Barbecue Chicken

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken
   Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to absorb the seasoning.
2. Make the BBQ sauce
   In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and honey. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Preheat the grill
   Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for two-zone cooking (one side hot, one side medium-low). If using a charcoal grill, pile most of the coals on one side. If using a gas grill, set one side to high heat and the other to low. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
4. Initial grilling
   Place the chicken skin-side down on the hot side of the grill. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is crisp and has nice grill marks. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent flare-ups from the chicken fat.
5. Move and baste
   Move the chicken to the cooler side of the grill. Brush generously with the prepared BBQ sauce. Close the grill lid and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Turn the pieces and baste again with sauce. Repeat this process every 10 minutes.
6. Check for doneness
   After about 30-35 minutes of total cooking time on the grill, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part, away from the bone. Dark meat may need a few extra minutes.
7. Final glazing
   When the chicken is almost done, give it one final brush with the BBQ sauce and move it back to the hot side of the grill for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the sauce. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
8. Rest and serve
   Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest on a platter, loosely tented with foil, for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.