BBQ chicken, also known as Barbecue Chicken is one of the most popular barbecued meat dishes. Getting chicken to cook perfectly by barbecuing is a task that needs expertise. There are different ways in which chicken is barbecued. BBQ chicken is a favorite food at outdoor gatherings where it is cooked in the traditional way or in the modern ways.
BBQ Chicken Cooking Methods
• Grilling boiled chicken- Chicken is boiled before being grilled. The advantage is an almost zero risk of getting infected with salmonella. But one might have to compromise with the taste as the chicken tastes bland beyond the outer sauced layer.
• Chicken is marinated and roasted before being grilled- This again is a method of cooking to reduce the risk of infection from consumption of unhealthy meat. The chicken is grilled in the last stage, when it is almost cooked by baking in the oven, sauced and then served. In this method, the flavors of the chicken are retained much more than when the chicken is boiled first.
• Foil covered grilling – This method ensures that the chicken is not charred or burnt due to dripping fat while cooking.
• Direct grilling of raw chicken- The chicken is put directly on the grill after being marinated and sprayed with oil. BBQ chicken cooked this way is very flavorful, but health issues are to be considered.
Sauces and Seasonings Used On BBQ Chicken
The juicy irresistible taste of BBQ Chicken is mostly due to the sauces and seasonings used on it. The different types of seasonings that are used on the meat are marinades, rubs and sauces. Marinades such as Southwestern, Caribbean, Cajun, Creole, and Mesquite are used. Salad dressings like Italian, Caesar, balsamic vinaigrette and raspberry vinaigrette also greatly enhance the flavors of the BBQ Chicken. Spicy rubs improve the taste of the meat and helps tenderizing the meat thus helping in fast cooking. The newer coffee rubs are also great flavor enhancers. Authentic barbecue sauce is often used for basting purposes to keep the meat moist while cooking.
Grills to be used for cooking BBQ Chicken
Though ideally charcoal grills are best preferred, gas grills can also be used.
BBQ Chicken Recipes
A large range of BBQ Chicken recipes such as Beered Chicken, Rotisserie Chicken, Chicken Quesadillas, Chicken and Mozarella Panini, and Drunken Chicken are a popular party fare.
