1-First Step: Getting Started with Prep Let’s dive into making this sweet and smoky chicken breasts, starting with the basics to ensure everything goes smoothly. Begin by sprinkling 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the skin of your 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. This simple seasoning step helps lock in flavor right from the start.

Once seasoned, brush your grill grates with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to prevent sticking and get that perfect char. Preheat the grill to 425 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and you’re all set for the next part.

Keep in mind, this is a great time to mix your sauce in a small bowl: combine 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

2-Second Step: Grilling the Chicken Place the chicken skin side down on the grill and cook untouched for 4 minutes to get a nice sear. Flip it over and cook for another 4 minutes to build that smoky flavor.

Then, move the chicken to a cooler spot on the grill, close the cover, and let it cook for about 20 minutes until it hits an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want crispy skin, pop it back over direct heat for a couple of minutes, skin side down.

At this point, brush on your homemade sauce, close the grill, and cook for 10 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit.

3-Third Step: Finishing and Serving Take the chicken off the grill, brush it with more sauce, and let it rest for a few minutes so the juices settle in. This rest is key for keeping the meat tender and flavorful.

Serve it up with the extra sauce on the side for dipping, and you’ve got a meal ready in roughly 1 hour total time. For more grilling tips, you might enjoy learning about perfectly grilled chicken breasts.