Maple Carolina BBQ Sauce Smothered Chicken Breasts Recipe
While most BBQ sauces are ketchup and molasses based, Carolina sauce is made with a base of vinegar and mustard. It is especially good on chicken, pulled brisket or pork. I normally would never marinate my chicken in any BBQ sauce because the sugar in the sauce burns too quickly on the grill. This one has a lower sugar content and no tomato and therefore lends well to marinating.
Ingredients
- Carolina BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup prepared mustard
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. dry mustard
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. low sodium tamari
- ½ tsp. white pepper
- ½ - 1 tsp. chipotle chili powder, more or
- less to taste or ½ tsp. cayenne
- For the Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 1
- bone-in whole chicken, cut in 8ths
Instructions
- 1
Mix all the Carolina BBQ sauce ingredients together in a small pot. Cook over med low heat for about 20 minutes. Let cool for about 20 minutes before using.
- 2
Use within 1 week or freeze.
- 3
For the Chicken: Place chicken in a bag with ½ of the Carolina BBQ Sauce and marinate for at least one hour at room temp or overnight in the fridge. Reserve the remaining sauce for brushing on the cooked chicken.
- 4
Make sure your chicken is at room temp for 1 hour before grilling.
- 5
Prepare a grill to medium high heat.
- 6
Boneless Chicken Breast: Grill on each side for about 5 minutes. Brush additional sauce on one side, cook for a minute or so, flip and repeat. Slice the chicken and serve with additional BBQ sauce.
- 7
Bone-in Chicken: Turn the heat to low on one side of the BBQ and place the chicken skin side up on the low side. Cook for 25 minutes. Flip. Brush the cooked side with BBQ sauce and cook on the skin side down for 15 minutes. Flip, brush the skin side with sauce, cook for 3 more minutes. Remove and enjoy! Serves 4
Tips & Storage
- How to Store
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Chicken and turkey reheat well in the oven at 325°F to keep the meat moist.
- Can I Freeze This?
- Absolutely. Cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Cooking Tip
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure poultry reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking for juicier results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make Maple Carolina BBQ Sauce Smothered Chicken Breasts?
This Maple Carolina BBQ Sauce Smothered Chicken Breasts recipe by Carolyn Cohen includes step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. You'll need 16 ingredients and the recipe is designed for home cooks of all skill levels.
Can I make this maple carolina bbq sauce smothered chicken breasts ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently before serving.