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!
Read more: Zesty Citrus BBQ Chicken Recipe 🍊🔥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 🧑🍳
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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! 🍗✨