Oven Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks with Cola Q’ Sauce

To make the brine:
Dissolve salt in cold water. Place chicken in a gallon size ziplock freezer bag placed inside of a large bowl, or place chicken inside of a large bowl (whichever you prefer – but then pour brine over chicken). If using a baggie, squeeze out any extra air and zip bag closed. If not using a bag, cover the chicken with plastic wrap. I weigh it down so all the chicken is submerged. Place chicken in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (I usually do for an hour). I wouldn’t go longer than 4 hours, but that’s me. Do whatcha like.

After the quick bath in brine, rinse the chicken thoroughly and pat it dry.

Rub and Roast:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Spray a roasting rack with Pam and place it on a foil lined baking sheet, or you can line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with Pam.

Combine the rub ingredients, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, pepper, and salt (* only add the salt if you are not brining). Sprinkle the chicken liberally with the rub. Take some melted butter and lightly baste the chicken with it. Pop it into the oven for about 45 minutes. While chicken cooks, make the sauce.

For the sauce:
In a heavy non-reactive saucepan over medium heat combine onion, garlic, cola, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, cider vinegar, the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and dijon mustard. Give it a stir and gradually bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat slightly to keep a gentle simmer going. Simmer the sauce until reduced and thickened, about 30 minutes.

Back to the chicken……
After the 45 minutes is up, remove the chicken from the oven and preheat your broiler.

Baste chicken lightly with the sauce, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes, until it starts to bubble and brown. Every broiler is different, it usually takes about 2 minutes in mine. Remove chicken from broiler and baste again with sauce, this time lay it on a bit thicker. Pop it back under the broiler for a few minutes, until it begins to char in some spots, usually another 2-3 minutes. Broil until it’s the color you like. I like mine spotty black and charred in a few spots.

Try subbing Dr. Pepper, Cherry Coke, or even root beer for Coke. I have never tried diet sodas so I can’t recommend it.