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Avoid rookie mistakes when it comes to barbecuing chicken. 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.

Ingredients

4 Servings

Barbecue Sauce

2

tablespoons vegetable oil

¼

cup tomato paste

2

teaspoons garlic powder

2

teaspoons onion powder

1

teaspoon smoked paprika

½

teaspoon cayenne pepper

½

teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½

cup apple cider vinegar

½

cup fresh orange juice

cup light brown sugar

cup mild-flavored (light) molasses

2

tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2

teaspoons mustard powder

Kosher salt

Chicken

1

3½–4-pound chicken, cut into 10 pieces (breasts halved)

2

tablespoons 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub

Preparation

  1. 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. 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°, 8–10 minutes longer.

    Step 3

    Do Ahead: Barbecue sauce can be chilled 1 week ahead.

Nutrition Per Serving

4 servings
1 serving contains: Calories (kcal) 560 Fat (g) 11 Saturated Fat (g) 2 Cholesterol (mg) 160 Carbohydrates (g) 49 Dietary Fiber (g) 2 Total Sugars (g) 36 Protein (g) 66 Sodium (mg) 1500
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Reviews (117)

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  • I'm not a fan. I followed the instructions and ended up with a watery sauce.

    • Anonymous

    • 4/8/2024