ sauce again about 10 minutes before breasts are done.
- Remove chicken pieces from grill and put into large bowl or sheet pan for serving.
