Description
This mouthwatering BBQ chicken recipe features juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks coated in a flavorful homemade spice rub, then grilled or oven-cooked to perfection and finished with a caramelized BBQ sauce glaze. Perfect for summer cookouts or a hearty weeknight dinner, this dish delivers tender, smoky, and slightly sweet chicken with a delightful spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Spice Rub
- 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Pat Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken dry to ensure the spice rub adheres well and the skin crisps up during cooking.
- Mix Spice Rub: In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create the spice mixture.
- Coat Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the spice rub.
- Apply Olive Oil and Rest: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and massage it into the meat along with the spices. Let the chicken rest for 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Grill Chicken (Option 1): Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down directly over the heat and cook for 5-6 minutes to sear and crisp the skin.
- Indirect Cooking on Grill: Flip the chicken and move it to indirect heat. Continue grilling for approximately 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Oven Cooking (Option 2): Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Then transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Brush with BBQ Sauce: During the last 5 minutes of cooking, generously brush BBQ sauce over the chicken and allow it to caramelize, creating a sticky glaze.
- Final Glaze: Flip the chicken pieces, brush the other side with BBQ sauce, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to set the sauce.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, consider marinating it overnight with the spice rub and olive oil mixture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for safety and best texture.
- Customize the spice rub by adjusting cayenne pepper for more or less heat according to your taste.
- If grilling, avoid flare-ups by trimming excess fat and keeping a spray bottle of water nearby.
- Serve with classic BBQ sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or corn on the cob for a complete meal.
