BBQ Chicken

Want to know how to grill up the best tasting BBQ Chicken?  Then look no further than my simple technique that will guarantee tender and juicy meat. Make a homemade BBQ sauce to add flavor and you have a winning summer dish.  It doesn’t have to be complicated, simple is better.

If you like a grilled whole chicken, try my grilled spatchcock chicken with a homemade chimichurri sauce or Dr. Pepper chicken drumsticks!

Ingredient List for the perfect BBQ Chicken.

• Chicken: Use a whole chicken and spatchcock it for an even cook all around.

• Ketchup: this is the base for any tomato based BBQ sauce.

• Yellow mustard: provide acidy and tanginess to the sauce.

• Honey: adds natural sweetness and shine.

• Brown sugar: adds caramelization to the sauce when brushed on meats.

• Molasses: adds a sweet and smokey flavor to the sauce.

• Apple cider vinegar: creates a tangy balance to the sweetness from the brown sugar and molasses.

• Hot sauce: adds a little kick and breaks up the sweetness of the sauce. Adjust heat levels to your liking.

• Worcestershire sauce: adds a savory and umami flavor the BBQ sauce.

• All Purpose seasoning: adds savoriness and BBQ flavors like smoked paprika to the sauce.

Step 1: How to spatchcock a BBQ chicken.

To start, cut out the backbone from the chicken with sheers or a sharp knife. This process of spatchcocking or butterflying will allow the chicken to cook more evenly and quickly. Press down hard on the breast bone to break it so the chicken can lay nice and flat. I like to use a little olive oil or cooking spray for the binder. This will allow the seasoning to stick better to the chicken. Cover the outside generously with Dad’s All Purpose rub. 

Step 2: Make homemade BBQ sauce.

Once you make your first BBQ sauce, there is no going back to store bought options.  Best of all, you can modify the spice or sweetness levels to your liking. It’s fast and easy to make a large batch and save for later or enjoy all week long!

This sauce is going to be the perfect compliment to the grilled BBQ chicken!

In a sauce pan, add ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, honey, molasses, Dad’s All Purpose rub, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and hot sauce.

Simmer on the store top over low heat until the sauce starts to thicken. Be sure to whisk it every few minutes to ensure nothing burns to the bottom. You want to make sure that all the ingredients are well incorporated together.

Once the sauce is done, brush it on your smoked beer can chicken, dunk grilled chicken lollipops into the sticky BBQ sauce or add it as a condiment on your favorite grilled burger.

Step 2: How to store leftover BBQ sauce.

One of the benefits of making BBQ sauce at home is you can make it in advance. I like to store my sauce in air tight mason jars. Simply pour the sauce in the jar, close the top and pop it in the fridge. Store the Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy your labor of love every day for lunch and dinner. This is also a great holiday gift idea for those foodies in your family or the avid BBQ’er.

Step 3: How to grill the best BBQ Chicken.

Preheat the grill to 375 degrees and set it for indirect heat.  Place the chicken skin side up and cook until the breast registers an internal temperature of 155 degrees. Brush the entire chicken with the homemade BBQ sauce and let it caramelize on the skin before removing from the grill. 

Once the BBQ chicken’s internal temperature registers 165 degrees, it is fully cooked.  Total cook time should be around 45 minutes depending on the side of the bird. Remove it from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This is a very important step in this process. During the rest period, the chicken will start to cool down and the cooking process will stop. The juices will redistribute inside the meat, giving you a much better final product. Enjoy!

If you are looking for flavorful chicken recipes then try my grilled spicy bang bang chicken skewers or the sweet hawaiian huli huli chicken thighs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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Smoked Beer Can Chicken

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Grilled Chicken Lollipops

Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty ideas!