Honey Bourbon BBQ Chicken Recipe: Easy & Delicious
Take your summer grilling to the next level or enjoy a recipe for honey bourbon barbecue chicken all year with our honey bourbon barbecue chicken. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and will quickly become a family favorite.
This recipe mixes the deep flavors of bourbon and honey with your favorite barbecue sauce. It makes a glaze that brings out the chicken’s natural taste. You can use it with white or dark meat, boneless or bone-in, making it versatile for everyone.
It only takes 30 minutes to prepare, making it great for those busy evenings. And, leftovers can be turned into a tasty chicken salad or a healthy green salad topping.
So, fire up the grill and get your ingredients ready. You’re in for a treat with the sweet honey, smooth bourbon, and tangy barbecue sauce in this easy weeknight meal.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Honey Bourbon BBQ Chicken
Getting the right ingredients is key to making Honey Bourbon BBQ Chicken. This recipe has over 1 million views, showing its flavor appeal. Let’s explore the main ingredients that make this dish special.
Chicken Breasts or Thighs
The recipe starts with choosing chicken. You can use boneless chicken breasts or bone-in breasts or thighs. This recipe is flexible, so you can pick what your family likes best.
Homemade or Store-Bought Barbecue Sauce
The barbecue sauce is the dish’s heart. You can pick a store-bought sauce or make your own. If you buy a sauce, watch its sweetness and adjust the honey.
Making your own sauce is a great option. Mix ketchup, bourbon, honey, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and spices for a tasty sauce.
Honey and Bourbon for Flavor Enhancement
Honey and bourbon or whiskey add depth to the chicken. Honey adds sweetness, while bourbon brings smokiness. Apple juice is a good substitute if you don’t want alcohol.
Remember, other ingredients are important too:
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- Oil for grilling the chicken
With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a Honey Bourbon BBQ Chicken that everyone will love.
How to Make Honey Bourbon BBQ Chicken
Making honey bourbon BBQ chicken is easy and tasty. It’s a great way to improve your grilling skills. You’ll learn how to prepare the chicken and sauce, grill it right, and keep it safe from contamination.
Preparing the Chicken and Sauce
Start by drying the chicken with paper towels and removing excess fat. Season it with salt and pepper. Let it sit at room temperature while you make the sauce.
To make the sauce, you’ll need ketchup, honey, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion and garlic powder, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Keep a small part of the sauce for basting the chicken to avoid contamination.
Grilling Instructions for Perfect Results
Now, it’s time to grill. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Heat the grill to 400°F to 450°F.
Put the seasoned chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Brush with reserved sauce every few minutes. Flip and baste the other side. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F, about 15 minutes.
Tips for Avoiding Cross-Contamination
Food safety is key when grilling chicken. Here are some tips to avoid cross-contamination:
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked chicken.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw chicken.
- Use a clean brush or spoon for basting cooked chicken.
- Don’t put cooked chicken on a plate or surface that had raw chicken unless it’s been washed.
By following these steps, your honey bourbon BBQ chicken will be delicious and safe to eat.
After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This makes it juicier and more flavorful.
Serving Suggestions and Leftover Ideas
There are many tasty side dishes that go well with honey bourbon barbecue chicken. Try serving it with fluffy rice, grilled veggies like zucchini and bell peppers. Or, go for classic barbecue sides like corn on the cob and a fresh salad. These options balance the meal’s flavors and textures, making it satisfying.
Leftover honey bourbon chicken is a treasure trove of easy meal ideas. Slice it for salads, sandwiches, wraps, or quesadillas. You can also shred or cube it and mix it with barbecue sauce for pulled chicken sandwiches or pizza toppings.
Using leftover honey bourbon chicken in creative ways not only saves time and money but also allows you to enjoy the flavors you love in a variety of dishes throughout the week.
Another great idea is to serve leftover chicken on a bed of greens with your favorite toppings and dressing. This makes a hearty entree salad perfect for lunch or dinner. With so many ways to use leftover chicken, you’ll always find something delicious to make.
Recipe for Honey Bourbon Barbecue Chicken
This recipe for honey bourbon barbecue chicken is perfect for summer cookouts. It combines sweet honey, smoky bourbon, and tangy barbecue sauce. This makes a marinade that boosts your grilled chicken’s flavor.
This recipe is easy and quick to prepare. It’s great for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.
To start, you’ll need 2 lbs of chicken wing portions, 1/4 cup of bourbon whiskey, 1/4 cup of honey, and lemon juice. Also, you’ll need brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix these to make a tasty marinade.
Coat your chicken wings well with the marinade. For the best taste, marinate them in the fridge for 6-8 hours. Or, marinate for up to 24 hours for even more flavor.
Preheat your grill to high heat when you’re ready to cook. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for about 12 minutes per side. While grilling, simmer the leftover marinade in a saucepan until it thickens into a glaze.
Brush the glaze over the wings in the last few minutes of grilling. This adds more flavor. Once the chicken is at 165°F (75°C), take it off the grill. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe makes 4 servings. Each serving has about 856 calories, 55g of fat, 46g of carbs, and 39g of protein. Enjoy your honey bourbon bbq chicken wings with Coconut Milk Ranch Dressing or Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno Dip for a memorable meal.
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