“Dads Favorite” BBQ Chicken Recipe

Fire up the grill this Father’s Day and try this delicious recipe from Butler’s Pantry’s Executive Chef Greg Ziegenfuss. Ever wonder how to perfect barbeque chicken? Moist, sticky, smoky barbeque chicken is hard to come by, but Chef Greg Ziegenfuss knows the secret to making this All-American dish. Don’t forget the napkins!

“Dads Favorite” BBQ Chicken Thighs

Brine:

1 qt. water

1 qt. red wine vinegar

1 cup brown sugar

2 tbls kosher salt

2 tbls Worcestershire

2 tbls minced garlic

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbls smoked paprika

1 tbls ground black pepper

12 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs

Dads Favorite BBQ Sauce:

2 slices smoked bacon

1 yellow onion, diced fine

2 tbls minced garlic

1 cup ketchup

1 cup V-8 or similar vegetable juice cocktail

¼ cup soy sauce

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup red wine vinegar

1 tbls dry mustard

1 tsp cumin

1 tbls ground black pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika

Directions:

For the brine: Combine all ingredients except the chicken thighs in a mixing bowl. Place thighs in a glass dish and cover with the brine for a minimum two hours and preferably overnight.

For the BBQ sauce: Fry the bacon to almost crisp in a heavy-duty sauce pot over medium heat. Add the onion and continue cooking while the bacon crisps and the onion wilts. Add the garlic and cook until the mixture is aromatic. Add remaining ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Puree in batches in a blender or food processor or with a submersible blender until smooth. Sauce may be made up to a week in advance and kept refrigerated.

Cook thighs on a charcoal barbecue, first browning the thighs directly over the coals and then away from the coals for approximately 35 minutes until cooked through, basting with the sauce frequently. The thighs are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 160 degrees. Allow to rest for 5 minutes and serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Treat your dad to a tasty barbeque meal this Father’s Day, or don’t cook at all and let Butler’s Pantry do it for you. Butler’s Pantry will cater your Father’s Day family get-together or, enjoy brunch at Café Madeleine in Tower Grove Park for fresh cuisine and scenic park views.

For more information, visit www.butlerspantry.com.