The Best Grilled BBQ Chicken You'll Ever Make

chicken thighs

🥗Healthier: skinless chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: chicken drumsticks

Skinless options are lower in fat, while drumsticks are often cheaper.

BBQ sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade BBQ sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup with spices

Homemade sauces can be healthier with less sugar.

In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup neutral flavored oil, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce, and 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar.

Finely grate in 1/2 yellow onion and 4 garlic cloves, then whisk until combined.

Taste the marinade and adjust seasonings as needed.

Transfer 6 chicken drumsticks, 5 chicken thighs, and 2 split chicken breasts to the marinade and mix well to coat.

Transfer the marinated chicken to a plastic zip bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.

In a medium-sized sauce pot, combine 2 cups barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup apple juice, and 1 stick unsalted butter.

Heat the sauce on low until the butter is melted and combined, then keep warm.

Preheat the grill with hot, medium, and low heat sections.

Oil the grill grates with neutral flavored oil using a kitchen towel.

Place the chicken skin side down on the hot side of the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Move the chicken to the medium heat side of the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes without flipping.

Flip the chicken over and baste with the barbecue sauce, then cook for another 5-6 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary