
Broiling chicken is a great way to achieve a juicy and tender texture, with a beautifully caramelised exterior. This technique involves cooking the chicken at a measured distance from direct, dry heat. For a delicious, sticky, sweet and spicy flavour, try basting your chicken with a barbecue sauce whilst it cooks. You can make your own sauce by combining brown sugar, barbecue sauce, thyme, chilli powder, red pepper and apple juice concentrate in a saucepan and cooking over a medium heat for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a shop-bought sauce.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Prep Time | 5-10 minutes |
Cook Time | 15-20 minutes |
Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
Chicken | 3-4 chicken breasts |
Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, ghee spray |
Seasoning | Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, fresh herbs |
Barbecue Sauce | Sweet Baby Ray's, Sweet Barbecue Broiled, or homemade |
What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Step 1: Prepare the chicken
If you want to, take the skin off the chicken. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, or any other spices you like. Preheat the broiler for 5 to 10 minutes. Place the chicken on an unheated rack on the broiler pan with the bone side facing up. You can brush the chicken with cooking oil to keep it moist if you like.
Step 2: Broil the chicken in the oven
Place the pan under the broiler so that the surface of the chicken is 5 to 6 inches from the heat source. Turn the chicken over when it is brown on one side (this will usually be after half of the total broiling time). Chicken halves and meaty pieces should be turned after 15 minutes. Brush the chicken with oil again.
Step 3: Finishing the chicken
The chicken is done when the meat is no longer pink, the juices run clear, and it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. If you want, brush the chicken with sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Tips for preparing the chicken:
- If you are using a grill, you will need to add sauce more often.
- You can use boneless breasts, but they tend to turn out dry. Adjust the cooking times if you use these.
- You can use any BBQ sauce you like.
- If you are using a broiler drawer instead of a top broiler, cooking times and temperatures may vary.
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Broiling the chicken
Broiling is a technique that involves cooking food at a measured distance below direct, dry heat. When broiling chicken, a broiler pan is used so the surface of the food is a specified distance from the heat source. For chicken, you'll want to make sure the meat will sit approximately 5 to 6 inches beneath the broiler.
First, prepare the chicken by removing the skin and sprinkling with salt, black pepper, or whatever seasonings you're using. Preheat the broiler for 5 to 10 minutes. Arrange the chicken on the unheated rack of the broiler pan with the bone side up. If desired, brush the chicken with cooking oil to help keep it moist.
Place the pan under the broiler so the surface of the chicken is 5 to 6 inches from the heat. Turn the chicken over when brown on one side (usually after half of the total broiling time). Chicken halves and meaty pieces should be turned after 15 minutes. Brush again with oil.
The chicken is done when the meat is no longer pink, the juices run clear, and it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Applying the BBQ sauce
There are many ways to make BBQ sauce. Here is a simple recipe:
- Combine 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 cup bottled barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper, and 1 (6-ounce) can frozen apple juice concentrate (thawed and undiluted) in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and place on a grill or a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Cook for 15 minutes on each side or until cooked. Then, brush the chicken with the BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chicken is done, turning and basting occasionally.
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Finishing the chicken
The chicken is done when the meat is no longer pink, the juices run clear, and it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. If you don't have a thermometer, you can also check by piercing the chicken with a knife and ensuring that the juices run clear.
It's important to let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that the chicken stays moist and juicy.
If you're using a sauce, brush the chicken with it during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This will ensure that the sauce gets nice and sticky without burning.
For extra flavour, you can add 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the broiling pan and stir to dissolve the browned bits from the chicken juices. Then use this as a light sauce on the chicken.
You can also finish the chicken by sprinkling on some fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, or thyme. Just be sure to add them after cooking, as fresh herbs can burn easily under the broiler.
Finally, don't forget to check the seasoning. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
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Choosing the right sauce
Choosing the right barbecue sauce is essential to creating a delicious broiled chicken dish. Here are some tips and factors to consider when selecting the perfect BBQ sauce:
- Taste and Preference: The first step is to consider your taste preferences and those of your guests or family members. Do you prefer a sweet, tangy, spicy, or smoky sauce? Perhaps you like a balance of sweet and spicy flavours. You can find barbecue sauces that cater to various tastes, from mild and sweet to hot and spicy.
- Ingredients: Read the ingredient list on the BBQ sauce bottle or, if making your own sauce, choose ingredients that will complement your chicken. Common ingredients in barbecue sauces include tomatoes or tomato paste, vinegar, sugar or sweeteners, spices, and flavourings such as liquid smoke. Look for high-quality ingredients and avoid artificial additives or preservatives.
- Consistency: The consistency of your BBQ sauce is crucial to achieving the desired coating and flavour. A thinner sauce will penetrate the chicken more easily, creating a moist and juicy dish. Thicker sauces tend to be sweeter and are ideal for glazing, adding a sticky, caramelised coating to your chicken.
- Sweeteners: Different sweeteners are used in barbecue sauces, including brown sugar, molasses, honey, or fruit juices. These sweeteners not only add sweetness but also help the sauce stick to the chicken and promote caramelisation during cooking, resulting in a mouthwatering, sticky coating.
- Spiciness: If you like your barbecue sauce with a kick, look for sauces containing chilli powder, cayenne pepper, or other spicy ingredients. Alternatively, you can add your own spices to a milder sauce or make your own sauce from scratch, controlling the level of heat to suit your taste.
- Brand and Reviews: If you're buying a barbecue sauce, consider trying well-known brands or checking online reviews to get an idea of the flavour and quality. Some brands are known for their unique flavours, so it's worth experimenting to find one that suits your taste.
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought: You can either buy a ready-made BBQ sauce or make your own at home. Making your own allows you to customise the flavour, control the ingredients, and adjust the sweetness, spiciness, and consistency to your liking. However, store-bought sauces can be convenient when you don't have the time or ingredients to make your own.
- Allergens and Dietary Restrictions: Always check the ingredient list for any potential allergens or ingredients that may conflict with your dietary preferences or restrictions. For example, some barbecue sauces may contain gluten, dairy, or specific preservatives to which some individuals may be sensitive.
- Pairing with Sides: Consider the sides you plan to serve with your broiled chicken. Choose a BBQ sauce that will complement the flavours of your side dishes. For example, a tangy sauce might go well with creamy sides, while a sweeter sauce could pair nicely with spicy or savoury accompaniments.
- Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with different sauces and flavours. You can try various store-bought sauces or create your own unique blends at home. You might even create your own signature BBQ sauce that becomes a family favourite!
Remember, the right barbecue sauce will enhance the flavour of your broiled chicken and make your meal a memorable one.
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Serving suggestions
Salads
The broiled chicken breast is a perfect addition to a salad. You can add it to a chicken cobb salad or a lettuce sandwich. The cold, crisp lettuce and vegetables will complement the juicy, tender chicken. You can also add some fresh seasonal fruit or an easy mixed berry fruit salad to the side.
Rice
For a well-rounded meal, serve the chicken with rice. You can choose a healthy grain like white rice or go for a low-carb option like cauliflower rice.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted garlic cauliflower or roasted smoked sweet potatoes would be delicious and healthy sides. You could also steam some fresh broccoli or sauté some green beans to go with the chicken.
Potato Wedges
Try garlic parmesan potato wedges or a healthy potato salad.
Mac and Cheese
For a comforting side dish, try vegan mac and cheese or buffalo mac and cheese.
Other Sides
Other easy side dishes include tomato salad, cucumber salad, or microwave spaghetti squash.
Drinks
For drinks, offer something refreshing and healthy like a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea.
Desserts
For dessert, how about a light and healthy option like a fruit salad or some fresh berries?
There you have it! Plenty of options to choose from to create a delicious and well-rounded meal with your broiled BBQ chicken breasts.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the size of the chicken breasts and how many you are cooking at once. As a rough guide, allow for 3-5 minutes on each side, with the total cooking time being around 10 minutes.
Set your oven to broil/grill on a high heat, around 500°F.
The chicken is done when it is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. You can also use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
BBQ chicken goes well with a variety of side dishes. Why not try baked potatoes, steamed broccoli, or green beans?