Description
This fermented garlic-honey barbecue chicken recipe combines sweet, savoury, and mildly spicy flavours for a uniquely rich and glossy glaze. The fermented garlic honey creates a complex, aromatic barbecue sauce that complements the juicy, smoky grilled chicken perfectly.
Ingredients
- 8 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) amber honey
- 3 tbsp (45 mL) fermented garlic-honey mixture
- 3 tbsp (45 mL) unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) gochujang hot pepper paste
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) soy sauce
- 1 whole chicken, 3 1/2 lb (1.6 kg)
- 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) fine sea salt
Instructions
- At least one week before cooking, combine garlic and honey in a clean glass jar. Stir to remove air pockets, seal, and leave at room temperature. Open daily to release gases and rotate the jar. Fermentation is ready when bubbles appear and honey thins.
- In a small saucepan, combine 3 tbsp of fermented garlic honey with rice vinegar, gochujang, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3–4 minutes. Strain and discard garlic solids. Set sauce aside.
- Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Season with salt and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat grill for indirect cooking (heat one side to medium-high, leave other side off). Clean and oil the grates.
- Grill chicken over direct heat, turning frequently, until browned (5–7 minutes). Move to indirect heat, cover, and cook for 18–20 minutes until internal temp reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Baste chicken with sauce and continue grilling over indirect heat, turning until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C), about 7–10 minutes more. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with remaining sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use bone-in thighs for a juicier variation and easier prep.
- Smoked paprika can be added to the sauce for a deeper smoky flavour.
- Gochujang can be substituted with milder chili paste to reduce heat.
- Lemon juice at the end adds brightness.
- Fermented garlic honey improves with time; make extra and store for future use.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
