KC Classic BBQ Chicken Recipe
Kansas City Classic BBQ Chicken
with Homemade Sweet and Tangy KC Style BBQ Sauce
Submitted By: Taz
Ingredients:
4 Bone-in / Skin-on Chicken Leg Quarters (apx 4 lbs)
4 tsp Coarse Sea Salt (can substitute kosher salt if desired)
Sauce:
1 (8oz) Can Tomato Sauce
¼ Cup Tomato Paste
1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
¼ Cup Molasses
¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ Cup Pineapple Juice
2 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbs Mustard Powder
1 Tbs Paprika
2 tsp Coarse Sea Salt (can substitute kosher salt if desired)
1 tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
½ - 1 tsp Liquid Smoke - amount to taste
¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper or to taste
Preparation:
- Place your chicken leg quarters on a large baking sheet and allow them to come to room temperature (apx 30-45 minutes)
- Season chicken with salt on all sides and set aside for 10 minutes - After 10 minutes, dust on all sides with the KC BBQ seasoning and rub in - Cover and set aside until needed
- Place all of the ‘sauce’ ingredients in a medium saucepan and whisk to combine - Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil (make sure to stir regularly)
- As soon as a boil is reached, reduce to a gentle simmer, and allow to cook (stirring regularly) until thickened to your liking (apx 10-15 minutes) - Remove from heat and allow to cool until needed
- Prep your grill for direct cooking at high heat (400-450°F)
- Place your chicken on the hot grill - Close the lid, and allow to cook until chicken easily releases from grate (apx 5-6 minutes) - Flip, and allow to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes
- Brush the chicken pieces with BBQ sauce, flip and allow to cook for 2 minutes - Brush the un-sauced side and flip, and allow to cook for 2 minutes - Repeat so that both sides have been brushed and cooked twice, the skin is crisp, and the internal temperature has reached 160°F on an instant read thermometer
- Give the chicken pieces one last brush on all sides with the sauce and transfer to a clean plate – Loosely cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes
- Brush with more BBQ sauce if desired and serve with remaining sauce on the side along with your favorite BBQ offerings
