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Mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Coat Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the spice rub.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.