Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure! These Grilled Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Breasts are about to become your new obsession - a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds. Whether you're a grilling novice or a backyard BBQ master, this recipe promises restaurant-quality results that are surprisingly simple to achieve.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels to ensure even seasoning and better grill marks.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk thoroughly until the brown sugar is completely dissolved and the marinade is smooth.
- Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
- Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
- Place chicken breasts on the preheated grill, cooking for 6-8 minutes per side. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for food safety.
- During the last 2-3 minutes of grilling, brush additional BBQ sauce on the chicken for extra caramelization and flavor.
- Remove chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- Slice and serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or additional BBQ sauce.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for food safety and optimal juiciness.
- Marinating Magic: Don't rush the marinating process. The longer the chicken sits (up to 2 hours), the more flavor it will absorb.
- Grill Preparation: Clean and oil your grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking and achieve beautiful grill marks.
- Rest Your Meat: Always let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist meat.
- Caramelization Trick: Brush extra BBQ sauce in the final minutes of grilling for a gorgeous, sticky-sweet exterior.
- Even Cooking: Pat chicken breasts dry before marinating to ensure even seasoning and better browning.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Always discard used marinade and use fresh sauce for basting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 110mg
