Our Favorite BBQ Chicken Recipes

By Southern Living Editors

Updated May 25, 2021

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

From the grill in the summer to the slow cooker in the winter, BBQ chicken can be enjoyed year-round. You can serve chicken with a classic Alabama white BBQ sauce, a spicy red sauce, or your favorite store-bought brand. We've rounded up our favorite BBQ chicken recipes to show the many different ways you can serve this delicious combo, from pizza to sandwiches to kabobs. There are plenty of ways to prepare BBQ chicken, from your new Instant Pot to your trusty slow cooker and grill. These BBQ chicken recipes are budget-friendly, easy, and kid-friendly.

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Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Cooking chicken low and slow will help it fall off the bone with no effort.

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Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis

Recipe: Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas

This 20-minute pizza will be on your table faster than delivery.

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Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Replace the 1 pound pulled pork this recipe calls for with chicken for an easy dinner the whole family will enjoy.

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Spiced Molasses BBQ Chicken Thighs

Credit: Max Kelly

Recipe: Spiced Molasses BBQ Chicken Thighs

An easy homemade BBQ glaze adds extra flavor to these grilled chicken thighs.

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Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken

Homemade BBQ sauce and tender chicken will make your family think you spent all day in the kitchen, but this recipe only takes a few minutes of hands-on time to prepare.

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Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Honey Barbecue Sauce

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Honey Barbecue Sauce

This lightened-up homemade barbecue sauce is the ideal condiment for those trying to avoid sugar-filled sauces from the grocery store.

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Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

Recipe: Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

Sweet and sticky, this simple baked chicken recipe will be a hit with adults and kids at the table.

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BBQ Chicken Pizza

Credit: Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Recipe: BBQ Chicken Pizza

If you tell the family barbecue is for dinner, they’ll be thrilled. If you tell the family pizza is for dinner, they’ll be thrilled. BBQ pizza? Consider yourself the favorite family member.