Easy grilled BBQ chicken. With a brine that keeps the chicken juicy and homemade BBQ sauce, this easy grilled BBQ chicken is the perfect dish when breaking out the grill. Grilling on the 4th of July is an American tradition. Of course I don’t need a holiday to grill but am always looking for an excuse to try something new.
Since I got my charcoal grill a few years ago, I’ve always thought about making BBQ chicken but have always chosen something else for a variety of reasons. One recipe that caught my eye was Tyler Florence’s BBQ chicken. I’ve made a few of his dishes and they always taste outstanding. Usually the issue with his recipes though, is they have a ton of ingredients, which I normally try to avoid when making dinner. This BBQ chicken recipe is on the short end for ingredients (at least for him) and couldn’t be easier.
What really makes the difference here with this easy BBQ chicken recipe is the homemade BBQ sauce. Yes you could just use pre-made like Sweet Baby Ray’s but it’s actually very simple to make and uses ingredients most people have in their pantry.
One thing I questioned at first was not cooking the entire chicken in the grill, but putting it in the oven with the sauce coated over it allows for a deep caramelization that adds great flavor. So give this tasty and easy BBQ chicken recipe a try. Hope you enjoy!
Other grill recipes you might like:
Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
Brine
- 2 quarts water
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 skin-on chicken breasts
BBQ Sauce
- 1 slice bacon
- 1 bunch fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, salt, sugar, garlic and thyme. Transfer the brine to a 2 gallon ziplock bag and add chicken. Marinate in fridge for 2 hours.
- While chicken is marinating, make the BBQ sauce. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat in large saucepan. Wrap bacon around bunch of thyme and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to render the bacon fat. Add onion and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes or until onion starts to get translucent. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring to incorporate. Simmer on low for 20 minutes. Remove bacon and thyme bunch. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375F. Preheat grill to medium heat. Wipe grate with oil to make sure chicken doesn't stick when you cook it. Take chicken out of brine and pat down with paper towel. Cook chicken on each side on direct heat for 5 minutes each until you get grill marks. Place chicken on baking sheet and cook in oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and coat every piece of chicken with BBQ sauce. Place back in oven and cook for another 25 to 30 minutes, coating again in sauce halfway through. Serve immediately.
Leave a Reply