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We were so looking forward to the long July 4th weekend and getting together with my sister and her family for a small casual backyard bash. It’s grilling season, and we planned to have Dr Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ Chicken, baked beans and a green salad with our choice of Dr Pepper for drinks.
Since I was buying the chicken for my Dr Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ Chicken (say that 3 times fast), I headed to Walmart to pick up the Dr Pepper, chicken and party supplies, and headed back home, fully stocked, ready to take to my sister’s house the next day.
The next day, while I am packing up everything to take with us, I hear rumbling from outside. Our yellow lab, Rosie, is acting nervous. I look out the window and see black clouds, lightening and thunder! No! This was not one of our usual afternoon thunder showers. This one was on steroids with wind and hail, which sent Rosie into full freak out mode. Poor baby, she is terrified of thunderstorms.
Since there were flash flood warnings, we decided not to drive across town, and planned instead to try to go to my sister’s house the next day. Unfortunately the next day was a carbon copy of the previous day, and tomorrow was back to work.
Since it was just the Hubs and me this weekend, I put on some music, got out a couple of chicken breasts, put the extra chicken in the freezer, and made the Dr Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ Chicken for dinner along with some brown rice and slaw for our indoor version of a backyard bash, complete with Diet Dr Pepper for drinks.
The next Saturday we check the forecast and no rain! Time to throw a backyard bash! We head to my sister’s house, put the Dr Pepper on ice, put on the music, and spend time grilling, cooking, and visiting.
This time we used chicken legs for the Dr Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ Chicken. It was a team effort. I made the sauce until just before adding in the chipotle pepper and adobo sauce. I set aside a small bowl of sauce for my sister, who does not like spicy food. So her version of the sauce would be Dr Pepper Maple Mustard BBQ Chicken without the Chipotle. Her husband manned the grill. I took photos. And Mr. Flavor Mosaic made sure all the food and supplies were unpacked and ready to use!
Isn’t this Dr Pepper Maple Mustard BBQ Chicken gorgeous! The Dr Pepper and maple syrup in the sauce give it a nice caramelization.
Although the name is long, the recipe is easy. The sauce makes this recipe. Start out with a base of ketchup, and add the mustard, vinegar, and worcestershire like other barbecue sauces, and then add the maple syrup and pour in the Dr Pepper. The next step is optional if you don’t like spicy barbecue sauce. However, I recommended it if you like a little spice. Add 1 chipotle pepper and a couple of teaspoons of the adobo sauce (or you could just add the sauce only for less heat or add 2 or more peppers for more heat.) The chipotle adds a nice spicy, smoky flavor to the sauce to offset the sweetness of the maple syrup and Dr Pepper.
What I like about making your own barbecue sauce is that you can customize it to your taste. You can make it a little sweeter if you want by adding more maple syrup and Dr Pepper and you can adjust the heat level by adjusting the amount of Chipotle you add.
We served the Dr Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ Chicken with a green salad and baked beans on the backyard patio under sunny, blue skies! We all enjoyed the delicious food and good company. Even Rosie enjoyed the backyard bash!
What will you make with Dr Pepper for your backyard bash?
Recipe
Dr Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 12 chicken legs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil to brush or spray on chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup Dr Pepper
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1-2 chopped chipotle peppers and 2 teaspoons adobo sauce adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like it
Instructions
- Prepare your grill for high, direct heat.
- To make the barbecue sauce, in a small bowl mix together the ketchup, mustard, Dr Pepper, vinegar, worcestershire, maple syrup, and chopped chipotle peppers, and sauce.
- Coat or spray the chicken pieces with vegetable oil and sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over them.
- Place the chicken pieces skin side down on the hottest side of the grill in order to sear the skin and get the good grill marks. Grill for about 15 minutes. Once you have a good sear on one side, lower the heat on a gas grill to medium low. Cover the grill and cook undisturbed for about 15 minutes.
- Turn the chicken and baste the pieces with the barbecue sauce. Cover and grill for about another 10 minutes. Turn one more time and baste with the barbecue sauce and grill for about 5 minutes or until the juices run clear. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Nutrition
For another excellent chicken recipe, try my Cajun Blackened Chicken recipe:
You may also like my Asian Sticky Chicken Wings.
For another grilled chicken recipe, try this Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich from Life Tastes Good.
Try this Roadside Chicken from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures.
Check out these Sweet Chili Lime Chipotle Wings from The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch.
You may also like Southwestern BBQ Chicken by Recipes, Food, and Cooking.
This post may be included in one of these fabulous link parties and the Weekend Potluck #126.
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
Wow that looks and sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try that sauce!! I’m glad you were able to have your bbq with the family, albeit a little late. Rosie looks so happy!!
Michele says
Thanks Marion! We ate that chicken for lunch and dinner for a couple of days. It was so amazing! Rosie is always happy when all the family is together and she is included!
Lois says
Your chicken looks amazing. I would never think to use Dr. Pepper! Great idea!
Michele says
Thanks Lois! The Dr Pepper works great in the barbecue sauce to balance the spicy smoky chipotle flavor.
Mary Ellen says
These look amazing! I love that you added Dr. Pepper….
Michele says
Thanks Mary Ellen!
Susie Gall says
Thanks for posting this recipe. The ingredients sound delicious and it looks so good. I can’t wait to try it. I love you yellow lab, too!
Michele says
Thanks Susie! Let me know if you try it. Yes. We love Rosie too! 🙂
Stephanie Pass says
I love Dr. Pepper and making chicken with it sounds just heavenly! That chicken just looks scrumptious. I’m so ready for some!
Michele says
Here Stephanie, let me pass you a plate! 😉
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
Wow, I can relate to the chipotle thing. The Hubby has a “wuss” mouth, so I have to be very careful with the hot stuff. This sounds amazing. Kinda fun taking an ingredient and using it a fun and creative way. Nice. Off to pin!
Michele says
Hi KC, it is fun creating a new recipe with an ingredient. Kind of like the Food Network show called Chopped!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
It’s crazy how the summer storms mess up our BBQ plans. Lucky you were able to make this delicious Dr. Pepper Maple Mustard Chipotle BBQ chicken twice in one week. I’ve never thought to use Dr. Pepper in a barbecue sauce, but now that I’m thinking about it ‘why not?’, Dr. Pepper happens to be a favorite in our family.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I’ve pinned and shared.
Michele says
Thanks JoAnne.Yes. Storms can mess up our plans but luckily the chicken was so good we did not mind at all eating it twice in one week.
Paula says
What a great idea and recipe! Love the Dr. Pepper in it!
Michele says
Thank you Paula!
Sarah says
Oh my! what a great idea Michele!
Michele says
Thanks Sarah!
Sherri Jo says
wow does that look and sound delicious! I am going to have to try this one :0) Thank you!
Michele says
Thanks Sherri Jo! If you do try them, you will love them!
Diane says
that look so tasty!!! I love Dr Pepper and Chicken too! What a great combo and recipe!! 🙂
Michele says
Thank you Diane! Dr Pepper and Chicken make a great combination!
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
How creative! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Michele says
Thanks Kristin!
Patty Haxton Anderson says
What a great idea and I loved the stories in your post. The chicken looks so delicious.
Michele says
Thanks Patty!
Mary Bostow says
The chicken looks absolutely amazing!
Michele says
Thanks Mary!
shelby says
Great post Michele! We always buy the Dr. Pepper 10 here. I will definitely have to give your sauce recipe a try soon. Maybe for our house warming party coming up soon! Thanks for the recipe.
Michele says
Hi Shelby, We are Diet Dr Pepper drinkers here. I have to say the chicken was a hit with everyone in the family, except my sister who thought the original was too spicy, but she liked her version without the chipotle. The rest of us thought it was mildly spicy.