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Barbecued Chicken

4.6

(6)

Avoid rookie mistakes when it comes to barbecuing. If you apply the sauce too early, it will scorch. And most bottled sauces are too sweet, which is where this vinegary version comes in.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

Barbecue sauce:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons mustard powder
Kosher salt

Chicken:

1 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 10 pieces (breasts halved)
2 tablespoons 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub

Preparation

  1. For barbecue sauce:

    Step 1

    Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until paste turns brick-red, about 2 minutes. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add vinegar, orange juice, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and 3 cups water. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits, until reduced by half, 50-60 minutes; season with salt.

  2. For chicken:

    Step 2

    Prepare grill for medium heat. Season chicken with 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub. Grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, 15-20 minutes. Continue grilling, turning and basting with barbecue sauce often, until chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 8-10 minutes longer.

    Step 3

    DO AHEAD: Barbecue sauce can be chilled 1 week ahead.

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