Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Chicken
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Moist, juicy chicken grilled to perfection with an finger-licking sweet and tangy barbecue sauce…does a summer cook-out get any better? Pair it with your favorite sides and get ready to gather around the table and dig in!
Few dishes can match the universal appeal of barbecue chicken. Whether it’s sizzling on a backyard grill, slow-cooked in a smoker, or baked to perfection in the oven, it delivers mouthwatering flavor with each and every bite. The combination of smoky, charred edges, juicy meat, and a sticky-sweet sauce makes it a favorite at summer cookouts, tailgates, and family dinners alike.
Grilling has been a favorite cooking method for eons because it’s more than just about the food, it’s about the experience. It brings people together, fills the air with irresistible aromas, and satisfies every craving. So fire up the grill, gather up your favorite side dishes, and get ready to enjoy a finger-licking feast and great conversation with friends and loved ones!
What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken
No barbecue chicken dinner is complete without the perfect sides. Here are few classic sides you can pair with your bbq chicken:
- Baked Beans
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Classic Potato Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Freezer Slaw
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Cornbread Muffins or Skillet Cornbread
- Broccoli Salad
- Pea Salad
- Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad
- Mexican Corn Salad
Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Chicken Recipe
This barbecue chicken is super easy to make, calling for just a few ingredients:
- Onions and garlic
- Natural ketchup
- Orange marmalade
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Spicy brown mustard
- Salt and hot sauce
The onions are in a saucepan until they begin to caramelize, the garlic is added and cooked for another minute, and then the sauce ingredients are added and brought to a simmer. The barbecue sauce is cooked for about 20 minutes and then set aside until ready. The sauce can be made well in advance and refrigerated until ready to use (it’s flavor will be even better). Then grill the chicken, brushing it with the barbecue sauce halfway through and then again at the end.
Enjoy!
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Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium yellow onion , finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup orange marmalade
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- hot sauce , according to heat preference
- 4 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
Instructions
- For the sauce: Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until caramelized to golden, about 6-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ketchup, marmalade, lemon juice, mustard, and salt, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 20 minutes. Season with hot sauce according to taste.
- Prepare a charcoal fire with the coals heaped in the center of the grill.Lightly oil the grill rack. Arrange the chicken, skin side down, around the perimeter of the grill rack. Do not place the chicken directly over the coals. Cover the grill. Cook for 35 minutes, turning the chicken over once. Generously brush the chicken with the sauce and turn again. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes. Generously brush the chicken again, then cover and cook until no traces of pink remain when the thickest parts of the chicken are cut, about another 10 minutes. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet January 8, 2013
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Hi Kimberly, happy 4th! I chose this recipe for our BBQ today. Used pork instead of chicken, but, it was still very good! We (4 adults and 1 toddler who ate nothing) happily consumed about 6 pounds of meat. That’s crazy amount. One of the guests is a professional server who is extra picky about food but said your sauce is great. Thanks again for another easy tasty recipe!
Hi Ayako, I’m so happy to hear that! And that’s a nice compliment coming from a pro! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and for your feedback!