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Smoky Juicy Honey BBQ Chicken | 45-Min Cozy Family Football Dinner

Best Smoky Juicy Honey BBQ Chicken 45 Min Family Dinner

Smoky juicy honey BBQ chicken ready in 45 minutes. Sticky chicken with fall flavors for family football dinner. Try this easy cozy recipe today.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Easy Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work best)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced

Method
 

  1. Pat your chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels, then season generously with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. This dry rub sticks better to dry meat and creates incredible flavor.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2 minutes. Working in batches if needed, sear chicken pieces skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and sear another 3-4 minutes on the other side.
  3. Remove chicken temporarily and reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onion and minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke until well combined. Return chicken to the skillet and pour this glaze over all pieces, ensuring even coating. This creates the signature sticky chicken texture.
  5. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, turning chicken pieces halfway through cooking time. The sticky chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh.
  6. Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high, cooking for the final 3-5 minutes to reduce and thicken the glaze. The honey BBQ chicken is ready when it develops a deep, glossy exterior and the sauce coats the meat thickly.