Zesty Citrus BBQ Chicken Recipe 🍊🔥

Get ready to fire up the grill with this flavorful and tangy twist on BBQ chicken. This recipe is bursting with bold citrus notes and smoky spices, creating a dish that’s bound to impress at your next cookout. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients 🛒

• 4 skin-on chicken leg quarters (cut into 8 pieces)
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 orange 🍊
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon 🍋
• 3 cloves garlic, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions 🧑‍🍳

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   • Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag.
   • In a medium bowl or 4-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until smooth.
   • Remove 1 cup of the sauce for later use. Pour the remaining sauce into the bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and toss to coat the chicken evenly.
   • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
2. Simmer the Sauce:
   • Add the reserved sauce to a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low.
   • Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. This will be your glaze and dipping sauce. Set aside.
3. Get Grilling:
   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
   • Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Arrange the chicken skin-side down on the grill, leaving some space between pieces.
   • Grill for about 4 minutes, or until deep grill marks form and the chicken easily lifts off the grates. Flip the chicken skin-side up, cover the grill, and continue cooking for 20–25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F.
4. Glaze & Finish:
   • Brush the skin side of the chicken generously with the reduced sauce. Flip the chicken and brush the other side, grilling sauce-side down for 1 minute. Flip once more and grill for 1 additional minute to caramelize the glaze.
5. Rest & Serve:
   • Transfer the chicken to a platter and let it rest for 5 minutes.
   • Serve with the remaining sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Pro Tips 🌟

• Marinade Magic: Let the chicken marinate overnight for the juiciest, most flavorful results.
• Perfect Grill Marks: Make sure your grill is hot and oiled to prevent sticking.
• Extra Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for some heat.

This Citrus BBQ Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet, smoky, and tangy. Pair it with grilled veggies, cornbread, or a fresh summer salad, and watch your guests come back for seconds! Enjoy! 🍗✨