Homemade BBQ sauce transforms budget-friendly chicken thighs into a flavorful dinner. You can add extra hot sauce or cayenne pepper if you prefer more heat.

Ingredient :

• 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

• 1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt, divided

• 3/4 cup ketchup

• 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

• 2 Tbsp. light brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup

• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tsp. Mexican-style hot sauce (such as Cholula)

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions :

1. Prepare chicken:

   If using chicken breasts, place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap on a cutting board. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound chicken breasts to about 3/4-inch thickness. (Skip this step if using chicken thighs). Rub chicken with pepper and 1 teaspoon of the garlic salt.

2. Stir together sauce:

   Stir together ketchup, vinegar, sugar, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt in a small bowl; set aside.

3. Cook chicken:

   Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add chicken, and cook, undisturbed, until lightly browned on one side, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip chicken, and pour in ketchup mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium, and cook, uncovered, stirring and spooning ketchup mixture over chicken occasionally, until sauce thickens and darkens and a thermometer inserted into chicken breasts registers 165°F (at least 170°F for chicken thighs), 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with chicken with sauce.