Citrus BBQ Chicken
This Citrus BBQ Chicken is bold, tangy, and perfectly smoky—thanks to a vibrant marinade made with fresh orange and lemon, brown sugar, garlic, and warm spices. Grilled to juicy perfection and glazed with a sticky citrus BBQ sauce, this dish is perfect for summer cookouts or flavorful weeknight meals.
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, 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
Instructions
Make the Marinade
In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together:
ketchup, brown sugar, orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper.Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces into a large resealable plastic bag.
Pour in the marinade, reserving 1 cup for later. Seal the bag and massage gently to evenly coat the chicken.
Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.Prepare the BBQ Sauce
Add the reserved 1 cup of marinade to a small saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 10 minutes, until thickened. Set aside for glazing and serving.Grill the Chicken
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and let excess drip off.
Place chicken skin-side down on the grill. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until grill marks form and the chicken releases easily.
Flip skin-side up, cover the grill, and continue cooking for 20 to 25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.Glaze and Finish
Brush the skin side of the chicken with the reduced citrus BBQ sauce. Flip and brush the other side, cooking 1 minute per side to caramelize the glaze.Rest and Serve
Transfer the chicken to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes.
Serve with the remaining citrus BBQ sauce on the side.
- Pro Tip
For even more flavor, use the reduced sauce as a dipping glaze when serving or drizzle over grilled vegetables on the side.
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