Introduction

Bring the bold flavors of Kansas City BBQ to your backyard with these juicy, smoky, and perfectly caramelized chicken leg quarters. The Arteflame grill’s high-heat center grill grate allows for a steakhouse-quality sear that locks in the juices, while the surrounding flat top griddle ensures optimal controlled cooking. Get ready for a finger-licking BBQ experience!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken leg quarters
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 cup Kansas City-style BBQ sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them inside the grill.
2. Stack firewood over the soaked napkins.
3. Light the napkins and wait about 20 minutes until the grill is ready.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

1. Pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels.
2. Rub the chicken with butter for added flavor.
3. Season generously with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3: Sear the chicken

1. Place the chicken skin-side down on the center grill grate at 1,000°F.
2. Sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin develops a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Step 4: Finish cooking on the griddle

1. Move the seared chicken to the flat cooktop griddle.
2. Cook the chicken for about 25-30 minutes, flipping occasionally for even cooking.
3. Use a meat thermometer and remove the chicken when it reaches 160°F (as it will continue cooking off the grill to 175°F).

Step 5: Baste with BBQ sauce

1. Brush the chicken leg quarters with Kansas City-style BBQ sauce.
2. Let the sauce caramelize on the griddle for another 3-4 minutes before removing the chicken.

Step 6: Rest and serve

1. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
2. Enjoy with your favorite BBQ sides!

Tips

• Always let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes to retain its juices.
• Control cooking temperature by moving food around the flat top griddle.
• For extra crispiness, baste the chicken with more sauce and let it caramelize again.

Variations

• Honey BBQ Chicken: Add 2 tbsp of honey to the BBQ sauce for a sweeter glaze.
• Spicy Buffalo BBQ: Mix BBQ sauce with hot sauce for a fiery kick.
• Smoky Maple BBQ: Replace smoked paprika with maple syrup for a sweet, smoky twist.
• Garlic Herb Chicken: Add minced garlic and fresh herbs to the rub.
• Asian-Inspired BBQ: Use a teriyaki-based BBQ sauce for a unique fusion flavor.

Conclusion

These Kansas City BBQ chicken leg quarters are juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection on the Arteflame. Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting a backyard feast, this recipe will be a guaranteed hit!

Best pairings

• Grilled corn on the cob
• Coleslaw
• Baked beans
• Texas toast
• Grilled potatoes