Grilled Chicken with Coffee Barbecue Sauce Recipe
A Flavorful Twist on Traditional BBQ
Prepare for a truly unique and rich barbecue experience with this Grilled Chicken with Coffee Barbecue Sauce recipe, which combines the smoky flavors of grilled chicken with a deeply flavorful and tangy coffee-infused barbecue sauce. Inspired by the old west, where hearty meals were prepared on the trail, this dish offers a bold flavor profile that’s perfect for a summer grill-out, family dinner, or any occasion where you want to impress with something a little different.
Whether you’re serving up juicy grilled chicken breasts, succulent thighs, or crispy chicken legs, this recipe will work with all cuts. The homemade coffee barbecue sauce, slow-cooked to perfection, provides a smoky depth with a hint of spice, making it the ultimate companion for tender grilled chicken.
With a cook time of just under four hours, including the time it takes for the sauce to simmer and thicken, this dish will quickly become a go-to favorite. Follow the detailed instructions below to create this crowd-pleasing meal that brings the essence of the old west to your table.
Ingredients
For the Coffee Barbecue Sauce:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bacon | 3 slices |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 1 medium |
| Garlic (minced) | 1/4 cup |
| Ground cumin | 1 tbsp |
| Chipotle chile in adobo (chopped) | 1 whole pepper |
| Brewed coffee | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar | 2 tbsp |
| Red wine vinegar | 1/4 cup |
| Ketchup | 3/4 cup |
| Canned tomato (crushed) | 1 can (14.5 oz) |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1 tsp |
For the Grilled Chicken:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken (cut-up) | 1 whole chicken or equivalent pieces (breasts, thighs, legs, etc.) |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tbsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1 tsp |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1712.8 kcal |
| Total Fat | 112.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 31.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 514.4 mg |
| Sodium | 1585 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 38.2 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g |
| Sugars | 30.4 g |
| Protein | 130.1 g |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Barbecue Sauce
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Render the Bacon: Start by heating a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until they render their fat and become crispy, about 5 minutes. The bacon should be golden brown and slightly crisped but not burnt.
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Sauté the Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and the chopped chipotle chile in adobo to the pot. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll want the garlic to soften and infuse the mixture with flavor.
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Add the Sauce Ingredients: Once the onion is soft and translucent, add the brewed coffee, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, ketchup, crushed canned tomatoes, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir everything together to combine.
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Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer slowly for 3 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and make sure the sauce doesn’t burn. As it cooks, the sauce will thicken and develop a deep, rich flavor profile. You may want to taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary, adding more salt or sugar depending on your preference for sweetness or saltiness.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken for Grilling
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Preheat the Grill: While the sauce is simmering, preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C). Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
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Prepare the Chicken: Pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Drizzle vegetable oil over the chicken pieces and rub it in to coat evenly. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and black pepper, ensuring they are well-seasoned.
Step 3: Grill the Chicken
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Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken, skin-side down, onto the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 15 minutes per side, turning the chicken as needed to ensure even cooking. The chicken should be nearly cooked through after this time.
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Baste with Barbecue Sauce: Once the chicken is nearly cooked through, use a spoon to generously spoon the thick coffee barbecue sauce over both sides of the chicken. Continue grilling the chicken for an additional 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through, and the juices run clear.
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Serve: Once the chicken is cooked and nicely caramelized with the coffee barbecue sauce, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side for dipping, if desired.
Tips for Success
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For a Spicier Kick: If you love heat, feel free to add more chipotle chiles or a dash of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce during the simmering process. Adjusting the amount of chipotle can give you more smokiness and spiciness.
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Alternate Cuts of Chicken: While this recipe calls for a whole cut-up chicken, you can easily substitute with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, breasts, or legs. Just be mindful of the different cooking times based on the cut you choose.
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Slow Cooker Option: If you prefer to make the barbecue sauce ahead of time, you can also prepare it in a slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to low and allow the sauce to cook for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
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Serving Suggestions: This grilled chicken pairs wonderfully with side dishes like roasted vegetables, coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve it with baked beans or cornbread to complete your old west-inspired BBQ meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Grilled Chicken with Coffee Barbecue Sauce delivers bold, robust flavors that take your standard grilled chicken to the next level. The rich coffee in the sauce adds a unique layer of depth that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and the acidity of the vinegar. Combined with the smoky, tender grilled chicken, this dish will have your guests raving. Plus, the slow-simmered barbecue sauce can be made in advance, allowing you to focus on grilling the chicken when it’s time to serve.
If you’re looking for something truly memorable to serve at your next BBQ, picnic, or weeknight dinner, this recipe will undoubtedly impress. Enjoy!
Keywords:
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