Fire Up the Grill: Delicious Cajun Style Chicken Recipe
Welcome to my southern-style chicken grilled recipe! If you are a lover of soul food and barbecue, then you have come to the right place. The delicious smoky flavors and savory spices will have your taste buds dancing with delight. I’ve put together this recipe for those looking for an easy yet flavorful dish to serve up on any occasion. It’s perfect for a summer BBQ or even a cozy night in with your loved ones.
Forget dry and flavorless chicken breasts or greasy fried wings, with my recipe you’ll create a succulent and juicy grilled chicken that melts in your mouth with every bite. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to achieve these fantastic flavors with just a few ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen.
As an experienced Southern chef, I can tell you that there’s nothing like the aroma and taste of perfectly seasoned barbecued chicken hot off the grill. This recipe is an homage to my roots, so get ready to experience amazing southern-style cooking! Now, gather around and let’s get started on creating those soulful flavors we all crave.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make Southern-style grilled chicken recipe? Look no further! This southern grilled chicken recipe is sure to impress everyone at your next barbecue.
What makes this recipe so special? First and foremost, the combination of spices used in the marinade will give your chicken an irresistible flavor. A perfect blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, black pepper, and brown sugar – it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
But what really sets this recipe apart is its versatility. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, making it a healthy option if you’re trying to watch your diet. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can even make it with chicken wings or tenders!
And don’t forget about the marinade – it not only adds flavor but also keeps the chicken incredibly juicy on the grill. Plus, it’s so simple to make. Mix together beer (yes, beer!), soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes and pour it over the chicken.
This recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves southern-style barbecued chicken. It’s perfect for any occasion whether it’s a family dinner or a summer cookout. The smoky flavor of grilled chicken alongside its mouthwatering aroma makes it irresistible.
So why not take your taste buds on a journey through Southern soul food with this grilled chicken recipe straight from the heart of southern living? Trust me; you’ll love everything about this recipe from its ease of preparation to its mouthwatering taste that will keep everyone coming back for more!
Ingredient List
Before we dive deep into the how-to of this Southern Grilled Chicken Recipe, let’s gather all the ingredients for it. Make sure to have all the necessary ingredients so you won’t need to rush to the pantry in the middle of your cooking flow.
Ingredients 1:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Ingredients 2:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Ingredients 3:
- Barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Note: You can always make necessary ingredient substitutions and variations as long as you got that Southern-style flavor going.
The Recipe How-To
Grilling is the keys to success of this Southern-style grilled chicken recipe. To achieve that juicy texture, preheat the grill for at least 15 minutes on high heat, and brush some oil on the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Marination:
In a bowl, mix together olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, brown sugar, and black pepper. Coat the chicken breasts with the mixture or place it into a resealable plastic bag with the mixture and let it marinate for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
Grilling:
Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove any excess marinade from the chicken and place them evenly spaced on the grill. Grill each side for about six to seven minutes or until both sides are golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of around 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Resting:
Once done, remove your chicken from the grill and let it rest for five minutes. This will allow all those tasty juices to redistribute back into the chicken.
Serving:
Slice them up into pieces and leave them bone-in if desired. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce or additional brown sugar if you want a little more sweetness.
This recipe also works great with bone-in chicken legs or even thighs! Just adjust the cook time accordingly (approximate time is between 30 -45 minutes). So now you have it – perfect Southern-style grilled chicken recipe ready to impress your dinner guests or your family.
Substitutions and Variations
There are plenty of ways to mix up the flavor in this Chicken Southern Grilled Chicken Recipe. The spices can be adjusted to your liking, and you can also try out some new ingredients or techniques. Here are a few ideas for substitutions and variations:
– Swap out the boneless chicken breasts for chicken thighs, chicken tenders or wings.
– Use a different type of beer or soda in the marinade for a unique flavor profile.
– Add some extra heat with chili powder, red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
– Try out a different type of sugar – brown sugar, honey or maple syrup are great alternatives to white sugar.
– For a sticky, sweet and savory twist, try making Southern Thai Chicken by marinating the chicken in soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, lime juice and red pepper flakes.
– If you prefer pulled chicken sandwiches over grilled chicken, slow cook the chicken in a crockpot with BBQ sauce until it falls apart easily.
– Baked BBQ sauce on top of bone-in chicken legs will give you a smoked-like taste you’ll love.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own!
Serving and Pairing
Now that your Southern Grilled Chicken recipe is ready, it’s time to serve it up and delight your taste buds. Southern-style dishes are all about bold flavors, so why not pair this mouthwatering grilled chicken with some delicious sides?
For a classic Southern meal, try serving your grilled chicken with coleslaw, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, or baked beans. You can also put together a simple green salad using fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. To add a bit of zest to your salad, whip up a quick vinaigrette using oil and vinegar.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to spice things up, try adding some Thai-style flavors to your chicken by serving it over sticky rice with a drizzle of soy sauce garlic glaze. For those who enjoy a bit of heat in their food, you can top your chicken with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
In terms of drinks, nothing screams Southern-style comfort food more than an ice-cold beer. Try pairing your grilled chicken with a fresh beer like Pilsner or IPA for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Alternatively, if you prefer not to drink alcohol, freshly squeezed lemon juice or sweet tea also complement the flavors of the dish perfectly.
Southern grilled chicken is versatile dish that can easily be adapted to suit any palate or occasion. Whether you are hosting a BBQ party or enjoying a cozy dinner at home, these tips will help you serve up delicious meals that will make everyone’s mouths water!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the best things about this southern-style grilled chicken recipe is how easy it is to make ahead of time. If you’re planning to cook for a big crowd or want something that’s ready to go when you come home from work, this is the perfect recipe.
To make-ahead, all you have to do is mix up the dry rub ingredients and store it in a sealed plastic bag or container until you’re ready to use it. You can also marinate the chicken in the wet marinade for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before grilling. This will help to infuse more flavor into the meat and help it stay juicy and tender.
If you have any leftover chicken after your meal, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, you can use either the microwave or oven method. To reheat in the microwave, simply place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with plastic wrap, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes. To reheat in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
I recommend saving some of your leftover grilled chicken to make delicious pulled chicken sandwiches or adding it as a topping on salads for quick and easy meals throughout the week. With its juicy tenderness and spicy flavor profile, this chicken recipe can be reinvented into many different dishes that’ll knock your socks off.
Tips for Perfect Results
If you want to make sure that your chicken southern grilled chicken recipe turns out to be a huge success, then these tips are just what you need! Let’s jump right in, shall we?
First and foremost, it’s important to properly prepare the chicken. Make sure that you remove any excess fat and gristle before cooking. Also, if you’re using chicken breasts, consider pounding them to ensure even thickness. This will make the cooking process much easier and faster.
When seasoning the chicken, don’t be afraid to use a generous amount of salt and pepper. Adding other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and brown sugar can enhance the flavors even further. Rub the mixture onto the chicken until it’s uniformly coated.
Another crucial tip for perfect grilled chicken is to preheat your grill. Preheating allows the grill grates to reach a high temperature and creates those beautiful char marks. It also helps prevent sticking and makes flipping your chicken much easier.
While we’re on the topic of sticking, it’s helpful to brush a small amount of oil on the grill grates before adding the chicken. You can use canola oil, olive oil or any other vegetable oil with a high smoke point that doesn’t overpower the flavor of your meats.
Be aware of flares while grilling(bursting fire from dripping fat). Flares-up cause uneven cooking so try to maintain a relatively stable flame during cooking by turning down one side of your grill or creating an off zone for indirect heat.
Last but not least – do NOT overcook your chicken! Boneless skinless breasts won’t take long and they can dry out easily when cooked for more than 5 minutes per side on high heat. Checking the internal temperature with a thermometer is recommended; wait till it reaches about 165 degrees Fahrenheit/73 Celsius before removing your chicken from the grill or oven.
By following these tips for perfect results, your southern-inspired grilled chicken recipe will turn out to be a crowd favorite!
FAQ
As we move on to the FAQ section, let’s address some common concerns you might have while making this chicken southern grilled recipe. From how long to marinate the chicken to which cut of chicken works best – this section will help answer all your queries and ensure that you have a hassle-free cooking experience. So, let’s clear up any doubts you might have and dive into these frequently asked questions!
What is the secret to grilling moist chicken?
One effective technique to ensure perfectly cooked and juicy chicken on the grill is brining. Before grilling, the chicken is soaked in a solution made of water and salt. This brining process prevents overcooking and enhances the texture and flavor of the chicken. Additionally, it results in tantalizing grill marks, as the moisture and sugars on the surface of the chicken caramelize quickly.
What do you soak chicken in before grilling?
When preparing chicken for cooking, I recommend opting for a brine method rather than simply seasoning with salt. By soaking the meat in a saltwater solution for a few hours beforehand, the salt will assist in breaking down the chicken’s muscle fibers. This will ultimately enable the chicken to effectively absorb moisture while also limiting the fibers’ contraction under heat, which in turn will help sustain the meat’s juiciness.
How to grill chicken breast and keep it juicy?
Brining your chicken is a quick and easy solution to keep the meat from drying out while grilling. In just 30 minutes, you can use a mixture of 1/4 cup of kosher salt and four cups of water to allow the chicken to absorb enough moisture to withstand the heat.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you’re in the mood for some mouth-watering Southern-style cuisine, then this Chicken Southern Grilled Chicken Recipe is perfect for you. With its flavorful seasoning and tender chicken, it’s an excellent dish to serve for your next family dinner or backyard BBQ. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also versatile and can be served in so many different ways, from grilled chicken breast to sticky chicken tenders.
With ingredients like brown sugar, garlic powder, and paprika, you can expect to experience a burst of flavors that perfectly complement each other. Plus, with our tips and recommendations on substitutions and variations, you can easily tweak the recipe to suit your taste buds. And who knows? You might even end up creating your very own unique version of the recipe!
So what are you waiting for? Put on your apron and heat up that grill! Turn up the tunes, crack open a cold beer and get ready to take your taste buds on a journey through Southern soul food with this delectable Chicken Southern Grilled Chicken Recipe. Trust me; once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked for life.
Chicken Southern Grilled Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 boneless chicken breasts (skin on)
- 12 ounces warm beer
- 1/2 cup butter
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 5 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons chile powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- First, melt the butter, then stir in all the powdered ingredients. Slowly stir in the beer (room temperature) until the mixture is uniform. Keep warm so the butter does not harden and stir well before basting. Grill the chicken on each side (wings, breasts, whatever - but make sure the skin is ON) over medium coals and control the flare-ups with a water squirt-bottle. Begin basting as soon as the skin starts to get crispy.
- Continue cooking and turn chicken a total of four times, basting each time after the first baste. Chicken should be well grilled on the outside but not burned.About 60 minutes total. Skin should be crispy and laden with the caramelized baste.