Health

How to grill finger-lickin Barbeque Chicken

Published

7 years ago

September 6, 2017

Have your own supply of chicken parts handy? Whether it’s legs, wings or thighs, learn how to turn chicken into a delicious dish quick barbeque chicken..
Follow along as Taste of Home Food Editor Peggy Woodward drums up her best tips for this super saucy grilled chicken (barbeque chicken) recipe. Feel free to size the recipe up or down to suit your needs. (Leftover sauce will be kept in the refrigerator for about a week.)
How to Grill the Best Chicken Wings, Thighs or Legs
You’ll Need:
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 to 4 pounds), cut up (or equivalent volume of your favorite chicken parts)
For the sauce:
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon butter
1/2 cup ketchup
1/8 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 cup chili sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon celery seed
1/2 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 dash hot pepper sauce

Step 1: Make the sauce
When it comes to a crowd-pleasing chicken dish, the secret is in the sauce. (Using store-bought stuff? Skip to Step 2. ) Begin by sauteing the minced garlic in butter in a large saucepan. Stir until it’s tender and fragrant. Next, add the remaining sauce ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, but don’t step away! Stir constantly, taking care it doesn’t burn. Then remove the pan from the heat and set aside for later.

Chicken

Step 2: Clean and grease your grill grates
When it comes to grilled food, it’s best to start with a clean slate. Check to make sure the grill is free of stuck-on food before you begin. (The quickest way to clean a stainless steel grill is to turn up the heat to burn off the gunk, let it cool and then scrub it down with a sturdy wire brush. For thoroughly cleaning a gas grill, check the manufacturer’s directions.) Once clean, you’ll want to brush the grill rack with oil. If oiling a hot grill, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and use long-handled tongs to carefully rub it over the grill rack.
Test Kitchen tip : Take the extra time to clean and oil your grill grate. It’ll prevent the chicken from sticking.

Chicken

Step 3: Get grilling
Bump the flame up to medium heat, place the chicken on the grill rack and cover. Grill for about 30 minutes, using tongs to turn the meat occasionally until it begins to turn golden brown.
Test Kitchen tip : If using a charcoal grill, you can gauge the temperature by holding your hand 5 inches above the cooking grate. If you can keep it there comfortably for 5-7 seconds, it’s at medium heat.

Chicken

Step 4: Baste
It’s time for your sauce to make its grand debut. Using a basting brush—or a spoon, in a pinch—spread the sauce all over the chicken. (This process is known as basting.) Turn each piece over and repeat. Continue to baste and turn the chicken for about 15 minutes longer. Sugary sauces tend to burn quickly, so keep a close eye for any sign of charring. Think it’s cooking too quick? Move the chicken to indirect heat.
Test Kitchen tips: It’s important to leave basting until the last 15 minutes of grilling. If you start adding the sauce too soon, you run the risk of burnt chicken. Don’t baste if the chicken still looks raw, since doing so runs the risk of transferring bacteria from uncooked to cooked chicken. To learn more about food safety, check out our tips on how to handle raw chicken.

Chicken
Step 5: Check for doneness
The single safest way to ensure chicken is cooked to perfection is to check its internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. Follow the cooking times below:
Type of Chicken Temperature
Boneless chicken breast 165°
Bone-in chicken breast 170°
Boneless thighs 170°
Bone-in thighs or leg quarters 170-175°
Cut-up mixed bone-in parts Until the juices run clear
Once chicken has reached the correct temperature, remove it from the grill.

Chicken

Step 6: Dig in
Your crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside barbeque chicken wings are ready to serve. Set them out on a platter and drizzle with more sauce if desired. I always find it refreshing to pair barbeque chicken with crunchy celery and carrots, and maybe a cool, creamy dip.
Pro tip : Got extra sauce to spare? Save it for rainy day recipes like Sweet Barbcued Pork Chops or miniature meat loaf.