Summer time has arrived and BBQ has become the family favorite. Carolina Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken has graced our table with a Sweet & Tangy Sticky fare that a wet nap was a necessity after every bite. This recipe came about not by an initial thought but simply by what I had or rather didn’t have on hand to enjoy some great tasting BBQ.
BBQ Sauce
While most times I would whip up a batch of homemade BBQ sauce, I was looking for a quick an easy way to still get the flavor but not the work. We all have those days when you want to grab a bottle of BBQ sauce and call it a day. Nothing as simple as doctoring it up to elevate the flavor right? Looking in my pantry I discovered I didn’t have a whole bottle of BBQ sauce but I did have 1/2 of one and 1/2 of a Carolina version. If you never had a Carolina BBQ sauce it is simple made with a base of vinegar and mustard versus the traditional ketchup and molasses. It is absolutely delicious over any protein it touches. Hence this recipe, a little combination of both worlds with additional ingredients and viola.. Carolina Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken.
Grill Time
Grill time is my favorite time of year. You are not limited to what you can grill and provides some of the most flavorful meals. Ranging from fish, chicken, pork, beef to all your favorite vegetable sides, there is no right or wrong item to hit those grates. The flavors you choose to infuse in your food is limitless. It’s simply finding what you want, how you want it and what you need to do to make it happen. Let’s get to grilling some good ole lightly charred BBQ Chicken and you’ll find yourself loving this combination of flavors. Serve along side your favorite side and taking grilling to a whole new level minus the hard work.
Some doesn’t have to be many, it’s how you manipulate it to make it plenty!
~ Sandy M
Carolina Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Charcoal or Gas Grill
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 Whole Chicken (or Chicken of your choice) Cleaned and excess fat removed and cut into sections.
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp Garlic Herb Seasonings No Salt
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Adobo Seasoning More or less can be used depending on your preference.
Condiments
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce of your choice Sticky Fingers BBQ sauce was used in this recipe.
- 2 cups Carolina BBQ Sauce of your choice Sticky Fingers Carolina Sauce was used in this recipe.
- 1 cup Light. Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Yellow Mustard
Oil
- Olive Oil
Instructions
Chicken Preparation
- Place cleaned Chicken sections into a mixing bowl.
- Drizzle Olive Oil over Chicken and using your hand give the Chicken a good rub down.
- Add all the seasonings directly into the bowl and continue rubbing the seasonings into the chicken being sure to coat each section with the seasoning.
- Set aside and let let marinate for 30 minutes to allow seasonings to infuse into Chicken. This step can also be done the night before and covered with foil and placed into refrigerator over night. The longer the marinade time, the better the flavor.
Grilling
- Preheat your Gas or Charcoal Grill to medium/high. You want to use indirect heat in the beginning of the grilling process. Be sure to lightly oil your grates so that the Chicken doesn't stick to them.
- Place Chicken sections skin side down on grates and begin the grilling process.
- Grill Chicken until skin is lightly browned..15 minutes or so.
- Flip Chicken over and place towards direct heat and continue the grilling process on side 2 for additional 15 minutes or so or until it begins to brown on that side as well.
Meanwhile.. BBQ Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, add all the condiments except Brown Sugar and stir the ingredients together.
BBQing the Chicken
- Using a Basting Brush or Spoon, generously slather the BBQ sauce over the top portion of the Chicken. Using your fingers, sprinkle the brown sugar all over it. As it heats up, it will begin to brown/char and melt into the sauce. If it begins to char to quickly, move over to indirect heat again.
- Flip Chicken over again and repeat the Basting process with BBQ sauce. Place back into direct heat and continue grilling until light charring begins to occur and BBQ sauce is grilled into the Chicken. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reads 160°F.
- Serve hot right off the grill with your favorite sides and enjoy!
