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Chipotle bbq Chicken Thighs

Chipotle BBQ Chicken Thighs

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Grill or Oven
  • Mixing bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Basting brush
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

For the chicken

  • 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (for maximum juiciness and crispy skin)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika

For the chipotle BBQ sauce

  • ½ cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
  • 2 tbsp adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
  • 1 chipotle pepper finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp ground cumin

Instructions
 

Prep the chicken

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve crispy skin. Rub them with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Make the chipotle BBQ sauce

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine BBQ sauce, adobo sauce, chipotle pepper, honey, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.
    deep-red chipotle BBQ sauce

Grill or roast

  1. Grill method: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Place chicken skin-side down, close the lid, and cook for 10 minutes. Flip, brush with the chipotle BBQ sauce, and cook for another 15-20 minutes, basting occasionally.
    a brush painting meat on a grill
  2. Oven method: Preheat to 400°F. Place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes. Brush with sauce and broil for 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze.

Rest & serve

  1. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This keeps it juicy and flavorful. Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side!