The Ultimate Barbecued Chicken

Show: Episode:

Picture of The Ultimate Barbecued Chicken Recipe 4 Videos | Photo: The Ultimate Barbecued Chicken Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 331 Reviews
Total Time:
3 hr 20 min
Prep
15 min
Inactive
2 hr 0 min
Cook
1 hr 5 min
Yield:
6 servings
Level:
Intermediate
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

Ingredients

Brine:

  • 2 quarts water
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed with the side of a large knife
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 6 chicken legs and thighs, still connected, bone in, skin on, about 10 ounces each

The Ultimate Barbecue Sauce:

Directions

For the brine, in a mixing bowl combine the water, salt, sugar, garlic, and thyme. Transfer the brine to a 2-gallon sized re-sealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, close the bag and refrigerate 2 hours (if you've only got 15 minutes, that's fine) to allow the salt and seasonings to penetrate the chicken.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Wrap the bacon around the bunch of thyme and tie with kitchen twine so you have a nice bundle. Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the thyme and cook slowly 3 to 4 minutes to render the bacon fat and give the sauce a nice smoky taste. Add the onion and garlic and cook slowly without coloring for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, give the sauce a stir, and turn the heat down to low. Cook slowly for 20 minutes to meld the flavors. Once the sauce is done cooking, remove about 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and reserve for serving along side the chicken at the table. The rest of the barbecue sauce will be used for basing the legs.

Preheat oven 375 degrees F.

Preheat a grill pan or an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue to a medium heat. Take a few paper towels and fold them several times to make a thick square. Blot a small amount of oil on the paper towel and carefully and quickly wipe the hot grates of the grill to make a nonstick surface. Take the chicken out of the brine, pat it dry on paper towels. Arrange the chicken pieces on the preheated grill and cook, turn once mid-way, and cook for a total of 10 minutes. Transfer the grill marked chicken to a cookie sheet and then place in the oven. Cook the chicken for 15 minutes, remove it from the oven and then brush liberally, coating every inch of the legs with the barbecue sauce and then return to the oven for 25 to 30 more minutes, basting the chicken for a second time half way through remaining cooking time. Serve with extra sauce.

Print Recipe

Beer Suggestion for This Recipe

Dark Beer

Dark Beer

Toasty, bracing beer

Quick Video Tips

Find easy pairings for your favorite recipes, Bobby's perfect picks and party ideas.

Wine 101: Get All the Basics

Browse Reviews by Keywordnew!

Loading review filters...

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be logged in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 331 reviews

  • on June 15, 2013

    Flag

    This recipe is ok, but is not 5 star worthy in my opinion. The sauce is way too sweat - needs some lemon or more vineager and something with a savory factor to it. If you're not looking for some chicken flavor, then this may suit you fine, but the sauce is overwhelming and that's all you taste. I have couple of grilled chicken recipes that everyone loves, so I doubt that we will try this again.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on June 06, 2013

    Flag

    This was delicious!!! The chicken was so moist and that bbq sauce was phenomenal. I will never buy bottled bbq sauce again! Even my picky 2 year old loved it. Will definitely make again!

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on May 27, 2013

    Flag

    Great recipe!! I always see so many recipes on here with 5 stars that I don't think are great, but this recipe is amazing. This chicken was so moist and the bbq sauce was awesome! My husband said it was the best chicken he has ever had and should definitely save the brine and bbq sauce recipe. He wasn't even hungry, but ate 3 thighs/legs.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

Next Recipe

Advertisement

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google

© 2013 Television Food Network G.P. All rights reserved.