Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Smoky Texas BBQ Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

Juicy grilled chicken breasts seasoned with a bold Cajun spice rub paired with a smoky homemade Texas-style BBQ sauce for a flavorful Southern meal. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun spice rub.
2. Step 2: Rub 4 chicken breasts evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil, then coat them thoroughly with the Cajun spice mix. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes.
3. Step 3: While the chicken rests, combine 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp mustard powder, and 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
4. Step 4: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on the preheated grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior has nice grill marks.
5. Step 5: Brush the chicken with the smoky BBQ sauce during the last 2 minutes of grilling on each side to caramelize the glaze. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with extra BBQ sauce on the side.