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Balsamic Barbecued Chicken With Garlic, Rosemary and Sage

Time1 hour 30 minutes
YieldsServes 4 to 6
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To me, barbecued chicken tastes better in the heat of summer than any other time of year. It’s perfect for a buffet or picnic. But to satisfy my taste, I started a quest for a lighter, bronzed rendition of barbecued chicken; no thick, cloying, totally tomato-based sauce for me.

Here’s a barbecued chicken redolent of garlic, sage and rosemary. It’s best marinated overnight so the flavor permeates the chicken. To barbecue, use the indirect method. This means that you have to arrange your fire or heat so that it is hottest away from the chicken, surrounding it but not under it. The chicken will burn over direct heat.

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1

Combine vinegar, honey, ketchup, oil, garlic, rosemary, sage and pepper flakes in food processor or blender. You will have about 2 cups. Place chicken in resealable plastic food bag and pour 1 cup over chicken. Through plastic bag, work marinade around chicken. Seal bag and place in shallow pan. Refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally.

2

Simmer remaining 1 cup sauce in small saucepan, uncovered, 5 minutes. Strain, discarding solids. (Can be refrigerated up to 1 week. Reheat before serving.)

3

Prepare grill for indirect grilling. When hot, toss half of chips on each pile of coals, if using charcoal. For gas, put chips in smoker box.

4

Transfer chicken from marinade to pan; reserve marinade. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill chicken over indirect heat, turning after 30 minutes and brushing often with reserved marinade (use it all), until fully cooked and bronzed, about 60 to 70 minutes. Internal temperature (taken in thickest part of thigh) should be at least 165 degrees. Pass warm barbecue sauce separately.