Grilled BBQ Chicken on a Gas Grill: Nail Every Barbecue with This Recipe (All Tips Included)

Grilled BBQ Chicken on a Gas Grill: Nail Every Barbecue with This Recipe (All Tips Included)

I’m Taz, the voice behind Cooking Horizon, where I share recipes from around the world and little slices of life as I go. If you’re into simple, flavor-packed dishes that make you look like a grill master, you’re in the right place.

Today, we’re diving into a go-to classic: grilled BBQ chicken on a gas grill. This one’s juicy, tender, and packed with bold flavor—plus it’s easier than you think. Whether you're hosting your first backyard barbecue or just want something satisfying for dinner, this recipe’s a winner.

What You’ll Need:

  • 6 chicken leg quarters (skinless, cleaned, and ready to go)

  • Water & salt for brining

  • Ground sea salt

  • Fresh black pepper

  • Onion powder (optional, but flavorful)

  • Olive oil cooking spray

  • Your favorite BBQ sauce

  • A touch of butter, garlic, mustard, and chili sauce for the magic in the glaze

Pro Tip: You can find the full ingredient list and extra notes at the end of this article.

Step-by-Step: Grilling the Perfect BBQ Chicken

Step 1: Brine for Maximum Juiciness

Start with a simple brine: dissolve a generous amount of salt into 1,500 ml of water. Carefully place your chicken pieces into the mix and make sure they’re fully submerged. Then cover and let it chill in the fridge—at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can.

Step 2: Dry & Season

About 30 minutes before grilling, pull the chicken out and drain off the brine. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels and lay them on a baking sheet. Then season both sides with ground sea salt, black pepper, and a bit of onion powder for an extra flavor boost.

Step 3: Preheat & Sear

Spray your grill grates with olive oil cooking spray and crank the heat to high—think 500°F—which takes about 10–15 minutes. Place the chicken over the right-hand side burners for direct heat searing, and close the lid.

  • Sear for 4 minutes, then flip.

  • Sear the other side for another 4 minutes.

Step 4: Slow Roast Over Indirect Heat

Turn off the right and middle burners. Leave only the left burner on to create indirect heat. Shift the chicken to this cooler side of the grill and close the lid again.

  • Cook for 15 minutes, flip, and repeat for another 15 minutes.

Step 5: The Secret Sauce

While the chicken’s grilling, whip up a quick BBQ glaze. In a small pot over medium-low heat:

  1. Melt 1 tbsp of butter.

  2. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves.

  3. Add your BBQ sauce of choice.

  4. Stir in ½ tsp chili sauce and ¼ tsp mustard.

Let it warm gently, then take it off the heat once it’s combined.

Step 6: Baste & Finish Strong

Baste the chicken with that beautiful sauce, close the lid, and cook for 12 minutes. Flip, baste the other side, and cook for another 12 minutes.

To get that final bit of char and caramelization, turn all burners on and cook directly over the flame for 2 more minutes per side. That’s where the magic happens!

Done in Just Over an Hour

And there you have it—grilled BBQ chicken that’s juicy on the inside, lightly charred on the outside, and absolutely packed with flavor. Serve it up hot and watch it disappear.

Don’t forget to drop by my YouTube channel, Cooking Horizon by Taz, for the full video walkthrough and lots more recipes to try at home. Like, comment, and share if you found this helpful—thanks so much for reading, and happy grilling!

Ingredients Recap:

  • 6 chicken leg quarters

  • 1,500 ml water + generous salt (for brine)

  • Ground sea salt

  • Fresh black pepper

  • Onion powder (optional)

  • Olive oil cooking spray

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1¼ cups BBQ sauce

  • ½ tsp chili sauce

  • ¼ tsp mustard

Be sure to check out my youtube channel.