Dry-Rub Chicken with Honey Barbecue Sauce

This Cooking Light dry-rub chicken with honey barbecue sauce recipe was quick and easy to prepare, and we all enjoyed it. I adapted the dry rub to work with what I had on hand, and it turned out super flavorful. We liked the sauce–it was simple and delicious. I served this barbecue chicken recipe with the garlic-parmesan grilled corn on the cob and the sautéed garlicky kale with onions, pine nuts, and craisins.

Dry-Rub Chicken with Honey Barbecue Sauce

Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
• Paprika, to taste
• Steak or chicken seasoning, to taste (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning)
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Honey Barbecue Sauce:

• ½ cup of ketchup
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

How to Make Dry-Rub Chicken with Honey Barbecue Sauce

Season the chicken by cutting each chicken breast in half. Season both sides of the chicken pieces with paprika, steak (or chicken) seasoning blend, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Place on a plate, then cover it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a few hours.

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare the sauce by combining the ketchup, lemon juice, cider vinegar, honey, minced garlic, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper to taste in a small skillet.

Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring often.

Cook the chicken by heating the olive oil in an ovenproof cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken into the hot skillet and cook for 3 minutes, or until golden brown.

Flip the chicken over and slather the pieces with the barbecue sauce, then place the ovenproof cast-iron skillet in the preheated oven.

Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Serve with extra sauce if desired.  Enjoy.