Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken with Mustard BBQ Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a light beer brine and finished with a zesty mustard-based barbecue glaze for a flavorful crust. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 35 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, lager beer, kosher salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups lager beer, 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp black peppercorns. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve.
  2. Step 2: Submerge 8 bone-in chicken thighs in the beer brine. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from brine, pat dry with paper towels.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup yellow mustard, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil to make the mustard BBQ glaze.
  5. Step 5: Grill chicken thighs skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until skin is crisp and grill marks appear. Flip and brush generously with mustard BBQ glaze.
  6. Step 6: Continue grilling for another 6-7 minutes, basting with glaze every 2 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and glaze is caramelized.
  7. Step 7: Remove chicken from grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving with extra glaze on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken with Mustard BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken with Mustard BBQ Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lager beer from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken with Mustard BBQ Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken with Mustard BBQ Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken with Mustard BBQ Glaze?

American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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