Carolina-Style Grilled Chicken with Heavenly Sweet Mustard Glaze
Transform your backyard gatherings with this mouthwatering grilled chicken recipe that's destined to become a favorite. Our Carolina-Style Grilled Chicken offers a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy flavors, thanks to a robust marinade packed with unsulphured molasses, ruby port, and zesty Dijon mustard. The easy-to-make sweet mustard glaze, rich with brown sugar and hints of coffee, provides an irresistible crust that caramelizes during grilling. Taking the time to marinate the chicken overnight ensures maximum flavor infusion, and the result is juicy, tender meat with a delicious outer layer that will keep your guests coming back for seconds. This delightful dish not only pairs beautifully with grilled meats but also tastes amazing on pork chops, making it a versatile addition to your cooking repertoire. Make ahead and store the sauce for up to a month to keep the deliciousness flowing at any picnic or family feast!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsulphured molasses
3/4 cup (measured)
pure olive oil
1/2 cup (measured)
ruby port or marsala
1/2 cup (measured)
Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons (measured)
soy sauce or low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons (measured)
fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons (ground)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon (measured)
shallot
1 (minced)
green onion
1 (chopped)
chicken (breasts, thighs, quarters, drumsticks)
3 lbs (bone-in; your family's favorite)
yellow mustard
2 cups (measured)
light brown sugar
3/4 cup (measured)
strong brewed coffee
1/4 cup (brewed and cooled)
honey
2 tablespoons (measured)
unsulphured molasses
1 tablespoon (measured)
liquid smoke (optional)
1 tablespoon (measured)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (measured)
Tabasco sauce
2 teaspoons (measured)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups yellow mustard, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses, 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (if using), 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, and 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it just begins to simmer. Stir well to combine, then remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour the sauce into a glass jar with a lid and refrigerate until needed.
2
In a large mixing bowl or extra-large ziplock bag, combine 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses, 1/2 cup pure olive oil, 1/2 cup ruby port, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or low sodium soy sauce), 2 tablespoons fresh ground pepper, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 minced shallot, and 1 chopped green onion. Mix well to create a marinade.
3
Add the 3 lbs of chicken (breasts, thighs, quarters, or drumsticks) to the marinade, ensuring the chicken is well-coated. Cover the bowl or seal the ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
4
Prepare your grill or preheat your broiler to medium-high heat. Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and discard the marinade.
5
Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet. Generously brush each piece with the prepared Barbecue Sauce.
6
Grill the chicken over medium-hot heat, turning often, or broil 12 inches away from the heat source. Cook until beautifully glazed and cooked through, approximately 8 to 10 minutes per side. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
7
Serve the grilled chicken hot or allow it to cool to room temperature for a delightful picnic offering.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carolina-Style Grilled Chicken?
Carolina-style chicken typically highlights tangy and sweet flavors, often using a mustard or vinegar base. This recipe uses a mustard-based glaze with molasses and coffee for a unique twist.
What ingredients make the glaze sweet?
The glaze gets its sweetness from light brown sugar, honey, and unsulphured molasses.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
You should marinate the chicken for at least 8 hours, though letting it sit overnight provides the maximum flavor infusion.
What type of mustard is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two types: yellow mustard for the sweet glaze and Dijon mustard for the marinade.
Can I use Marsala wine instead of ruby port?
Yes, the recipe specifies that you can use either ruby port or Marsala for the marinade.
What is the recommended internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Can this glaze be stored for later use?
Yes, once cooled, the sauce can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one month.
What cuts of chicken work best for this recipe?
You can use your family's favorite pieces, including breasts, thighs, quarters, or drumsticks.
Is liquid smoke a required ingredient?
No, the liquid smoke is listed as an optional ingredient for adding a smoky flavor to the glaze.
How do I prepare the glaze?
Combine mustard, brown sugar, coffee, honey, molasses, liquid smoke, Worcestershire, and Tabasco in a saucepan and heat until it just begins to simmer, then cool.
Can I cook this chicken in the oven?
Yes, the instructions include a broiling option where you cook the chicken 12 inches away from the heat source.
What role does coffee play in the recipe?
Strong brewed coffee is added to the glaze to provide depth of flavor and help create a rich, caramelized crust.
Should I keep the marinade after soaking the chicken?
No, you should discard the used marinade after removing the chicken to ensure food safety.
Can I use this recipe for other meats?
Absolutely! The sweet mustard glaze also tastes amazing on pork chops.
How many minutes per side should I grill the chicken?
Grill or broil the chicken for approximately 8 to 10 minutes per side until it is beautifully glazed and cooked through.
Is it okay to use low sodium soy sauce?
Yes, the recipe allows for either standard soy sauce or a low-sodium version.
What type of oil is used in the marinade?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of pure olive oil.
Can I serve this chicken cold?
Yes, you can serve it hot off the grill or allow it to cool to room temperature, which is great for picnics.
What kind of molasses should I buy?
You should use unsulphured molasses for both the marinade and the glaze.
How much chicken does this recipe call for?
The recipe is designed for 3 lbs of chicken pieces.
Do I need to mince the shallots?
Yes, the marinade requires one minced shallot for better flavor distribution.
Is the Tabasco sauce very spicy in this recipe?
With only 2 teaspoons mixed into a large batch of glaze, it provides a zesty kick rather than intense heat.
What should I use to apply the sauce while grilling?
You should use a brush to generously coat the chicken pieces with the prepared glaze.
Can I use ground pepper from a shaker?
The recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of fresh ground pepper for the best flavor profile.
How many green onions do I need?
You will need one chopped green onion for the marinade.
Should the coffee be hot when added to the glaze?
The coffee should be brewed and cooled before being mixed with the other glaze ingredients.
What is the heat level for grilling?
The chicken should be grilled over medium-hot heat and turned often.
Does the marinade contain salt?
The saltiness in the marinade primarily comes from the 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Can I use a ziplock bag for marinating?
Yes, an extra-large ziplock bag is a great way to ensure the chicken is well-coated and saves space in the fridge.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 18 specific ingredients used to create the marinade and the glaze.