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Flavorful Indoor Smokeless BBQ Chicken

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A quick and easy indoor smokeless BBQ chicken recipe perfect for apartment living, delivering smoky flavor and tender, juicy chicken without the hassle or smoke of traditional grilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (700 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce (preferably Sweet Baby Ray’s or Stubb’s)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the spices stick and ensure better browning. Trim any excess fat if desired. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly blended. (2 minutes)
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken pieces, then sprinkle the spice rub generously on both sides. Rub it in well to cover every inch. (3 minutes)
  4. Heat a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes until hot but not smoking. (3 minutes)
  5. Place chicken pieces in the pan without crowding. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the bottom is golden and caramelized. Flip and cook the other side for another 5 minutes. (10-12 minutes)
  6. While chicken cooks, mix BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and honey (if using) in a small bowl. (2 minutes)
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low. Brush the BBQ sauce mixture generously over the chicken. Cover the pan loosely with a lid or foil and let the sauce thicken and stick, about 5-7 minutes. Flip chicken once halfway through and add more sauce if desired. (10 minutes)
  8. Check doneness with a meat thermometer (165°F/74°C) or cut into the thickest part to ensure juices run clear. (1 minute)
  9. Remove chicken from pan and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices. (5 minutes)

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning for better sear. Avoid overcrowding pan to ensure caramelization. Cover pan when glazing to trap moisture and prevent sauce from burning. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning sugar in the sauce. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Substitute smoked paprika with regular paprika and a drop of liquid smoke if needed, but use sparingly. For gluten-free, verify BBQ sauce or make homemade sauce. Variations include using pork or turkey, adding chipotle powder for heat, or mixing pineapple juice into the sauce for a tropical twist.

Nutrition

Keywords: indoor BBQ chicken, smokeless BBQ, apartment cooking, quick chicken recipe, easy BBQ chicken, smoky chicken, no grill BBQ

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