Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.75 cup low-sugar BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line your pan with parchment. Note: This high temp is vital for rendering the fat.
  2. Use paper towels to pat the 3 lbs of chicken completely dry. Do this until the skin feels tacky, not slippery.
  3. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  4. Coat every inch of the chicken with the dry rub. Note: Press it in so it sticks.
  5. Place chicken skin side up and bake for 25 minutes until the skin starts to look golden and the fat is bubbling.
  6. While baking, whisk the 0.75 cup BBQ sauce, vinegar, and liquid smoke.
  7. Brush a thin layer of sauce over the chicken. Bake 10 mins until the sauce begins to set.
  8. Apply another layer of sauce. Bake for the final 10 minutes until the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
  9. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes until the juices settle back into the meat.