Pic Credit: thebalancednutritionist.com
Brown sugar BBQ chicken is a tasty meal that consists of brown sugar and BBQ sauce flavor. It is great to make for the large crowd, holidays, summer party or any get-together along with barbeque meal or simply for the family dinner party. The caramelization from the brown sugar enhances the unique flavors of the chicken making it even moist. No matter if you like grilling or baking or even using a slow cooker, you can easily follow the steps to create this dish.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (your choice)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1/4 cup bourbon (optional)
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 potato buns (for serving)
- Coleslaw (optional, for serving)
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Choose Quality Ingredients: When preparing your barbecue make sure you use a good quality barbecue sauce and fresh chicken that has not been frozen.
- Marinate Properly: You should let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours or you can marinate for the whole night.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Cooking the chicken may take more or less time depending on how the chicken is cut, the chicken pieces should be cooked through until they are 165°F.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Do not intermix cooked chicken and raw chicken as this will result to food borne diseases.
- Adjust Sweetness: You can decrease or increase the amounts of brown sugar to suit your taste; you can use a small quantity thereof for a less sweet meal.
Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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Chicken Breasts vs. Thighs: Though this recipe utilizes boneless skinless chicken breasts, hearts may be employed in substitution to the thighs if desired.
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Bourbon Substitute: In case one does not want to use bourbon one can use apple juice as a non-alcoholic option.
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Barbecue Sauce: Select a barbecue sauce that you fancy, sweet sauces will complement or be complemented by brown sugar.
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Brown Sugar Variations: Light brown sugar has a less intensity of taste whereas dark brown sugar has a strong Molasses taste.
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Italian Dressing Role: It also brings Italian dressing which gives the food acidity and herbs in addition to improving the taste of the food.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Prepare Chicken: Put the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag for marinating.
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Mix Marinade: In a different bowl mix together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, optional, Italian dressing, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
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Marinate Chicken: One and a half hours before cooking turn the oven on at 375°F. To marinate the chicken, pour this mixture over the chicken ensuring all pieces are covered. Lastly, close the bag or cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or better if left to chill overnight.
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Cook in Slow Cooker: Lay marinated chicken in the slow cooker, get hot on the stove, then cook for 4-6 hours or until chicken can be shredded with a fork.
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Grill Option: For this recipe, make sure that your grill is at medium-high heat ready for cooking. Take the chicken and strip it of this marinade, then place the chicken on the grill. And, cook each side for roughly 6-8 minutes, or, till fully done (the internal temperature is 165°F).
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Shred Chicken: If you use a slow cooker, then also remove the chicken and shred it with two forks, in the pot it needs to rest in its juices for about 15 minutes before serving.
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Serve: Barbecue pulled pork on potato buns, additional BBQ sauce, and coleslaw on the side if needed.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Coleslaw Addition: As you continue eating, placing coleslaw on top of your sandwich creates some texture, and counteracts the flavor of the BBQ chicken.
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Cheese Option: Sprinkle cheese to the shredded chicken then melt it prior to serving as an added flavor.
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Taco Variation: Shredded BBQ chicken may be fitted between taco shells accompanied by slices of avocado and curls of fresh cilantro.
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Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe is perfect for meal prep, prepare a big batch at the start of the week and use it for lunch or dinner.
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Freezing Leftovers: Any remaining shredded BBQ chicken should be Wrap, it is packed in an airtight pack and frozen for up to three months.
EQUIPMENT
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Slow cooker
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Grill
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Mixing bowl
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Forks
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
- Serve BBQ chicken on toasted potato buns with additional barbecue sauce and coleslaw for a hearty meal.
- For family-style dining, serve shredded BBQ chicken on a large platter with sides like roasted vegetables or corn on the cob.
- Use shredded BBQ chicken in wraps with fresh veggies or as a topping on green salads for a lighter option.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions to add color and freshness to your dish.
- Pair with sides like baked beans, macaroni salad, or cornbread to complete your meal.
If you're looking for another flavorful meal, check out this easy Mushroom Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Recipe
