BBQ Chicken and Sauce

My Favorite BBQ Chicken: A Simple Recipe for Busy Weeknights

As a busy working mom, finding time to cook delicious and healthy meals can feel like a Herculean task. Between work, school pick-ups, and after-school activities, the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That's why I've developed a love for quick, easy recipes that don't compromise on flavor. This BBQ chicken recipe is my absolute go-to for busy weeknights. It's simple, adaptable, and always a crowd-pleaser, even with my picky eaters!

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can use any cut of chicken – breasts, thighs, drumsticks – whatever you have on hand. I often use a mix to get a variety of textures and flavors. The homemade BBQ sauce is the real star here. It's smoky, sweet, and tangy, with just the right amount of heat. And the best part? It's incredibly easy to make! I usually whip up a big batch on the weekend and store it in the fridge, so it's ready to go whenever I need it. This saves me so much time during the week when I'm short on time.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how customizable it is. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients in the BBQ sauce to match your personal preferences. For example, if you like a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the amount of maple syrup. The possibilities are endless!

The chicken itself is cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet, giving it that beautiful crispy skin and juicy interior. I love the way the cast iron retains heat so well, ensuring that the chicken is cooked evenly and thoroughly. Once the chicken is browned, I slather it with the delicious BBQ sauce and pop it in the oven to finish cooking. This method creates a wonderfully flavorful and tender chicken dish that's ready in under an hour.

This recipe is not only perfect for a weeknight dinner but also for casual gatherings and barbecues. I've served it countless times to friends and family, and it's always a hit. The flavor is so unique, and everyone raves about the homemade BBQ sauce. It's a recipe that I'm proud to share, knowing that it's easy enough for even the busiest person to make yet delicious enough to impress even the most discerning palates.

Beyond the Basics: Serving Suggestions

This BBQ chicken is so versatile; you can serve it with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

• Classic Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw perfectly complements the smoky flavors of the BBQ chicken.
• Potato Salad: A classic picnic side dish that's always a crowd-pleaser.
• Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled, corn on the cob adds a sweet and savory element to the meal.
• Baked Beans: Sweet and tangy baked beans are a perfect match for BBQ chicken.
• Simple Green Salad: A fresh green salad helps balance out the richness of the BBQ chicken and adds a healthy element to the meal.

No matter what you choose to serve it with, this BBQ chicken recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the deliciousness!

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this recipe:

• Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the final product will be. I always recommend using fresh, seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
• Don't overcrowd the pan: When browning the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will ensure that the chicken browns evenly and doesn't steam.
• Check the internal temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Make extra sauce: The BBQ sauce is delicious on so many things! Make extra so you can have it on hand for other dishes.
• Get creative with sides: Experiment with different side dishes to find your favorites. The possibilities are endless!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! It's a simple, delicious, and customizable meal that's perfect for any occasion. Let me know in the comments how it turned out for you!

Step-by-step

• In a saucepan, add maple syrup, lemon juice, vinegar, ginger, onions, carrots, strawberries and bacon fat.
• Bring to boil, stir and lower to a simmer.
• Add smoked salt, stir until it has dissolved and taste the mixture for salt. You may need to add more. The amount of smoked salt you will add will be very organic and intuitive; add more if you like a lot of smoke flavor. I added three small pinches of my smoked salt.
• Simmer on low for about 20 minutes or until the onions and carrots are tender.
• Transfer to blender and (using a towel to cover the top of the blender lid so you don't burn yourself in case any flows over) blend on high until completely smooth, scraping down sides once or twice, about 2 minutes.
• Pour back into saucepan and bring to low simmer and cook for about 10 min. more.
• Will keep in fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze if you don't think you will use it all.
• To make chicken, Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat 1 Tbls of bacon fat or lard in a cast iron skillet.
• Brown all sides of your chicken on medium high heat on stove and sprinkle a pinch of salt on it.
• Chicken should be almost fully cooked, skins getting crispy.
• Remove from heat and spoon a good tablespoon or more of BBQ sauce on each piece of chicken. Spread on the chicken.
• Transfer cast iron skillet with chicken to oven and bake uncovered at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.
• Check internal temperature of chicken to be sure for doneness.