Master the art of outdoor cooking with "Chicken BBQ Like the Pros," a foolproof recipe that delivers juicy, flavor-packed chicken thighs with a smoky caramelized finish. This recipe starts with a bold dry rub featuring smoked paprika, garlic, and cayenne, balanced by a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. After a marinade rest to lock in flavor, bone-in, skin-on chicken is grilled to perfection using a two-zone fire method for crispy skin and tender, evenly cooked meat. Brushed with tangy apple cider vinegar and your favorite BBQ sauce during the final minutes of grilling, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser for backyard barbecues and summer feasts. Perfectly cooked in under an hour, this recipe ensures you’ll be the grill master at every gathering!
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In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, kosher salt, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper to create the dry rub.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Coat each piece with olive oil, then generously sprinkle the dry rub onto both sides of the chicken. Massage the rub into the meat to ensure even seasoning.
Cover the seasoned chicken and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight for maximum flavor).
Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 375°F to 400°F). If using a charcoal grill, arrange the coals to create a two-zone fire: direct heat on one side and indirect heat on the other.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling to bring it to room temperature.
Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill over direct heat. Sear for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp, being careful to avoid flare-ups.
Move the chicken to the indirect heat zone. Close the lid and cook for 35-40 minutes, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
Brush the chicken with apple cider vinegar during the last 10 minutes of cooking to enhance the smoky flavor.
In the final 5 minutes of cooking, generously brush the chicken with BBQ sauce. Let it caramelize slightly, flipping once to coat both sides evenly.
Remove the chicken from the grill, let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices, and serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Serving size | (1232.4g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2934.8 |
Total Fat 185.0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 48.8g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
Cholesterol 729mg | 0% |
Sodium 3276.0mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 154.8g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 7.5g | 0% |
Total Sugars 121.6g | |
Protein 166.5g | 0% |
Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
Calcium 200.3mg | 0% |
Iron 12.7mg | 0% |
Potassium 2548.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories