Chicken on the BBQ — Recipes, Rubs & Technique

Chicken is the most popular BBQ meat in the Netherlands — and for good reason. It's versatile, cooks quickly, and pairs with almost any rub. From crispy chicken wings to a whole chicken low & slow — on this page, you'll find everything: which rub to choose, recipes by style, and technical tips for juicy chicken with a perfect bark.

Which dry rub goes well with chicken?

Chicken is the most versatile choice — almost any rub works. But these six are our top picks, each with its own character:

  • Jamaican Jerk — spicy, aromatic, Caribbean. The classic chicken rub. Perfect on wings and drumsticks. 7,020 SHU.
  • Korean BBQ Rub — sweet, fruity, slightly spicy. Irresistible on chicken wings and thighs.
  • Shawarma — warm, aromatic, Middle Eastern. Delicious on a whole grilled chicken or chicken thighs.
  • Toscana Fire — fennel, smoke, Italian. Surprisingly good on chicken with a crispy bark.
  • Tex-Mex — cumin, chili, smoky. Strong on chicken breast and chicken thighs.
  • Memphis BBQ Rub — sweet-smoky, classic. Works on everything — the safe choice for beginners.

→ Our top 3 rubs for chicken — extensively compared
→ Complete overview: which rub goes with which meat?

🔥 Ready to start? Freshly blended after your order — choose your rubs and get started right away.

→ 3-Evening Pack — 3 rubs of your choice   → View all rubs

Recipes: BBQ chicken by style

🍗 Chicken wings & drumsticks

Wings and drumsticks are the fastest and easiest BBQ chicken. High heat, short cooking time, maximum flavor. Perfect for a party or as a snack.

🍿 Chicken thighs & chicken breast

Chicken thighs are juicier than chicken breast and are more forgiving — ideal for beginners. Chicken breast cooks faster but dries out quicker. Always use a meat thermometer.

🐔 Whole chicken on the BBQ

A whole chicken on the BBQ is impressive and surprisingly easy. Use indirect heat and a meat thermometer. The Shawarma and Carolina Gold rubs are particularly good for this.

🥙 Chicken kebab & pulled chicken

For a longer BBQ session or meal prep, pulled chicken is ideal. Chicken kebab is quick, festive, and perfect for large groups.

→ View all BBQ recipes

Chicken on the BBQ without a garden

No BBQ? Chicken works excellent in the oven, grill pan, and air fryer. Air-fried chicken wings are even crispier than grilled ones.

→ BBQ without a garden — oven, grill pan & air fryer

Technical tips for chicken on the BBQ

Core temperatures for chicken

  • Chicken breast: 74°C internal — no further, otherwise it dries out
  • Chicken thigh (with bone): 80–85°C internal — slightly higher than breast for tender meat
  • Chicken wings & drumsticks: 80–85°C internal
  • Whole chicken: 80–82°C internal at the thickest part of the thigh (avoid touching the bone)

→ Chicken Core Temperature — complete guide per chicken type
→ How to measure core temperature? Practical guide
→ Chicken on the BBQ: how long and at what temperature?

Direct vs. indirect heat

  • Direct heat (above the coals): for wings, drumsticks, and thin chicken breasts. High temperature, short time.
  • Indirect heat (next to the coals, lid closed): for whole chicken, thick chicken thighs, and low & slow. Lower temperature, longer time.
  • Combination: start indirect, finish direct for a crispy bark — the best method for chicken thighs.

The 5 most common mistakes with BBQ chicken

→ 5 mistakes with BBQ chicken (and how to avoid them)

Marinating or dry rub?

A dry rub creates a crispy bark — a marinade adds juiciness but no bark. Combine them: marinate first, pat dry, then apply the rub.

→ Marinating chicken: how long and with what?
→ Chicken rub: which herbs work best?

BBQ temperature for chicken

→ Complete guide: BBQ temperatures & cooking times

New to BBQ chicken?

→ Read our beginner's guide: New to BBQ Rubs? Start here

Which rub do you want to try?

Still unsure which rub to choose for your next chicken session? Our packs are the perfect way to discover multiple flavors:

  • 3-Evening Pack — 3 sachets of 50g of your choice. For example, combine Jamaican Jerk, Korean, and Shawarma.
  • Starter Pack — 3 sachets of 100g of your choice. For those who cook chicken more often.

→ Don't know which rub suits your chicken yet? Use the selection guide.