Patti LaBelle's Best-Ever Barbecue Chicken With Bodacious Barbecue Sauce

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The "Lady Marmalade" singer doesn't just know music, she also knows chicken. This saucy dish can be oven-baked or finished on the grill.

photo of Patti LaBelle's Best-Ever Barbecue Chicken With Bodacious Barbecue Sauce

serves/makes:

ready in:
1-2 hrs

ingredients

Sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon hot red pepper sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke

Chicken
5 pounds chicken drumsticks and thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

Add the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, lemon juice, and cayenne. Bring to a simmer then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the liquid smoke. Set the sauce aside. The sauce can be made ahead of time, cooled completely, and stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 3 days.

Place the chicken in a single layer in a large roasting pan. Brush the chicken with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with foil and place in the oven. Bake at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes.

If finishing the chicken on a grill, preheat the grill to medium heat.

To finish the chicken in the oven, remove the pan from the oven. Pour off any liquid in the pan. Spread the barbecue sauce over the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and bake at 375 degrees, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the chicken is done.

To finish the chicken on the grill, remove the pan from the oven. Place the chicken on the grill and baste frequently with the barbecue sauce for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and glazed.

recipe tips

Marinate the chicken in the barbecue sauce overnight for even more flavor.

Adjust the thickness of the barbecue sauce by simmering for a longer time, or adding a cornstarch slurry to thicken.

Try different cuts of chicken and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

common recipe questions

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of drumsticks and thighs?

You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for drumsticks and thighs, but adjust cooking time as needed as they will cook faster.

Do I have to add liquid smoke add to the barbecue sauce?

Liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor to the sauce, mimicking the taste of traditional barbecue cooking methods but you can omit it if desired.

How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

Can I adjust the sweetness or spiciness of the barbecue sauce?

Yes, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or hot sauce in the barbecue sauce to taste.

Is it necessary to cover the roasting pan with foil while baking the chicken?

Covering the roasting pan with foil helps to keep the chicken moist and tender while it cooks in the oven.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave (or eat cold!).

Can I use bottled barbecue sauce?

Sure, but that will yield a completely different result. The sauce in this recipe is what makes it so spectacular.

nutrition data

330 calories, 17 grams fat, 19 grams carbohydrates, 25 grams protein per serving.

reviews & comments

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