Classic BBQ chicken with glossy sauce glaze, perfectly smoked
BBQ Classic

Classic BBQ Chicken

Slow-smoked perfection with layers of mop sauce, finished with a glossy BBQ glaze. Nostalgic BBQ at its best.

Total Time
2-3 hours
Serves
4-8
Difficulty: Easy

Why This Recipe Works

Classic BBQ chicken is one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table. It's simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, especially when made on a smoker or a grill set up for indirect heat.

Slow smoke, steady heat, and a good mop sauce create chicken that's deeply seasoned, beautifully glazed, and unbelievably juicy. It's nostalgic BBQ at its best, elevated with just a few techniques.

What Makes This BBQ Chicken Special

Mop Sauce Layers Flavor All Cook Long

Brushing the chicken every 20 minutes builds complexity and creates a deep, smoky, tangy exterior

Perfectly Smoked to Temperature

Cooking to the proper internal temps guarantees juicy white meat and tender, flavorful dark meat

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 to 2 whole chickens, cut into parts
  • Or use drumsticks, thighs, or leg quarters
  • Skin on is essential
  • All-purpose seasoning (like Killer Hogs A.P. Seasoning)
  • Your favorite BBQ rub (optional)

Mop Sauce Base

  • Use any of the mop sauce recipes provided below
  • Reserve clean, untouched BBQ sauce for finishing

4 mop sauce options detailed at the bottom of this recipe

Instructions

1

Prepare the Chicken

Cut the whole chicken into parts.

Technique Reference:

See our technique page on how to break down a whole chicken.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

Season generously with all-purpose seasoning.

Add a BBQ rub if desired.

2

Preheat the Smoker or Grill

Set up for indirect heat at 275°F.

Good wood choices are hickory, oak, apple, or cherry.

3

Start Smoking the Chicken

Place the chicken skin side up on the smoker.

Smoke until the breast reaches 155°F internal temperature.

Mop the chicken every 20 minutes throughout this stage:

  • Flip the chicken each time before basting
  • Brush generously with warm mop sauce
BBQ chicken early in the cook after first couple of mop sauce bastings

Chicken early in the cook, just after the first couple of mop sauce bastings

Applying mop sauce to BBQ chicken with a brush

Brushing the chicken generously with warm mop sauce every 20 minutes

Pro Tip: Keep the Mop Sauce Warm

Heat the mop sauce to around 150°F and keep it warm on an induction burner or side burner. Warm mop sauce helps maintain cooking temperature.

4

Switch to BBQ Sauce for the Finish

Once the breast reaches 155°F, switch from mop sauce to warm BBQ sauce.

Flip and baste every 10 to 15 minutes.

Continue cooking until the internal temps reach:

  • Breast: 165°F
  • Dark meat: 175°F

The warm BBQ sauce will set into a glossy, flavorful glaze.

BBQ chicken with glossy BBQ sauce glaze near the end of cooking

Chicken near the end of cooking with the glossy BBQ sauce glaze setting in

5

Rest and Serve

Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

Finished BBQ chicken ready to serve with beautiful glaze

The finished BBQ chicken, rested and ready to serve

Mop Sauce Options

Choose your favorite mop sauce to build flavor throughout the cook. Each brings its own character to the chicken.

1

Classic BBQ Mop Sauce

Flavor: Tangy, slightly sweet, and well balanced

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup Italian dressing
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ rub
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire or W Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 cup water to thin
2

Sweet and Smoky Mop Sauce

Flavor: Sweet, smoky, and bright

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ rub
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
  • 1 cup water
3

Vinegar and Pepper Mop

Flavor: Tangy, peppery, and light (Carolina-style inspired)

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
4

Bold and Savory Mop Sauce

Flavor: Deep, savory, and slightly tangy

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ rub
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup water

Made This Recipe?

We'd love to see your results! Tag us on Instagram @meatsweats303 or share your experience in the comments.

Share on Instagram Send Us Feedback