Description
This Grilled Kansas City BBQ Chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts marinated in a sweet and smoky brown sugar and spice rub, grilled to perfection and finished with a tangy BBQ sauce glaze. Perfect for outdoor cookouts or a flavorful weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers classic Kansas City BBQ flavors with a simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 Tbsp packed brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
Finishing Sauce
- â…“ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the spice rub: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly mixed to create a flavorful dry rub.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag, add the spice rub mixture, seal the bag tightly, and shake well to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours and up to overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the bag and preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF, turning as needed to cook evenly on both sides.
- Apply BBQ sauce: While grilling, brush the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce on each side before removing from the grill to add a tangy, sticky glaze.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to retain juiciness and allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165ºF internal temperature.
- Choose your favorite Kansas City style BBQ sauce for authentic flavor.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
- For a smoky flavor, use charcoal or wood chips when grilling.
