Stovetop BBQ Chicken

Stovetop BBQ chicken is a quick and easy recipe that you can make year-round whenever you’re craving BBQ flavor. No need to fire up the grill!

This recipe is my answer to winter BBQ cravings — all the bold, smoky flavor without leaving a warm, cozy kitchen. It’s the kind of dinner I reach for when I want comfort food with big flavor and minimal effort.

You can use either boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, depending on what you have on hand. As it cooks, the BBQ sauce reduces into a thick, sticky glaze that completely coats the chicken in sweet, savory goodness. It’s simple, satisfying, and exactly the kind of meal that hits the spot.

For an oven recipe, try my baked BBQ chicken thighs!

Does BBQ chicken make good leftovers?

Yes! This chicken makes excellent leftovers and will keep well for 3-4 days in your fridge. We like it best sliced cold and served over a simple green salad for a quick and tasty lunch.

But it also reheats well. Just add a little extra BBQ sauce to the pan when you’re reheating it!

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Stovetop BBQ Chicken Recipe

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

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Stovetop BBQ chicken is a quick and easy recipe that you can make year-round whenever you're craving BBQ flavor. No need to fire up the grill! 

4

Ingredients

• ▢ 8 boneless chicken thighs (see notes about how to make this with chicken breast)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
• ▢ ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cooking oil
• ▢ ½ cup bbq sauce

Instructions 

• Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. 
  8 boneless chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook until they start to brown, about 4 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 4 minutes. They should be mostly cooked at this point. If your chicken thighs are very large, you may need to cook them for an additional minute or two.
  2 teaspoons cooking oil
• Lower the heat to medium then pour the BBQ sauce into the pan and mix the chicken around so that all the pieces are well coated. Continue to cook the chicken for 2 minutes more, or until the chicken is cooked and the BBQ sauce is thick. 
  ½ cup bbq sauce

Notes

To make this recipe using 4 chicken breasts instead of the thighs, add ½ cup water or chicken stock to the pan when you add the BBQ sauce. Continue to cook the chicken breasts for 8-10 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and the sauce thickens. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2 chicken thighs, Calories: 576kcal (29%), Carbohydrates: 16g (5%), Protein: 37g (74%), Fat: 40g (62%), Saturated Fat: 10g (63%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 221mg (74%), Sodium: 832mg (36%), Potassium: 551mg (16%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 12g (13%), Vitamin A: 256IU (5%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 32mg (3%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

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