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From crispy wings to spatchcock, the best BBQ chicken to buy for your grill this summer
Our tasting panel tried 14 new chicken mains to find the best
Tested by Joanna AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
There’s more to barbecues than burgers and hot dogs (although we've tried those too, of course). As part of our annual BBQ taste test, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been busy tasting the best chicken mains for grilling this summer, trying out a range of different cuts from the big supermarkets and independent retailers.
Whether you prefer spicy wings, a chargrilled chicken flattie served with salad and sauces, or a juicy marinated mini fillet, this is a versatile main that deserves a seat at the table.
Featuring a variety of spices, rubs, sauces and marinades, these are the products guaranteed to bring the flavour this BBQ season.
Best BBQ chicken for summer 2025
You’ll find our experts’ full verdicts below, but these are their top-rated picks at a glance:
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Read on for more BBQ winners: Best burgers | Best sausages | Best kebabs | Best ribs | Best steak | Best meat-free burgers | Best meat-free sausages | Best hot sauce | Best ice cream
How we test BBQ chicken
Our panel of experts munched their way through 14 chicken mains. They were looking for juicy, buttery meat with crispy, golden skin. Any additional spices, marinades and sauces needed to be punchy and fragrant, and reflective of their description, without overwhelming the flavour of the chicken itself.
Score: 86/100
These top-rated wings are beautifully seasoned with nutty parmesan, garlic, dried herbs, lemon and black pepper. They have a moist, tender texture that got a big thumbs up from our panel.
Waitrose Middle Eastern Inspired Chicken Thighs with Amba Sauce 635g
Score: 83/100
With notes of turmeric, cinnamon and garlic, our testers loved the balance of sweet honey and lemon acidity from these chicken thighs. Soft and juicy, they would be delicious served with flatbreads and drizzled with the Middle Eastern-inspired amba sauce (made from pickled green mango).
Score: 82/100
We’re delighted to see online butcher Farmison is now stocked at Ocado, making it even easier to get our free-range chicken fix. Succulent and juicy, this half chicken is ideal for sharing, and the Thai-style marinade – with notes of ginger, turmeric and lemongrass – is subtle, allowing the quality of the meat to shine.
Score: 82/100
The hot honey trend shows no signs of slowing down, and Morrisons has used the sweet and spicy condiment to add a sticky glaze to these generously sized wings. With a mild heat and deliciously moist texture, they're a must-order for the grill this summer.
Score: 80/100
Co-op's mini fillets are ideal for sharing, combining a lovely, charred BBQ texture with a super juicy middle. Mildly spicy with a smoky Cajun note, they’d be delicious piled into wraps or served on top of salad.
Field & Flower Garlic & Herb Flat-Iron Chicken 1kg
Score: 77/100
If you really want to impress guests, this flat-iron chicken won’t disappoint. Testers liked the strong flavours of salty, roasted garlic.
The texture was also a highlight, with the herby rub giving the chicken a nice crunch. Pair with your favourite sauces and sides for an impressive BBQ centrepiece.
Score: 75/100
These chicken breasts have been flattened for super quick cooking – perfect for the grill. They’re generously coated in a classic sweet and smoky BBQ marinade, and the meat was oh-so-succulent.
Score: 73/100
This spatchcocked poussin really does live up to its “salt and pepper” description, so it’s one for those who love bold seasoning.
Succulent with crispy skin, this is another impressive centrepiece for sharing with family and friends.
Score: 72/100
Tender, juicy and bursting with flavour, this chicken breast has a distinctive tikka marinade that most of our testers recognised immediately. The rich, sweet tikka sauce is packed with zesty lemon, garlic and tomato. Team with rice, salad or wraps for a versatile mid-week meal.
Score: 72/100
With light notes of creamy coconut, sweet mango and earthy turmeric, this lean chicken breast is coated in a mild, family-friendly marinade, and the thin cut makes it a speedy solution for the barbecue (or in the air fryer, if the weather isn't playing ball!).
Iceland Extra Thin Garlic & Herb Chicken Sizzle Steaks 450g
Score: 70/100
Get your sizzle on with Iceland’s quick-cooking chicken steaks. The meat had a balanced sweet garlic flavour and achieved a good, charred exterior – just be sure not to overcook.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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