Asian BBQ Chicken

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyKCMasterpiece #CollectiveBias

Finally it’s here, after all the cold snaps, summer is quietly taking hold. Why quietly? Well because it seems to have been a gradual warm up, the trees are still lazily blooming, and when it generally would be scorching, it’s still just on the cusp of being hot. But it’s our first summer with Hannah being in elementary school and she has been super excited about summer break. I have gotten to remember what is was like all those years ago being on summer break, how I looked forward to it. It is also a bit of freedom for the parents as well; there is some solace in the fact that we are free from homework and routine. I am quite sure though, that soon we will be begging for the routine. LOL.

I think the best part of summer is the fact that we have more freedom to get together with family and friends. It’s the time of sweet tea, grill outs, great food and wonderful quality time spent. Living in Kentucky, the biggest issue we have is not only the heat, but the humidity. So when planning an outdoor celebration, it is important to consider those two things when preparing and planning what to make. Everyone has their favorites that they like to have at a BBQ. I like to throw people a curve ball, something that they never would have considered or thought of that is oh so delicious.

Other than the good times with great people, my favorite part of grilling out is smelling the sizzle of the meat on the grill coated with juicy, smoky bbq sauce all around it. There is nothing like that smell. It instantly invokes feelings of family, friends, and all around good times.

 

I also know that the taste is going to be phenomenal. BBQ sauce can be a personal preference, and it is, but when I am cooking for a large crowd, I want flavors that please a multitude that I don’t have to spend hours creating. I want to take time to enjoy my company as well take pride in what I prepare for my loved ones to eat. Recently, while shopping at Kroger, I found something that literally will transform the way I do BBQ’s and that is KC Masterpiece® BBQ sauce Mix and Dry Rub.

What this sauce and dry rub mix allows me to do, is to create a unique, smoky bbq sauce if I choose, or put it right on the meat and veggies. Or I can rub the meat with the dry mixture and allow those spices to marinate and impart all their deliciousness into the meat. Either way, I don’t have to worry about the flavor, or having all the right spices, and because I know the quality of what KC Masterpiece® puts into their products I know the flavor is going to be all that I am hoping for. I grabbed the Original flavor as well as the Sweet Honey flavor I wanted to try them both! On the box there were simple instructions that gave suggestions about what liquid to add to the mix to make the sauce. Really, that is a starting point, and you can experiment by adding different things to the mix and make a great tasting sauce. I knew I was making chicken breast so I grabbed some and headed home.

I decided that I would go a little Asian in flavors and mixed some grated ginger, orange zest, teriyaki sauce and water to the spices. The resulting aroma from the sweet honey mixture was a smoky heaven.

I knew this would be delish whatever it was painted on. Now let’s get back to how I keep my guests guessing about the surprise element and cool at the same time battling that Kentucky humidity. Today I decided that to accompany the star of the show, I would make a grilled Watermelon limeade. What?! Yes you read that right, grilled watermelon limeade.

When people are BBQ’ing everyone forgets that you can grill fruit. You really can. The purpose of grilling fruit is to concentrate the flavor, and caramelize the sugars and you get a sweeter flavor and the different facets of the fruit flavor are highlighted. I encourage you to try it, and your perspective will change. I grill the watermelon slices, and get good grill marks on both sides. The slices will be very hot but still quite juicy. I place them in a blender with a little sugar, lime juice and blend it all together. I pour it into a beautiful pitcher over ice, and top it with lime slices and watermelon slices. It’s a thing of beauty.

The KC Masterpiece® BBQ Sauce Mix and Dry Rub was a real hit. The smoky sweetness of the spices perfectly complemented my additions. The chicken took on those flavors and delivered a tasty meal that my loved ones raved about. We had a great time with each other and the food perfectly accented that. We laughed and kept cool with our watermelon limeade. Give KC Masterpiece® BBQ Sauce and Dry Rub Mix a try for your next summer BBQ function!

BBQ Sauce Recipe

1/4 cup of Teriyaki sauce

the zest of one orange

the juice of one orange

1/4 cup of water

1/2 inch of ginger grated

KC Masterpiece® BBQ Sauce and Dry Rub Mix (1 packet)

Directions:

Mix 1 of the spice packets with all of the ingredients and stir to combine. Coat chicken with bbq sauce and cook until done.

Grilled Watermelon Limeade

Ingredients:

1 medium seedless watermelon cut into slices, off the rind, reserve a few on the rind slices

1/2 cup of fresh lime juice

3 tbs of sugar

slices of lime

ice

Directions:

Grill over medium high heat each slice, remove and place into blender with lime juice and sugar. Pour over ice and serve.

Bonus: click here to find a coupon for $1.00 off 1 KC Masterpiece® BBQ Sauce Mix and Dry Rub if you use this coupon on your purchase sometime between 6/18 and 8/31!