CHICKEN WORLD'S BEST BBQ CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl combine the water, salt, brown sugar, garlic, and thyme.
• Pour the brine into a 2-gallon sized ziploc plastic bag.
• Add chicken; close the bag and refrigerate 2 hours.
• Wrap the slice of bacon around the bunch of thyme and tie with cooking twine together.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat heat about 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Add the thyme and cook slowly 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the onion and garlic and cook slowly without changing colors.
• Add ketchup, preserves, brown sugar, molasses, wine vinegar, dry mustard, cumin, paprika and fresh ground black pepper.
• Give the sauce a stir and turn the heat down to low.
• Cook slowly for 20 minutes to saturate the flavors together.
• Directions for Grilling:.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Preheat oven 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Preheat a grill pan or an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue to a medium heat.
• Dip a few paper towels in oil and rub the grates of the grill to make a nonstick surface for grilling chicken.
• Take the chicken out of the brine bag, pat it down on some paper towels.
• Arrange the chicken pieces on the preheated grill and cook, turn once mid-way, and cook for a total of 10 minutes.
• Transfer the grilled chicken to a cookie sheet and then place in the oven.
• Cook the chicken for 15 minutes.
• Remove chicken from the oven and brush liberally, coating every inch of the legs with the barbecue sauce.
• Return chicken to the oven for 30 more minutes, basting the chicken for a second time half way through remaining cooking time.
• Serve with extra reserved sauce.