**Savor the Sweet and Savory Symphony of Blueberry BBQ Chicken: A Culinary Journey**
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary adventure like no other. Blueberry BBQ Chicken takes you on a journey where the tangy sweetness of blueberries harmoniously blends with the smoky richness of barbecue sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving for more. This article presents a collection of delectable recipes that showcase the versatility of Blueberry BBQ Chicken, from classic grilled chicken to innovative twists that will redefine your barbecue experience. Dive into the juicy details of each recipe, exploring the unique ingredients and step-by-step instructions that guide you towards barbecue perfection. Discover how simple adjustments can transform this dish into a finger-licking appetizer, a tantalizing main course, or a flavor-packed party favorite. Let your taste buds embark on an extraordinary culinary voyage with Blueberry BBQ Chicken, where the sweetness of blueberries and the smokiness of barbecue create a flavor symphony that will leave you utterly satisfied.
BLUEBERRY BBQ CHICKEN
North Carolina chef Vivian Howard calls this grilled chicken her homage to Carolina-style BBQ sauce, but with a blueberry twist. To make Blue Q Sauce, she cooks fresh blueberries down with apple cider vinegar, chili flakes, sugar, and a cinnamon stick. Slathered on chicken, it produces very tasty caramelized skin.
Provided by Vivian Howard
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Sauce: In a food processor, add blueberries, vinegar, and sugar. Pulse to break up the berries into a chunky pulp. Place mixture into a saucepan; add bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, covered, 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat; remove cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Carefully transfer the sauce to a blender. Make sure the lid is entirely sealed to prevent sauce from spattering while you blend. Blend the sauce to a smooth consistency, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high. When sauce is smooth, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl.
- Transfer sauce back to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, uncovered, and reduce by ¼, about 5 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon, and the viscosity should be more like maple syrup than honey. Pour into a container and cool to room temperature. Makes about 2 cups. (Sauce will keep for up to 6 months refrigerated in a lidded container.)
- Prep chicken: Lay spatchcocked chicken breast side up on a wire rack fitted over a rimmed baking sheet. Season liberally on both sides with salt and pepper (about 15 turns of a pepper mill per side). Let rest at room temperature while preheating the grill, 30 minutes.
- Grill chicken: Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat, about 375 F. The coals should be ashed over in some places, with red embers burning within. Move the coals to one side of the grill to create areas of both direct and indirect heat. Place the chicken skin side up on the side of the grill over the coals (direct heat). Cover and cook, 15 minutes.
- Divide the Blue Q Sauce: half should be used for basting, while the other half should be reserved for the final baste and for serving. (If the cooled sauce has thickened too much, simply reheat in a saucepan over low heat, or briefly microwave to return to its original syrupy consistency before using.) Remove the lid. Use tongs to flip the chicken over, skin side down, onto the indirect heat side of the grill. Baste the underside of the bird with Blue Q Sauce, then gently re-position back over direct heat, still skin side down. Cover and cook, 5 minutes. Repeat this process-flipping, basting, and grilling for 5 minutes at a time, covered-2-3 more times, until chicken is fully cooked. (The leg, when tugged, should become loosened from the breast. Alternatively, a thermometer placed in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone, should register 165 F.) Discard remaining basting sauce.
- Remove chicken from the grill and place on a cutting board, skin side up. Use reserved Blue Q Sauce to baste one last time and let rest, 5 minutes. Cut the chicken into 6 or 8 pieces and drizzle once more with sauce. Serve warm or at room temperature with additional sauce on the side.
BLUEBERRY BBQ CHICKEN
I never thought "blueberries" and "BBQ" went together until I tried this dish! We had this during our annual fourth of July cookout and more than just patriotic, this dish was seriously delicious! Good thing its healthy because I had more than one. -Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, bring blueberries to a boil; cook and stir until softened, 4-5 minutes. Mash berries. Add next eight ingredients; increase heat to medium. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until thickened, 15-20 minutes. Remove about 3/4 cup sauce; reserve. Refrigerate, covered, until just before serving. Brush chicken with remaining sauce. Refrigerate chicken and remaining sauce, covered, about 1 hour., Place chicken on a greased grill rack. Grill, covered, over medium direct heat, brushing occasionally with remaining sauce, 8-10 minutes. Turn; grill, brushing with sauce, until a thermometer reads 165°, 8-10 minutes longer. Discard any remaining grilling sauce., Microwave reserved sauce, covered, on high until heated through, 30-60 seconds. Serve with grilled chicken.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 94mg cholesterol, Sodium 1110mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (28g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 36g protein.
Tips:
- To ensure the chicken is cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check that it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before removing it from the grill.
- If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check if the chicken is cooked by piercing it with a fork or knife. If the juices run clear, the chicken is done.
- To avoid flare-ups, keep the grill clean and free of grease buildup. You can also soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to help prevent them from burning.
- If you don't have wooden skewers, you can also use metal skewers. Just be sure to grease them well before threading the chicken and vegetables onto them to prevent sticking.
- For a more flavorful chicken, marinate it in the blueberry BBQ sauce for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- Serve the chicken with your favorite sides, such as grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, or coleslaw.
Conclusion:
Blueberry BBQ chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer cookout. The combination of sweet and tangy blueberry sauce and smoky grilled chicken is sure to be a hit with everyone at your party. So fire up the grill and give this recipe a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love