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Savory BBQ Chicken Recipe Without Sweet Sauce Easy and Delicious

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A smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy BBQ chicken recipe that skips the usual sugary sweetness for a bold, savory flavor. Perfect for weeknights and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Toss the chicken in the spice mix until well coated. Let sit for 10 minutes if possible.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. When shimmering, place chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 4-5 minutes without moving.
  3. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown but not fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional), and ¼ cup water. Stir well, scraping browned bits from the pan. Simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens and deepens in color.
  5. Return chicken to the pan, nestle into the sauce, spoon sauce over top. Cover loosely and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 12-15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Remove lid and simmer for another 2-3 minutes if a thicker sauce is desired. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
  7. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the chicken.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for better searing. Do not crowd the pan to avoid steaming. Use medium-high heat for searing and low heat for simmering sauce. Let sauce simmer to thicken and deepen flavor. Sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce brand. For soy allergy, substitute Worcestershire with coconut aminos and balsamic vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: savory BBQ chicken, no sweet sauce BBQ, smoky chicken recipe, easy BBQ chicken, gluten-free BBQ chicken, dairy-free BBQ chicken

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/savory-bbq-chicken-recipe-without-sweet-sauce-easy-and-delicious/