YaYa's Chicken Recipe
Craving that smoky, juicy goodness from YaYa's? This YaYa's Chicken recipe brings the restaurant magic right to your kitchen. Learn how to make YaYa's Chicken with simple steps and bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on, about 2.5 lbs or 1.1 kg
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper optional for heat
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil for bastingLemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
Prepare the Brine
- Mix water, salt, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Stir until dissolved. Add chicken thighs. Cover and fridge for 2 hours. Brine makes meat super juicy. Don't skip it. This step takes 5 minutes.
Make the Spice Rub
- Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, salt, and cayenne in a bowl. Mix well. Taste a pinch. Adjust heat if needed. Rub adds smoky magic. Ready in 2 minutes flat.
Season the Chicken
- Remove chicken from brine. Pat dry with paper towels. Coat generously with spice rub. Press it in. Place in zip-top bag. Fridge 30 mins to set flavors. Skin gets crispy this way.
Preheat the Grill
- Heat grill to medium (350-400°F or 175-200°C). Oil grates well. Set up two-zone fire. Direct heat for searing. Indirect for finishing. Clean grates prevent sticking.
Grill the Chicken
- Place chicken skin-side down on direct heat. Sear 5 mins until golden. Flip. Baste with oil. Move to indirect heat. Cook 15-20 mins more. Internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C). Rest 5 mins before serving.