Putting BBQ sauce on raw chicken before cooking is a common technique used by many home cooks and professional chefs. The sauce adds great flavor to the chicken as it cooks. However, there are some important food safety considerations when marinating raw chicken in BBQ sauce.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can put BBQ sauce on raw chicken and then cook it. The BBQ sauce will flavor the chicken as it cooks. However, you need to follow food safety guidelines, such as:
- Use an acidic BBQ sauce, like one containing vinegar
- Only marinate for 30 minutes or less
- Cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F
- Discard any leftover marinade
Following these tips will allow the BBQ sauce to add great flavor to the chicken while preventing any risk of foodborne illness.
Does BBQ Sauce Cook Well on Chicken?
BBQ sauce contains ingredients that add delicious flavor to chicken as it cooks. Typical BBQ sauce contains some combination of:
- Tomatoes – adds sweetness and depth of flavor
- Brown sugar or molasses – contributes sweetness and caramelized notes
- Vinegar – brings acidity to balance the sweetness
- Spices like garlic, onion, pepper – provides aromatics
- Mustard – adds tang
- Worcestershire sauce – brings umami savoriness
- Chile peppers – contributes mild heat
As the chicken cooks in the oven or on the grill, these ingredients reduce down into a sticky, sweet and savory glaze on the surface of the meat. The sugars caramelize, the spices aromatize, and the acidity and umami build deep flavor.
BBQ chicken cooked with sauce is flavorful, moist, and tasty. The sauce also provides great visual appeal with its thick, sticky glaze and attractive caramelized coloring. So BBQ sauce certainly adds delicious flavor when cooked on chicken.
Is it Safe to Put BBQ Sauce on Raw Chicken?
Raw chicken always carries a risk of salmonella and other foodborne pathogens. So is it safe to coat raw chicken in BBQ sauce before cooking?
Yes, it can be safe to marinate raw chicken in BBQ sauce – IF proper guidelines are followed:
- Use an acidic sauce – the vinegar/tomatoes help prevent bacteria
- Marinate for 30 min or less – prevents bacteria growth
- Cook to safe internal temp – kills pathogens
- Discard excess marinade – removes contamination sources
Additionally, it’s important to follow general food safety practices when handling raw chicken such as:
- Wash hands and prep surfaces before and after
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for chicken
- Store chicken properly in the refrigerator
As long as these precautions are taken, the risk of foodborne illness from marinating poultry is very low.
Acidic BBQ Sauce Helps Prevent Bacteria
Pathogens like salmonella do not thrive in acidic environments. Using a BBQ sauce with plenty of vinegar or other acidic ingredients helps prevent bacteria growth.
Look for BBQ sauces with vinegar as one of the main ingredients or check that the sauce you want to use lists an acidic pH on the label. This acidity makes the raw chicken a safer environment during marinating.
Short Marinade Times Keep it Safe
Leaving raw chicken to marinate for extended periods allows more time for bacteria to multiply. Limiting marinade time controls pathogen growth.
Food safety experts recommend marinating chicken for no more than 30 minutes before cooking. Some chefs even advise marinating chicken right before cooking so it spends minimal time in the sauce before hitting the heat.
Marinating in the refrigerator also helps prevent growth of bacteria.
Cook Chicken Thoroughly to Proper Temperature
Proper cooking is necessary to kill any pathogens that may be present on or in the chicken after marinating. Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
When cooking BBQ chicken, check temperature in multiple places – thick parts of the meat and near the bone – to ensure no undercooking.
The barbecue sauce caramelizing on the outside of the chicken can make it harder to visually confirm doneness compared to cooking plain chicken. Use a good digital instant read thermometer to eliminate any guessing on whether the BBQ chicken is fully cooked.
Discard Leftover Marinade
Even after cooked, chicken can still harbor some bacteria in areas that didn’t reach 165°F. To prevent contamination, do not reuse marinade that sat with raw chicken.
Some chefs boil the leftover marinade for at least 3 minutes to reduce risk before using as a sauce on the cooked chicken. However, for highest safety, it’s best to discard unused marinade entirely.
Steps for Safe BBQ Chicken
Follow this process for safely flavoring chicken with BBQ sauce:
- Choose an acidic barbecue sauce containing vinegar.
- Wash chicken pieces and pat dry.
- Place chicken in a shallow dish and pour sauce over top.
- Marinate chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or less, flipping once.
- Remove chicken from marinade and transfer to cooking surface.
- Discard excess marinade not clinging to chicken.
- Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Brush reserved marinade over chicken during final 5-10 minutes of grilling/baking only.
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Discard any leftover marinade.
Best Practices for Food Safety
To help prevent foodborne illness when cooking with raw chicken and marinades, follow these recommended guidelines:
- Always wash hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after touching raw chicken.
- Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw chicken.
- Store chicken in a container or sealed bag on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent juices dripping on other food.
- Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
- Marinate chicken in the refrigerator in a closed container.
- Limit marinating time to 30 minutes or less.
- Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Don’t reuse marinade used on raw chicken unless boiled first.
Being attentive to temperature control, marinating times, hygiene, and prevention of cross-contamination will allow you to safely flavor chicken with BBQ sauce before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you marinate chicken too long in BBQ sauce?
Yes, marinating chicken too long in BBQ sauce can be dangerous because the bacteria have more time to multiply. Chicken should marinate for no more than 30 minutes.
Is it OK to bake chicken in BBQ sauce?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to bake chicken coated in BBQ sauce. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. The sauce may caramelize and look done before the chicken is fully cooked.
Can you put BBQ sauce on chicken and grill it?
It’s absolutely safe to put BBQ sauce on chicken and then grill it. Brush sauce on the chicken during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling to avoid burning. Cook until 165°F internal temperature. Be mindful of flare ups from sugary sauce.
Should BBQ sauce be put on chicken before or after cooking?
For food safety, BBQ sauce should first be applied before cooking to marinate for no more than 30 minutes. After cooking, more sauce can be brushed on to glaze and add flavor. Never use sauce from the raw chicken after cooking.
Is BBQ chicken safe for pregnant women?
Properly cooked BBQ chicken is safe for pregnant women. Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Reheating any leftovers to 165°F also helps kill bacteria. Take care to avoid cross-contamination when handling and cooking.
BBQ Chicken Cooking Methods
BBQ sauce adds delicious flavor to chicken cooked by various methods. Follow safe food handling practices no matter which technique you use.
Grilling
Grilling imparts great smoky flavor to chicken. Apply BBQ sauce during the last 5-10 minutes to avoid burning.
Baking
Baked BBQ chicken stays juicy in the oven. Brush with sauce during baking and finish under the broiler to caramelize.
Smoking
For true barbecue flavor, smoke chicken low and slow before glazing with BBQ sauce.
Rotisserie
The constant rotation distributes sauce evenly over rotisserie chicken as it gently cooks.
Air Frying
Air fryers quickly cook chicken coated in sticky sauce to crispy perfection.
Slow Cooking
Slow cookers allow you to safely marinate chicken in BBQ sauce all day before serving.
Delicious BBQ Chicken Recipes
Bring the flavors of summer barbecue to your kitchen with these tasty BBQ chicken recipes:
Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs marinate briefly in a tangy sauce before baking to juicy, saucy perfection. Finish under the broiler for crispy caramelization.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Drumsticks get wonderfully sticky from a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce grilled on.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Top crusty flatbread with tender chicken, mozzarella, red onion, cilantro and drizzles of barbecue sauce for saucy backyard flavor.
BBQ Chicken Salad
Pair your favorite chicken salad recipe with crunchy romaine lettuce, grilled corn, avocado and tangy barbecue ranch dressing.
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Piled high with chicken, pickles, melted cheddar and onion rings, these mini sandwiches make a flavorful fun meal.
BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
All the flavors seal right in these mess-free parcels you can throw right on the grill.
BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes
Heaping BBQ chicken and cheese on loaded baked potatoes makes a supremely satisfying dinner.
BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza
Quick-cooking naan gets piled with chicken, red onions, cilantro and melty mozzarella for an easy pizza night.
BBQ Chicken Tacos
Warm tortillas stuffed with shredded BBQ chicken, peppery slaw, avocado and lime crema taste like summer.
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Rotisserie chicken transforms this creamy pasta salad studded with corn and tomato into a picnic-ready crowd pleaser.
BBQ Chicken Baked Beans
Simmer baked beans with shredded chicken, brown sugar and your favorite barbecue sauce for a soulful side dish.
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Pile tender roasted chicken between toasty buns with crisp lettuce, tomato and onion for classic backyard flavor.
Tips for Best Results
Use these tips to make perfectly sauced barbecue chicken every time:
- Choose bone-in chicken pieces for the most flavor and juiciness.
- Get the best caramelization on the grill by basting sauce on in the last 5-10 minutes.
- Let baked or grilled BBQ chicken rest 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
- Keep sauce warm to brush on chicken after cooking instead of using cold sauce straight from the fridge.
- Use indirect heat for larger chicken pieces to ensure even cooking without burning.
- Charring the chicken before saucing will provide deeper flavor.
- Look for thicker, sticky sauces that cling well to chicken.
- Check for doneness with a meat thermometer since sauce can disguise color.
- Mix sauces or create layers of flavors by using different sauces.
Common Questions
What is the best BBQ sauce for chicken?
The best barbecue sauces for chicken are thick, sticky, tomato-based sauces with a nice balance of sweet, tangy and spicy flavors. Good options are Kansas City, Memphis and Carolina style sauces.
Should you use sweet or spicy BBQ sauce on chicken?
It’s a matter of personal taste! Sweet barbecue sauce provides a nice balance to chicken’s savory flavor. Spicy sauce adds fun heat. Mixing sweet and spicy varieties is a delicious option too.
How long can you marinate chicken in BBQ sauce?
For food safety, only marinate raw chicken in BBQ sauce for 30 minutes or less before cooking. Longer marinating allows more time for bacteria to grow and multiply.
What’s the best way to cook BBQ chicken?
Grilling, baking, smoking, and rotisserie cooking are all excellent methods for cooking chicken with barbecue sauce. The key is applying sauce in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to avoid burning.
How do you keep BBQ sauce from burning on chicken?
To prevent barbecue sauce from burning, baste chicken during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling, broiling or roasting. Cook over indirect heat and keep moving pieces to spread sauce evenly as it caramelizes.
Can you put raw chicken straight on the grill?
It’s not recommended to put raw chicken directly on the grill, as the outside will likely burn before the inside cooks through to a safe temperature. Better to sear or partially cook chicken first before finishing with short direct grilling.
Conclusion
Marinating raw chicken in your favorite barbecue sauce infuses it with finger-lickin’ flavor during cooking. As long as proper food safety steps are followed, allowing no more than 30 minutes contact time, cooking to 165°F internal temperature, and preventing cross-contamination, you can safely and deliciously BBQ sauce your chicken before cooking it to perfection.