Grilled Chicken Thighs with Beer Barbecue Sauce
Bone-in chicken thighs grilled to perfection and glazed with a tangy beer barbecue sauce that combines ketchup, dark beer, chipotle marinade, and brown sugar. The beer adds depth while the chipotle brings smoky heat to this crowd-pleasing dish. Perfect for backyard barbecues, game day gatherings, or weeknight dinners when you want something special but simple.
Ingredients
- ½ cup French's Tomato Ketchup
- ½ cup dark beerlight beer or non-alcoholic beer1:1dietary
mild flavor change
- ¼ cup Lawry's Baja Chipotle Marinade with Lime JuiceBBQ sauce + lime juice1/4 cup BBQ + 1 tbsp limeavailability
similar flavor profile
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
- 6 small bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed, about 2 pounds
Instructions
- 1
Mix ketchup, beer, marinade and brown sugar in medium saucepan
- 2
Bring to boil on medium-high heat
- 3
Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- 4
Reserve 3/4 cup of the barbecue sauce for serving
- 5
Grill chicken over medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through, turning occasionally
- 6
Brush with remaining barbecue sauce during last 10 minutes of cooking
- 7
Serve chicken with reserved barbecue sauce
Tips
Reserve sauce before brushing chicken to avoid contamination from raw poultry juices
Remove skin from thighs for better sauce penetration and healthier results
Good to Know
Refrigerate cooked chicken up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Make sauce up to 2 days ahead. Marinate chicken in reserved sauce up to 4 hours.
Serve immediately while hot. Pair with coleslaw and grilled corn.
Common Mistakes
Don't brush with contaminated sauce to avoid foodborne illness
Don't overcook to prevent dry, tough meat
Substitutions
mild flavor change
reduce cook time to 15-20 minutes
similar flavor profile
FAQ
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but reduce cooking time to 15-20 minutes and watch carefully as breasts dry out more quickly than thighs.
What if I don't have chipotle marinade?
Mix BBQ sauce with lime juice and a pinch of smoked paprika for similar smoky, tangy flavor.
How long will leftover sauce keep?
Store unused sauce in refrigerator up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months in airtight container.