Quick Italian BBQ Chicken Recipe: Perfect Weekend Grilling Delight

Italian BBQ chicken reinvents ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Vibrant Mediterranean seasonings dance with classic barbecue techniques, creating an unexpected flavor fusion.

Succulent meat absorbs complex marinades that elevate traditional grilling methods.

Summer cookouts demand bold, memorable dishes that spark conversation and delight taste buds.

This recipe bridges cultural cooking styles with remarkable ease and creativity.

Guests will appreciate the harmonious blend of tangy and smoky notes that make this dish irresistible.

Your next gathering deserves a showstopping main course that impresses without complicated preparation.

Why Italian BBQ Chicken Is Packed with Flavor

• Burst with Tangy Fusion: The combination of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and Italian dressing creates a mouthwatering flavor explosion that takes ordinary chicken to extraordinary heights.
• Effortless Grill Master Technique: Simple marinating and grilling steps make this recipe foolproof for both novice and experienced cooks, delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal kitchen stress.
• Protein-Packed Meal Solution: With an impressive 35g of protein per serving, this dish provides a nutritious and satisfying meal that keeps you full and energized throughout the day.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Win: The minimal prep time and straightforward cooking method make this Italian BBQ chicken perfect for busy families looking for a delicious meal that doesn't require hours of kitchen work.

Key Ingredients for Italian BBQ Chicken

• Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce: Classic tangy sauce that adds rich flavor and caramelization to the chicken.
• Italian Dressing: Provides herbal notes and helps tenderize the meat with its acidic base.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs marinade well; choose fresh, boneless cuts for even cooking.

• Vegetable Oil: Prevents chicken from sticking to the grill grates and ensures smooth grilling process.

How to Cook Italian BBQ Chicken the Right Way

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and combine Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce with Italian dressing to create a mouthwatering marinade that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken for Marinating

Place chicken breasts in a large sealable bag or dish, then generously pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every inch gets coated with delicious flavor.

Step 3: Let Flavors Mingle

Tuck the marinating chicken into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the more incredible the flavor becomes.

Step 4: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Cook each chicken piece for about 15 minutes, flipping occasionally. Keep a close eye to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Pro tip: Use a meat thermometer to check doneness and lock in those juicy flavors.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice, plate, and get ready to impress everyone with your grilling skills!

Tips for Juicy and Bold Italian BBQ Chicken

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let the chicken marinate overnight to allow the Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and Italian dressing to deeply penetrate the meat, creating a more intense and complex taste profile.
• Prevent Sticking Technique: Ensure the grill grates are well-oiled and clean before cooking to guarantee easy chicken removal and beautiful grill marks.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, guaranteeing the chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out.
• Rest and Recover: After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and succulent meat.
• Marinade Magic: Reserve a small portion of the marinade before adding raw chicken to use as a final basting sauce or serving drizzle for extra flavor boost.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Italian BBQ Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Italian BBQ chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal the chicken tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain its juicy texture. Refrigerated chicken stays fresh for 3-4 days when properly stored.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Frozen chicken can be stored for up to 3 months without losing quality. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated chicken in the microwave or oven to prevent dryness. For microwave, cover the chicken with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. In the oven, place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Side Dishes That Pair with Italian BBQ Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A zesty pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc cuts through the tangy BBQ sauce, complementing the Italian dressing's herbal notes and refreshing the palate.
• Serve with Rustic Focaccia Bread: Grilled focaccia alongside the BBQ chicken absorbs the savory marinade juices and provides a perfect textural contrast with its crispy edges and soft interior.
• Match with Fresh Caprese Salad: The bright, light tomato and mozzarella salad balances the rich grilled chicken, adding a cool, herbaceous element that echoes the Italian dressing's flavor profile.
• Complement with Roasted Garlic Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary and garlic create a hearty side that stands up to the bold BBQ chicken while maintaining an Italian-inspired taste.

Different Spins on Italian BBQ Chicken

• Herbed Mediterranean Splash: Replace Italian dressing with fresh chopped basil, oregano, and olive oil for a lighter, herb-infused Mediterranean-style marinade.
• Spicy Calabrian Kick: Mix BBQ sauce with spicy Calabrian chili paste and red pepper flakes to create a hot, zesty Southern Italian-inspired chicken variation.
• Balsamic Infusion: Swap Italian dressing with aged balsamic vinegar and garlic, adding depth and tangy complexity to the original BBQ chicken recipe.
• Tuscan Herb Blend: Incorporate dried Italian seasoning, rosemary, and thyme into the marinade for a rustic, aromatic Tuscan-inspired grilled chicken experience.

Italian BBQ Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Italian BBQ chicken brings Mediterranean zest to classic grilled poultry, marrying bold herbs and tangy marinades. Garlic, rosemary, and lemon create a flavor profile that transports you straight to a sunny Italian countryside grill.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Sauces and Dressings:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) Italian dressing

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Instructions

1. Whisk together Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and Italian dressing in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant, tangy marinade that will infuse the chicken with robust Mediterranean and classic barbecue flavors.
2. Transfer chicken breasts into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow ceramic dish, ensuring each piece is completely submerged in the marinade mixture.
3. Refrigerate the marinating chicken for a minimum of 4 hours, or ideally overnight, allowing the complex flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat’s cellular structure.
4. Prepare the outdoor grill by heating it to medium-high temperature (375-400°F or 190-204°C), and lightly brush the grates with olive oil or vegetable oil to prevent chicken from adhering.
5. Position the marinated chicken breasts on the preheated grill, maintaining a consistent cooking surface temperature to promote even caramelization and prevent burning.
6. Grill each chicken breast for approximately 6-8 minutes per side, rotating periodically to achieve attractive crosshatch grill marks and ensure uniform cooking.
7. Verify the chicken’s doneness by using a digital meat thermometer; the internal temperature must reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest portion to guarantee safe consumption.
8. Remove chicken from the grill and let it rest for 3-5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist, tender final result.

Notes

• Elevate your BBQ game with this zesty Italian-inspired chicken recipe that transforms ordinary grilling into a flavor explosion.
• Marinating overnight allows the tangy dressing and sweet BBQ sauce to deeply penetrate the chicken, creating incredibly juicy and tender meat.
• Choose fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best texture and most robust flavor absorption during the marinating process.
• Invest in a reliable meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken without risking undercooking or drying out the meat.
• Experiment with different BBQ sauce varieties or add fresh herbs like basil and oregano to customize the marinade to your taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 4 hours
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 363 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg