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Hottie’s Juicy BBQ Chicken Breast

Tender, juicy chicken breasts seasoned with Luquette’s All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning, seared in cast iron, and finished with a rich, buttery glaze of Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce. Whether cooked over an open wood fire, on the BBQ pit, or right on the stovetop, this recipe delivers beautifully caramelized BBQ chicken packed with Cajun flavor.

The secret is a quick brine, a hot cast-iron skillet, and a generous coating of Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Brine Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15–20 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs total)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1½–2 tablespoons Luquette’s All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar (optional, for extra caramelization)

For the Quick Brine

  • 4 cups water
  • ¼ cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 2 tablespoons Morton coarse kosher salt)

For the Bayou Gold BBQ Glaze

  • ¾ cup Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for basting
  • 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter (optional, for an extra-rich BBQ glaze)
  • Additional Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce, for serving

Preparation

1. Brine the Chicken

  1. Dissolve the kosher salt in 1 cup of warm water. Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water and allow the brine to cool completely.
  2. Submerge the chicken breasts and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. This quick brine helps the chicken retain moisture during cooking, keeping every bite tender and juicy.

2. Prepare the Chicken

  1. Remove the chicken from the brine and discard the liquid. Pat the chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels.
  2. Place each breast between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound the thicker portions until the chicken is an even ¾-inch thickness.
  3. Even thickness ensures the chicken cooks uniformly without drying out.

3. Season the Chicken

  1. Rub both sides of the chicken with olive oil.
  2. Season evenly with Luquette’s All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning, pressing the seasoning gently into the meat.
  3. Sprinkle with the optional brown sugar for additional caramelization.
  4. Allow the seasoned chicken to rest for 5–10 minutes while preparing your preferred cooking method.

Cooking Method 1: Cast Iron Over an Open Wood Fire

Old-fashioned, wood-fired Cajun flavor with a beautiful cast-iron sear.

4. Prepare the Fire

  1. Build a hardwood fire using oak, pecan, or another suitable cooking wood.
  2. Allow the fire to burn down until you have a steady bed of glowing embers.
  3. Position a sturdy cooking grate securely over the coals and place a large cast-iron skillet on top.
  4. Preheat the skillet until hot, but not smoking excessively. Adjust the distance from the coals to control the heat.

5. Sear the Chicken

  1. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, working in batches if necessary.
  2. Sear for approximately 5–6 minutes on the first side until a golden-brown crust develops.
  3. Flip and cook another 4–6 minutes, moving the skillet away from intense heat if needed.

6. Butter-Baste and Glaze

  1. Move the skillet to a gentler section of the fire.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon butter and spoon the melted butter over the chicken.
  3. When the chicken reaches approximately 150–155°F internally, brush generously with Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.
  4. For an extra-rich glaze, combine the BBQ sauce with the optional tablespoon of melted butter.
  5. Turn the chicken gently to coat both sides and continue cooking until the sauce thickens into a glossy, caramelized coating.

7. Rest and Serve

  1. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the skillet.
  2. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with additional warm Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.

Cooking Method 2: Cast Iron on the BBQ Pit

The convenience of the BBQ pit with the rich sear and buttery finish of cast iron.

4. Preheat the BBQ Pit

  1. Preheat the BBQ pit to approximately 400–425°F.
  2. For charcoal or wood-fired pits, establish a hotter cooking zone and a cooler zone.
  3. Place a large cast-iron skillet directly on the grill grate and allow it to preheat.

5. Sear the Chicken

  1. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet.
  2. Cook approximately 5–6 minutes on the first side, allowing a golden-brown crust to develop.
  3. Flip and cook another 4–6 minutes, closing the pit lid between checks to maintain steady heat and add wood-fired flavor.

6. Butter-Baste and Glaze

  1. Move the skillet to a cooler area of the pit or reduce the heat.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon butter and spoon it over the chicken.
  3. When the internal temperature reaches approximately 150–155°F, brush both sides generously with Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.
  4. Add the optional melted butter to the sauce for an extra-rich glaze.
  5. Close the lid briefly and allow the sauce to warm, thicken, and caramelize around the chicken. Avoid direct scorching heat once the sauce is applied.

7. Rest and Serve

  1. Remove the chicken when the thickest portion reaches 165°F internally.
  2. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve with additional warmed Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.

Cooking Method 3: Cast Iron on the Stove

All the bold Cajun BBQ flavor without firing up the pit. The Bayou Gold glaze makes this true BBQ-style chicken, even indoors.

4. Preheat the Skillet

  1. Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Allow the skillet to heat until hot. Add a light drizzle of oil if needed to prevent sticking.

5. Sear the Chicken

  1. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet without overcrowding.
  2. Sear for approximately 5–6 minutes on the first side without moving them, allowing a golden-brown crust to form.
  3. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes, adjusting the heat if the seasoning begins to darken too quickly.

6. Butter-Baste and Glaze

  1. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon butter.
  2. As the butter melts, tilt the skillet slightly and spoon the melted butter over the chicken several times.
  3. When the chicken reaches approximately 150–155°F internally, brush generously with Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.
  4. For a richer finish, stir the optional tablespoon of melted butter into the sauce before glazing.
  5. Turn the chicken gently to coat both sides and allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 1–3 minutes, until thick, glossy, and caramelized.

7. Rest and Serve

  1. Remove the chicken when it reaches 165°F internally.
  2. Transfer to a clean platter and rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Spoon any remaining glaze from the skillet over the chicken and serve with extra warmed Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce.

Hottie’s Tips for Perfectly Juicy BBQ Chicken

  • Never skip the brine. Thirty minutes in a quick saltwater brine helps the chicken retain moisture. Avoid brining much longer with this salt concentration.
  • Pound the chicken evenly. An even ¾-inch thickness is one of the biggest secrets to juicy chicken breasts.
  • Don’t overdo the seasoning. Luquette’s All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning brings the flavor. Since the chicken is already brined, adjust the amount based on how salty your seasoning blend is.
  • Control the cast-iron heat. Cast iron holds heat extremely well. Start hot for a beautiful sear, then reduce the heat to finish gently.
  • Save the Bayou Gold for last. BBQ sauce contains sugars that can burn. Apply it during the final few minutes for a beautiful, sticky glaze.
  • Butter makes it better. Basting with butter adds richness and helps balance the bold Cajun seasoning and sweet, tangy Bayou Gold.
  • Use a meat thermometer. Cooking times vary depending on the fire, pit, skillet, and thickness of the breasts. Cook to 165°F in the thickest portion.
  • Give it five minutes. Resting before slicing helps retain the chicken’s juices.
  • Keep extra sauce on the side. Serve additional warmed Luquette’s Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce for anyone who likes their chicken extra saucy.

The Luquette Kitchen Secret: The cooking method may change, but the flavor doesn’t have to. The quick brine keeps the chicken juicy, Luquette’s All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning delivers that signature Cajun kick, and the buttery Bayou Gold BBQ Sauce creates a rich, sticky finish. From the open wood fire to the backyard BBQ pit or the kitchen stove, it’s all about tender chicken, bold flavor, and a sauce worth coming back for.

From the Luquette Kitchen.