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From crispy wings to spatchcock, the best BBQ chicken to buy for your grill this summer
Our tasting panel tried 13 new chicken mains to find the best
Tested by Joanna AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
There’s more to BBQs 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 spatchcock chicken served with salad and sauces, or a juicy thigh, this is a versatile main that deserves a seat at the table.
Flavoured with 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 2026
You’ll find our experts’ full verdicts below, but these are their top-rated picks at a glance:
- 1
Best chicken overall / best spatchcock chicken
Waitrose No.1 BBQ Curried Spatchcock Chicken with Coronation Sauce 1.92kg
Read review - 2
- 3
The Ginger Pig Marinated Spatchcocked Chicken 1.6kg
Read review - 4
- 5
How we test BBQ chicken
Our panel of experts munched their way through 13 chicken mains. They were looking for juicy meat with crispy, golden skin. Any additional spices, marinades and sauces needed to be punchy and fragrant, and live up to their description, without overwhelming the flavour of the chicken itself.
Waitrose No.1 BBQ Curried Spatchcock Chicken with Coronation Sauce 1.92kg
Waitrose No.1 BBQ Curried Spatchcock Chicken with Coronation Sauce 1.92kg
Score: 88/100
Plan your BBQ feast around this impressive spatchcock chicken centrepiece. Testers said the aromatic meat was delicious, and the fruity coronation sauce isn’t overpowering, adding balance to the succulent meat and crispy skin.
Co-op Greek Chicken Breast Sizzle Steaks 350g
Co-op Greek Chicken Breast Sizzle Steaks 350g
Score: 86/100
Create a taste of holiday in the garden with Co-op's Greek-inspired chicken. The steaks are well-seasoned with plenty of lemon, garlic and parsley, and a delicious, charred flavour. Create your own gyro and serve in pita with tzatziki, tomatoes, onions and chips.
The Ginger Pig Marinated Spatchcocked Chicken 1.6kg
The Ginger Pig Marinated Spatchcocked Chicken 1.6kg
Score: 83/100
Give your Sunday roast a summer reset with The Ginger Pig’s spatchcocked chicken. Testers appreciated the charred, crispy skin, while the meat was described as “fresh” and “flavourful”, with an aroma reminiscent of rotisserie chicken. The lemon and herb marinade is bright and fresh – ideal served alongside a creamy potato salad.
Aldi Ashfields Buffalo Chicken Wings 600g
Aldi Ashfields Buffalo Chicken Wings 600g
Score: 81/100
These well-priced wings are beautifully seasoned with a punchy buffalo sauce. The runny glaze has a honeyed sweetness and mild heat, while the meat is so tender, it’s easy to suck the bones clean – earning a big thumbs up from our panel.
Score: 80/100
For wings so tender they fall straight off the bone, look no further. They’re coated in a fiery Cajun-style garlicky marinade and cooked really well – making them a solid choice if you’re feeding a crowd. Serve with cooling ranch to take the edge off.
Summer Grill by ASDA Grill Korean Style BBQ Chicken Wings 900g
Summer Grill by ASDA Grill Korean Style BBQ Chicken Wings 900g
Score: 80/100
Looking to Korea for inspiration, ASDA’s juicy wings are coated in on-trend gochujang paste. The marinade packs a punch, layering chilli and soy with zesty lemon for a fiery heat that really lingers. Not one for the faint-hearted.
Field & Flower Garlic & Herb Flat-Iron Chicken 1kg
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.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Indian Style Chicken Thigh Fillet 400g
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Indian Style Chicken Thigh Fillet 400g
Score: 76/100
If thigh meat is your cut of choice, don’t sleep on these juicy fillets. With notes of cardamon, cloves and cumin, our testers were reminded of a mild, creamy korma. Soft and tender, the fillets would be delicious served with rice or flatbread and drizzled with yoghurt.
Score: 75/100
Lidl's fillets are ideal for sharing – they have a sweet and savoury flavour profile with a light tingle that builds. Mildly spicy with a smoky Cajun note, try them sliced and piled into wraps or served on top of salad.
Gressingham Spatchcock Poussin Salt & Pepper 450g
Gressingham Spatchcock Poussin Salt & Pepper 450g
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 two.
Morrisons New York Style Chicken Breast Steaks with a Jalapeño Relish 370g
Morrisons New York Style Chicken Breast Steaks with a Jalapeño Relish 370g
Score: 70/100
Fire up the grill for this aromatic chicken breast, packed with sweet, slow-cooked tomato, red pepper and dried herbs. While slightly on the dry side, adding the jalapeño relish in the final five minutes brings a welcome fruity kick.
Available 15 July 2026
Read on for more BBQ winners
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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