Savor the sweet and tangy flavors of this Carolina BBQ grilled chicken for your next summer cookout. This simple recipe uses a variation of my spicy mustard barbecue sauce to marinate the chicken and grill it to perfection.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
I'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
If you're looking for a way to spice up your next cookout, this Carolina-style chicken is a great option. It has quickly earned a spot in our regular grilling rotation, and for a good reason.
It's a crowd favorite, and we love to switch up with grilled BBQ chicken thighs and smoked baby back ribs. Pair with an old fashioned potato salad, easy zucchini salad and cornbread for a complete meal.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Mustard BBQ Sauce- This recipe uses my homemade Carolina-style BBQ sauce, which uses mustard and cider vinegar as a base, instead of the traditional tomato-based sauces. This unique combination gives the barbecue chicken a zesty, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor and a vibrant golden color.
- Marinate the Chicken First- Marinating the chicken overnight or even for a few hours allows it to fully absorb the flavors of the barbecue sauce, making it tender, juicy, and packed with flavor throughout.
🧾Ingredient Notes
Use any cut you like but chicken breasts are my preference. But I do have a few notes on ingredients for the barbecue sauce.
- Yellow Mustard- Use classic yellow mustard to get the best flavor. So, skip the fancy Dijon.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- Substitute with rice vinegar or white balsamic vinegar.
- Sweeteners- I used ¼ cup of brown sugar and two tablespoons of honey to get the perfect hint of sweetness.
- Tomato Paste- I find using a paste over ketchup gives the sauce a silkier texture and helps control the flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce- You can also use soy sauce or tamari in a pinch.
- Seasonings- I used garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Cayenne Pepper- Reduce to a pinch for less spice. You can also use hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
⏲️How to Make Carolina Chicken
Whisk the barbecue sauce ingredients together in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes to combine the flavors.
I really, make it at least one day ahead to let the sauce thicken and the flavors fully develop. Let it cool, taste, and season with salt or cayenne until you get the desired flavor.
Marinating the chicken in a tiny bit of sauce mixed with oil is a quick and easy way to get tender juicy chicken. Pour it over the chicken, fully coat each piece.
Cover and refrigerate overnight to get the best flavor, but if you don't have enough time, marinate it for at least 1 hour.
Put the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
In the last few minutes, brush ¼ of the yellow barbecue sauce on the chicken to create a glaze. This helps keep the chicken from drying out and caramelizes the sauce.
Once the chicken is tender and cooked, transfer it to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes before serving with the remaining sauce. You can also shred the chicken and serve it on sandwiches.
🥗What to Serve with Carolina-Style Chicken
This BBQ chicken recipe has become one of our go-to recipes for cookouts. It goes well with so many side dishes, and some of our favorite recipes to serve it with are my old-fashioned coleslaw, gluten-free biscuits, and grilled corn ribs.
For a lighter option, you can serve it with cherry tomato salad, raw carrot salad, or avocado corn salad. It also goes well when paired with molasses baked beans and garlic green beans, and you'll have an interesting flavor combination.
Expert Tips
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking. This ensures they cook evenly and result in tender, juicy chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If your barbecue sauce is too thick, you can thin it out by gently simmering it and adding water until you reach the desired consistency.
More Grilling Recipes
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
Carolina BBQ Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce (Carolina Gold) divided
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- ¾ cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper reduce to a pinch for less spicy
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, combine the oil, salt, and ¼ cup of the BBQ sauce. Pour over the chicken and ensure each piece is coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce (Carolina Gold)
- Heat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F. Clean the grill grates and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.
- Place the marinated chicken on the grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, per side, depending on the thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. In the last few minutes of grilling, brush ¼ of the yellow BBQ sauce on the chicken to create a glaze.1 cup Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce (Carolina Gold)
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving with the remaining BBQ sauce.
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
- Whisk together all the ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.¾ cup yellow mustard, 1 Tablespoon tomato paste, 2 Tablespoons honey, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Cool to room temperature. Season to taste with salt and additional cayenne as needed.
Notes
Storage Instructions
- BBQ Sauce: Store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Leftover Grilled Chicken: To store leftover grilled chicken, place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
Equipment
- Grill, gas or charcoal
Jen Wooster says
This works exactly as written.