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Homemade BBQ sauce and perfectly smoked chicken breasts are a match made in culinary heaven. This recipe delivers a smoky, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce that complements the tender, juicy chicken cooked to perfection on a smoker. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or preparing a family dinner, this recipe is sure to become your go-to for barbecue nights. Making BBQ sauce from scratch allows you to control the flavor balance- sweet, tangy, and smoky– while the smoker infuses the chicken with deep, rich flavor. It’s the ultimate combination of simplicity and bold taste.

The Chemistry of Homemade BBQ
The secret to great BBQ lies in layers of flavor and temperature control. The homemade sauce combines tangy apple cider vinegar, rich brown sugar, and smoky spices, creating a balance of sweet and savory. Allowing the sauce to simmer thickens it and enhances the flavors, making it perfect for basting and dipping.
Smoking barbecue chicken at 225 degrees ensures even cooking while preserving the natural juices. Brushing the chicken with BBQ sauce while smoking creates a caramelized crust that locks in flavor. Using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees ensures perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken every time.
What is in homemade BBQ sauce?
Ketchup
The base of the sauce, adding sweetness and a rich tomato flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Provides tanginess to balance the sweetness.
Water
Thins he sauce to the desired consistency.
Brown Sugar
Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
Mustard
Brings a tangy sharpness to the sauce.
Spices: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika & Cumin
Create a smoky, savory profile.
Worcestershire Sauce
Adds depth to the sauce.

How do you make homemade BBQ sauce and smoked chicken?
Favorite BBQ Sauce
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups ketchup, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly and develop a rich flavor. Remove from heat and pour half of the sauce into a glass jar to reserve for serving.
Best BBQ Chicken
- Turn your smoker or pellet grill to the “smoke” setting with the lid open and let it smoke for 10 minutes. Close the lid and preheat the smoker to 225 degrees.
- Place the 12 chicken breasts on the smoker grates. Using a pastry brush, brush generously with half of the BBQ sauce (not the reserved portion). Close the lid and smoke for 30 minutes.
- Flip the chicken breast, baste with the remaining half of the sauce and smoke for another 30 minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165 degrees. Smoke for additional minutes if the meat is not at 165 degrees.
- Rest and serve. Remove the bbq chicken breasts from the smoker and let it rest for 5 minutes at room temperature to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve with the reserved BBQ sauce for dipping.

My Top Tips for Homemade BBQ Chicken
- Control the Heat: Smoking at a consistent 225 degrees ensures even cooking and prevents the chicken from drying out.
- Baste Generously: Brushing the chicken with BBQ sauce while smoking locks in moisture and adds a flavorful crust.
- Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after cooking for juicier results.
- Customize the Sauce: When you make your own barbecue sauce, you can adjust the sweetness, spice, or tang by tweaking the sugar, vinegar, or spices to suit your preferences.
Storage, Freezing and Reheating
Leftover Chicken: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350 degree oven until warmed through.
BBQ Sauce: Refrigerate leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Freezing Chicken: Wrap cooled chicken breasts in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired.

Serving Suggestions
- Classic BBQ Plate: Serve with coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread for a traditional barbecue meal.
- Sandwich Style: Shred the smoked chicken and pile it onto a toasted bun with extra BBQ sauce and pickles.
- As a Salad Topper: Slice the smoked chicken and use it to top a fresh garden salad for a lighter meal.
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Why make homemade BBQ sauce and smoked BBQ chicken?
- Flavorful Homemade Sauce: Packed with spices like smoked paprika and cumin, this sauce has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors.
- Perfectly Smoked Chicken: The low-and-slow smoking process ensures tender, juicy chicken with a deliciously smoky crust.
- Versatile and Customizable: Use this BBQ sauce on pork, ribs, or even vegetables, and adjust the spice levels to suit your taste.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can quickly prepare a homemade barbecue feast.
This homemade BBQ sauce and smoked chicken recipe is a surefire way to elevate your barbecue game. With its bold flavors and easy steps, this recipe ensures perfectly smoked chicken paired with rich, flavorful sauce every time. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or preparing a family meal, this dish is bound to impress. Happy grilling!

FAQs
Can I use this BBQ Sauce on other meats?
Absolutely! This versatile sauce works beautifully on pork ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, pork shoulder, and chicken wings or even as a glaze for grilled vegetables.
Do I need a smoker to make the chicken?
While a smoker delivers the best results, you can achieve a similar smoky flavor on a gas grill using wood chips and indirect heat. Alternatively , bake the chicken in the oven and baste with BBQ sauce for delicious results.
How do I store leftover BBQ sauce?
Store leftover BBQ sauce in an airtight container or glass jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it for up to three months.
How do I prevent chicken breast from drying out on the smoker?
Keep the temperature at 225 and baste the chicken with BBQ sauce to retain moisture. Allowing the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after cooking also helps redistribute the juices.
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Homemade BBQ Sauce and BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce
- 1 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Smoked Chicken
- 12 chicken breasts
Instructions
BBQ Sauce
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, add all of the BBQ sauce ingredients. Stir as you bring it up to a boil.
- Turn the heat down and allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes until it thickens. Remove from the heat and pour about half into a glass jar to reserve for later.
Smoked Chicken
- Turn your smoker on smoke with the lid open and allow it to smoke for 10 minutes.
- Close the lid and turn the heat up to 225 degrees.
- Once the smoker has reached 225 degrees, place all 12 chicken breasts on the smoker. Using the second half of the BBQ sauce (not the sauce reserved in the glass jar), brush the sauce all over the chicken breast with a pastry brush. Close the lid and smoke for 30 minutes.
- Flip the chicken breast, brush with the rest of the second half of the BBQ sauce (not the reserved sauce) and smoke for an additional 30 minutes.
- Check the chicken's temperature after 1 hour of smoking; once it reaches 165 degrees, remove the chicken. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes, and then serve with the reserved BBQ sauce in the glass bottle.
Nutrition
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