Description
This mouthwatering BBQ chicken recipe features juicy, bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks perfectly seasoned with a blend of spices and brown sugar, then cooked to perfection either on the grill or in the oven. The chicken is basted with tangy BBQ sauce for a flavorful, caramelized finish that’s sure to satisfy your craving for smoky, sweet barbecue flavors.
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
Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Dry the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry thoroughly using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the spice rub adhere better and results in crispier skin.
- Prepare Spice Rub: In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create a balanced sweet and smoky seasoning blend.
- Coat Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss well until all sides are evenly covered with the spice mixture for maximum flavor infusion.
- Massage with Olive Oil and Rest: Drizzle the olive oil over the spiced chicken and massage the rub into the meat gently. Allow the chicken to rest for 30 minutes so the flavors can penetrate the skin and meat.
- Grill – Initial Sear: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down directly over the heat and grill for 5-6 minutes to crisp the skin and develop grill marks.
- Grill – Indirect Cooking: Flip the chicken and move it to a cooler part of the grill (indirect heat). Continue cooking for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Oven Method – Sear: For oven cooking, first sear the chicken in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side to brown the skin and lock in juices.
- Oven Method – Bake: Transfer the skillet or the seared chicken to a preheated oven at 400°F and bake for 20 minutes.
- Apply BBQ Sauce: In the final 5 minutes of cooking (grill or oven), brush the chicken generously with BBQ sauce and let it caramelize for rich flavor and glossy finish.
- Finish Cooking: Flip the chicken and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes to caramelize the second side.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving; this allows juices to redistribute for moist, tender meat.
Notes
- For optimal flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- You can use any favorite BBQ sauce for the basting step.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- If using an oven, consider placing the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet for even heat circulation.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to retain moisture.
