Just because you’re a truck driver doesn’t mean you have to forego the greatest summer activity ever created. Get yourself a portable grill and try out this juicy, spicy, wonderfully sticky barbecued chicken recipe today!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, chili powder and black pepper. Sprinkle and pat mixture evenly on both sides of chicken thighs. Chill, covered, for 30 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine ketchup, maple syrup, molasses, chipotle peppers, Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 1 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Bring just to boiling; reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
  3. Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat.
  4. Arrange chicken on a lightly oiled grill rack, cover grill, and cook 4 minutes. Flip and cook 4 minutes more.
  5. Stir lime juice into sauce.
  6. Brush chicken with some of the sauce, flip and cook 1 minute. Brush sauce on the second side, flip and cook 1 minute more, or until done.
  7. Remove from grill; let rest 5 minutes.

NOTES:

  1. Premix your dry ingredients at home so that you don’t have to deal with all the spice jars in the truck.
  2. Make the sauce at home too before you leave. Refrigerated in an airtight container, the sauce will last a week or more. Just don’t add the lime juice until right before you use it.
  3. This meal freezes well, so you could make the whole thing at home and just warm it up on the road.