Grilled Chipotle Maple Chicken
This Grilled Chipotle Maple Chicken packs a smoky-sweet punch with just the right amount of heat. Boneless chicken thighs are coated in a dry spice rub and basted with a bold chipotle maple BBQ sauce for layers of flavor.
Servings: 6
Calories: 324kcal
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
For the Spice Rub
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Chipotle Maple BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 finely chopped chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lime juiced
For Serving
- lime wedges optional
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from boneless, skinless chicken thighs and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine all spice rub ingredients - smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, dry mustard,garlic powder, chili powder, cumin and black pepper. Sprinkle and pat mixture evenly on both sides of chicken thighs. Cover the baking sheet with foil and chill for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the bbq sauce ingredients - ketchup, maple syrup, molasses, finely chopped chipotle pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder (reserve lime juice for later). Bring just to boiling; reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
- Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for direct cooking over medium heat. Arrange chicken on a lightly oiled grill rack, cover grill, and cook 4 minutes. Flip and cook 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Stir lime juice into the sauce and baste the chicken with some of the sauce, flip and cook 1 minute. Brush sauce on the second side and cook until the internal temperatures reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (170 to 175 will yield a more tender result).
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest 5 minutes. Serve with lime wedges on the side, if desired.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: The Chipotle Maple BBQ Sauce can be prepared in advance, transferred to an airtight container, and refrigerated until ready to use.
Storage and Reheating: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat gently in the microwave or a skillet with a splash of water or BBQ sauce to keep it moist. Leftovers are delicious served cold in sandwiches or wraps!
Nutrition
Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 789mg | Potassium: 720mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 820IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2.5mg