Montreal BBQ Chicken (Smoky Grilled Recipe)
Montreal BBQ Chicken — Smoky Grilled Recipe
This Montreal BBQ chicken combines a bold Montreal steak seasoning rub with a tangy, smoky BBQ glaze for chicken that’s juicy, charred, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer cookout or using a cast iron skillet indoors, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in 35 minutes.
Why This Recipe Works
- Montreal seasoning — coarse pepper, garlic, coriander, and dill create a bold crust
- Smoky BBQ glaze — brushed on during the last 5 minutes for caramelization
- 35 minutes total
- Works on grill or in oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 tbsp Montreal steak seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s or your favorite)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
How to Make It
Step 1 — Rub chicken with olive oil and Montreal seasoning. Let sit 15 minutes (or overnight in fridge).
Step 2 — Grill: Medium-high heat, 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F). Oven: 425°F on a wire rack for 30–35 minutes.
Step 3 — Mix BBQ sauce, vinegar, and smoked paprika. Brush on chicken during last 5 minutes. Let glaze caramelize — don’t move the chicken.
Step 4 — Rest 5 minutes. Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Montreal steak seasoning?
A coarse blend of black pepper, garlic, coriander, dill, red pepper flakes, and salt. McCormick’s version is the most common. It works on chicken just as well as steak.
Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes — grill boneless thighs 5 minutes per side, breasts 6–7 minutes per side. Reduce oven time by 10 minutes.
Can I make Montreal BBQ chicken in an air fryer?
Yes — 380°F for 20 minutes, flip at 10 minutes. Brush with glaze at 15 minutes for the last 5.
What BBQ sauce works best?
Smoky-sweet sauces (Sweet Baby Ray’s, Stubb’s Original) pair best with Montreal seasoning. Avoid vinegar-heavy Carolina-style — it clashes with the seasoning.
Can I use this on wings?
Yes — Montreal BBQ wings are incredible. Grill or bake at 425°F for 25 minutes, glaze in the last 5.
How to prevent BBQ sauce from burning?
Only add the glaze in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Sugar in BBQ sauce caramelizes quickly and burns if applied too early.
What sides pair well?
Corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, potato salad — classic cookout sides.
Can I meal prep this?
Yes — grilled chicken stores 4 days refrigerated. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes to keep the skin crispy.
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Montreal BBQ Chicken
Tender, juicy chicken infused with a unique blend of Montreal chicken seasoning, olive oil, and spices, grilled to perfection. This iconic dish is a celebration of Montreal’s culinary heritage, combining sweet, savory, and smoky flavors in perfect harmony.
Ingredients
- Fresh chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- Montreal chicken seasoning
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Fresh herbs for garnish
Directions
- Start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the Montreal chicken seasoning, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and generously coat them with the marinade.
- Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
