I thought this idea was mine — clever, right? Not really. The Domster actually suggested a blueberry BBQ sauce some time ago. He makes incredible BBQ sauces and can turn out amazing dishes from almost anything. I admire him for that. I often ask him for recipe ideas because he comes up with great stuff. He’s talented, handsome, and single — just saying. The only issue is he doesn’t always cook paleo, and when I eat his sauces my waistline protests. So I decided to create a paleo-friendly version of his blueberry BBQ sauce, and it turned out fantastic.
We enjoyed this meal on RJ’s rooftop — not my view, by the way. You saw my oven door in another post; don’t assume I live in a place with a view like that. RJ’s rooftop is our little hangout spot, nicknamed “Cantina de Rej.” I check in there on Facebook sometimes, unless you’re not friends with me — like Dom and I. He doesn’t have Facebook. Strange, I know. That guy.
Paleo Blueberry Maple BBQ Chicken
5 from 9 reviews
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 lbs chicken (I used tenders)
- 3 tablespoons BBQ rub (I used Cowboy BBQ rub)
- 3 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the BBQ sauce:
- 2–3 tablespoons fat (olive oil works well)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon BBQ rub
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the fat in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 8–10 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, fresh blueberries, maple syrup, coconut aminos, BBQ rub, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture just to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 20 minutes.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
- While the sauce simmers, preheat your grill and prepare the chicken.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the chicken seasonings. Coat the chicken thoroughly in the seasoning so it has a strong, flavorful crust.
- Spoon 1–1.5 cups of the blueberry BBQ sauce into a small bowl. Use a basting brush (or a spoon if you don’t have one) to apply sauce to the chicken while grilling.
- Grill the chicken, brushing sauce onto the tops of the pieces. Turn the chicken when the edges begin to whiten and the meat puffs up slightly. Continue grilling until cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Serve with plenty of the blueberry BBQ sauce spooned over the top.
- Enjoy your meal somewhere with a good view.