Zesty Bbq Chicken

Fire up your grill or oven for this irresistible Zesty BBQ Chicken recipe that's bursting with smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors! Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are slathered in a bold blend of spices—including paprika, cumin, and cayenne—before being grilled or roasted to perfection. The pièce de résistance is the homemade BBQ sauce, a mouthwatering mix of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard, simmered to create a rich, sticky glaze. Perfectly caramelized and tender, this dish is ready in under an hour and makes a show-stopping centerpiece for any backyard barbecue or family dinner. Pair it with grilled veggies, coleslaw, or cornbread for a complete meal that will leave everyone craving seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C). If using a grill, lightly oil the grates.

Step 2

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir until it forms a thick marinade.

Step 4

Rub the spice mixture evenly over each chicken thigh, ensuring they are well-coated. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 5

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika. Stir and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 6

Place the chicken thighs on the grill, skin-side down, or arrange them on a baking sheet if using an oven. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 7

During the last 5 minutes of cooking, generously brush the chicken with the prepared BBQ sauce. Allow the sauce to caramelize slightly before removing the chicken.

Step 8

Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1619.9 grams (1619.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3295

Total Fat 232.80g	298%
Saturated Fat 59.60g	298%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 972mg	324%
Sodium 4911mg	214%
Total Carbohydrate 92.80g	34%
Dietary Fiber 4.80g	17%
Total Sugars 62.50g
Protein 219.20g	438%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 246mg	19%
Iron 16mg	90%
Potassium 2749mg	58%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.7%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 11.1%