Sweet & Savory BBQ Chicken Recipe

Why You’ll Love This this Sweet & Savory BBQ Chicken

This BBQ chicken recipe is basically foolproof magic in a bowl – you literally dump everything together and let your oven, stovetop, or even microwave do the heavy lifting.

The secret weapon here is that Colman’s English mustard powder, which sounds fancy but really just means your chicken will taste like it came from a restaurant instead of, well, a Tuesday night panic dinner.

You’ll get this gorgeous dark orange sauce that clings to every piece of chicken, creating the perfect balance of sweet tomato and savory soy that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with those complicated recipes that require actual skill.

Ingredients List

This recipe keeps things invigoratingly simple with ingredients you probably already have lurking in your pantry, plus some fresh basics that won’t break the bank.

• 1 chicken, jointed or 2 lbs breast fillet
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 4 tablespoons tomato puree or tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Colman’s English mustard powder
• 2 tablespoons rich soy sauce or ketjap manis
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon marine salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry

A few things worth mentioning about keeping this on the healthier side:

• You can swap the chicken breast for thighs if you want more flavor, though thighs do pack more calories and fat
• That tablespoon of olive oil is doing good work here, giving you healthy fats without going overboard
• The soy sauce brings serious sodium to the party, so if you’re watching salt intake, maybe use a low-sodium version
• Sugar’s minimal here, just enough to balance the savory elements without turning this into dessert
• Marine salt sounds fancy but it’s basically just sea salt with extra minerals, so regular salt works fine if that’s what you’ve got

Step by Step Directions

The beauty of this BBQ chicken recipe lies in its simplicity – everything goes into one bowl, gets mixed together, and then cooks using whatever method suits your schedule.

• Mix everything together: Combine the chicken pieces, chopped onion, crushed garlic, tomato puree, Colman’s English mustard powder, soy sauce, black pepper, marine salt, olive oil, sugar, and dry sherry in a large bowl until well combined. For thorough mixing of marinades and sauces, a professional stand mixer can help achieve consistent results when preparing larger batches.
• Check the color: Look for a dark orangey color when mixing – add more tomato puree if the mixture appears too dark.

• Choose your cooking method:
• Microwave: Transfer to a covered casserole dish and cook on high for 10 minutes, then let stand for 5 minutes.
• Oven: Bake in a covered dish at your preferred temperature until chicken is cooked through.
• Stovetop: Cook in a covered pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Grill/BBQ: Cook directly on the grill for a different texture (this won’t produce the same sauce as other methods).
• Serve: Pair with basmati rice and peas for a complete meal.

Substitutions and Variations

• Different cuts of chicken work beautifully here – thighs stay juicier than breasts, drumsticks take longer to cook, and wings become absolutely addictive finger food.
• Vegetarian twist using firm tofu or cauliflower florets, though you’ll want to reduce the cooking time considerably so everything doesn’t turn to mush.
• Honey instead of sugar adds a lovely floral note, or brown sugar gives you deeper molasses flavors that complement the BBQ atmosphere perfectly.

Additional Things to Serve With This Dish

This dish pairs beautifully with so many sides that you’ll probably end up making it a regular weeknight rotation.

• Basmati rice – the recipe creator’s go-to choice, and honestly, those long grains soak up that saucy goodness like little flavor sponges.
• Garlic mashed potatoes create the ultimate comfort food combo, especially when you let that BBQ sauce pool in the creamy valleys.
• Grilled corn on the cob brings out the smoky BBQ atmosphere, even if you’re cooking this indoors on a rainy Tuesday.
• Coleslaw with a tangy dressing cuts through all that rich, saucy chicken and adds a revitalizing crunch that makes your mouth happy.
• Roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus – because we all need to pretend we’re eating healthy sometimes.
• Crusty bread or dinner rolls for sopping up every last drop of sauce, because letting that liquid gold go to waste should be illegal.
• Simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette provides a bright, acidic contrast that keeps each bite interesting.

Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)

Here’s where I share the little secrets that turn this already foolproof recipe into something that’ll make your kitchen smell like absolute heaven.

• Don’t skip the standing time – whether you microwave, bake, or stovetop this beauty, letting it rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking allows all those flavors to meld together like old friends at a reunion.
• Taste and adjust as you go – that dark orangey color the recipe mentions is your visual cue, but your taste buds are the real judge, so add a pinch more sugar if it’s too tangy, or another splash of soy sauce if you want more depth.
• Double the recipe without shame – this sauce is liquid gold, and you’ll want leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, trust me on this one.
• Choose your cooking method based on your mood – microwave when you’re lazy and hungry, oven when you want to set it and forget it, stovetop when you feel like stirring and watching the magic happen.
• Save some sauce before adding the chicken – brush it on corn, drizzle it over rice, or use it as a dipping sauce because why should the chicken have all the fun.
• Room temperature ingredients mix better – take that chicken out of the fridge 15 minutes early, and your marinade will coat everything more evenly.
• Slice onions thinner than you think – they’ll practically melt into the sauce and create this incredible depth without any chunky surprises.

Nutritional Facts

This BBQ chicken recipe delivers a solid balance of protein and flavor while keeping calories reasonable, especially when you pair it with the suggested basmati rice and peas.

• Calories per serving – approximately 280-320 calories (based on 4 servings using chicken breast)
• Protein powerhouse – each serving packs 35-40 grams of lean protein, perfect for muscle maintenance and keeping you satisfied
• Low carb friendly – only 8-10 grams of carbs per serving from the sauce ingredients, making it keto-compatible when served without rice
• Sodium content – moderate at 650-750mg per serving due to soy sauce and salt (about 30% of daily recommended intake)
• Sugar impact – minimal added sugar at just 1 teaspoon for the entire recipe, roughly 1 gram per serving
• Healthy fats – 12-15 grams from the olive oil and natural chicken fats, supporting nutrient absorption
• Vitamin boost – garlic and onions provide vitamin C, B6, and manganese, while tomato puree adds lycopene and vitamin K
• Iron content – approximately 1.5-2mg per serving from the chicken and soy sauce
• Cholesterol – 85-95mg per serving from chicken (well within healthy limits)
• Fiber – 1-2 grams from onions and tomato puree, though serving with vegetables bumps this up considerably

Fun “Did You Know?”

Beyond the impressive nutritional profile, this BBQ chicken recipe carries some fascinating culinary secrets that’ll make you appreciate every bite even more. Did you know that Colman’s English mustard powder – the “KEY ingredient” mentioned in this recipe – was first created in 1814 by Jeremiah Colman in Norwich, England, and it’s still made using the same traditional stone-grinding methods today? The dark orangey color you’re looking for when mixing indicates the perfect balance of lycopene from tomatoes and capsaicin compounds. This combination creates umami depth that transforms ordinary chicken into restaurant-quality BBQ without traditional smoking methods.