Grilled Southern Style Barbecue Chicken with Spiced Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a smoky, sweet, and spicy Southern-style barbecue rub perfect for a summer cookout. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, mixing to form a thick marinade.
Step 2: Rub the marinade evenly over 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, coating thoroughly. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the chicken thighs skin side down for 6-7 minutes until grill marks form and skin crisps.
Step 4: Flip the chicken and continue grilling for another 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite barbecue sides.