Catalan Chicken Quarters

Catalan chicken quarters combine smoky grilled chicken, spicy chorizo, olives, tomatoes, garlic, and warming spices into a rich Spanish-inspired barbecue recipe packed with bold Mediterranean flavor. The chicken develops crispy golden skin on the grill while the tomato and chorizo sauce creates smoky savory richness with subtle spice and depth.

This barbecue chicken recipe remains popular because it transforms simple chicken quarters into a comforting grilled dish with rich Spanish flavor. Chorizo, olives, garlic, wine, and tomatoes simmer together into a thick sauce that pairs perfectly with juicy grilled chicken.

Why Catalan chicken quarters stay juicy on the grill

The popularity of Catalan chicken quarters continues to grow because chicken leg quarters remain tender and flavorful during grilling while absorbing smoky barbecue flavor from the grill. Cooking the chicken slowly while turning regularly also helps create crispy skin without drying the meat.

Another reason this grilled chicken recipe works so well is the balance between smoky barbecue flavor and rich tomato sauce. Chorizo adds spicy depth while olives and red wine bring extra Mediterranean character to the dish.

Spanish-style tomato sauce adds smoky richness

The thick tomato sauce gives these Catalan chicken quarters their signature flavor. Tomatoes, garlic, onion, olives, red wine, and spicy chorizo combine into a rich savory sauce with smoky and slightly spicy notes.

If you enjoy Mediterranean barbecue recipes, you may also like our Chicken & Chorizo Kebabs With Chimichurri, another flavorful grilled chicken recipe packed with smoky Spanish-inspired flavor.

Texture plays an important role in this recipe. The chicken skin becomes crispy and lightly charred while the inside remains juicy and tender. The thick sauce also creates rich contrast against the smoky grilled meat.

The spice blend of cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and black pepper adds warmth and depth without overpowering the chicken itself. Allowing the rub to rest on the chicken before grilling also helps build stronger flavor.

Perfect chicken recipe for outdoor dinners and barbecue nights

These Catalan chicken quarters work perfectly for outdoor dinners, summer cookouts, and family barbecue meals because the sauce can simmer while the chicken grills slowly over the barbecue.

The chicken pairs wonderfully with rice, roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, crusty bread, or fresh salads. Extra sauce spooned over the chicken before serving also adds even deeper smoky Mediterranean flavor.

Proper food handling remains important whenever preparing poultry and grilled chicken dishes. Chicken should always be cooked fully and handled carefully during preparation and grilling. For additional poultry preparation and grilling safety guidance, visit the FDA.

Ultimately, Catalan chicken quarters deliver smoky grilled chicken, rich tomato sauce, spicy chorizo flavor, and Mediterranean barbecue character in a comforting recipe perfect for outdoor grilling and family dinners.

Catalan chicken quarters served on a rustic wooden table with grilled chicken and chorizo tomato sauce

Catalan Chicken Quarters

Smoky grilled chicken quarters with spicy chorizo tomato sauce and Mediterranean flavor.
Couverts4 servings
Preparation 20 minutes
Preparation time:40 minutes
Total time 1 hour
estimated costs pp $7.50 per person
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Equipment

  • Barbecue grill
  • Bowls
  • Saucepan
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a bowl.
  • Rub the seasoning mixture over the chicken and under the skin.
  • Cover and refrigerate briefly.
  • Heat olive oil in a saucepan.
  • Cook the onion and garlic until softened.
  • Add the chorizo, tomatoes, and red wine.
  • Simmer the sauce over low heat.
  • Preheat the barbecue grill over medium heat.
  • Place the chicken quarters onto the grill.
  • Cook while turning regularly until the chicken is fully cooked and the juices run clear.
  • Add the olives to the sauce and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Serve the chicken quarters topped with the tomato and chorizo sauce.

Notes & Wine Advice

Notes

Turning the chicken regularly during grilling helps prevent the skin from burning while creating even crispiness.

Serve Tip

Serve these chicken quarters with rice, roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, or crusty bread.

Variations

Add smoked paprika, fresh parsley, chili flakes, or extra olives for deeper Mediterranean flavor.

Wine Advice

A fruity Tempranillo pairs beautifully with the smoky chicken and spicy chorizo sauce.

Nutrition values

Calories: 520 kcal | koolhydraten: 10 g | Eiwitten: 38 g | Vet: 34 g | Verzadigd vet: 10 g | Natrium: 980 mg | Suiker: 5 g
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Cuisine; European / Spain
Season: Summer
Occasions Family Dinner

Thai Grilled Chicken With A Chili Dipping Sauce

Thai Grilled Chicken With A Chili Dipping Sauce

You will find this recipe quite refreshing and with the dipping sauce it really adds a new element to the whole dish.
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Ingredients

Dipping Sauce

  • 6 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
  • 4 Tablespoons Water
  • 4 Tablespoons Sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon Minced Birds Eye Chilli
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic Minced
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  • In a shallow dish mix the coconut milk, fish sauce, garlic, cilantro, turmeric, curry powder and white pepper.
  • Then when thoroughly combined add the chicken pieces and turn them over in the sauce so that they are completely coated.
  • Cover and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight to let the chicken pieces marinate in the sauce.
  • Whilst the chicken is marinating you can now make the sauce.
  • To do this you place the vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, chili and salt in to a saucepan and bring this mixture to the boil.
  • Now lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
  • It is important you stir the sauce from time to time to prevent it sticking to the base of the saucepan and burning.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool before placing into a serving bowl.
  • When cooking the chicken on the barbecue make sure that the grill has been lightly oiled first.
  • Cook each piece of chicken for 10 minutes on each side or until the juices start to running out of them clear.
  • Brush them with a little of the sauce you made earlier before serving, whilst the rest remains in the serving dish and which people can then dip the chicken wings into if they wish.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry
Cuisine; Thailand

Grilled Chicken Koftas

Grilled Chicken Koftas

You can either eat these by themselves or you can use them as a filling for a sandwich or in pitta bread. If you are going to put them into pitta bread then warm the bread through first by placing it on the edge of the barbecue away from the direct heat source for a minute, turning them over after 30 seconds.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine together the ground chicken breast, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, cilantro, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
  • Then cover and allow to rest in the refrigerator as this will make it much easier to then form the Koftas (sausage shape patties), which you form around a metal skewer.
  • As soon as you have formed the Koftas around the skewer they are now ready to cook.
  • Place them about 3 inches above the barbecue and allow them to cook for around 10 minutes.
  • During this time make sure that you turn them frequently to ensure that they don’t burn and that the meat cooks evenly.
  • As soon as they are cooked you can then serve them.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry

Grilled Chicken Wing With Sweet Red Chili & Peach Glaze

Grilled Chicken Wing With Sweet Red Chili & Peach Glaze

The adding of the peaches into the marinade helps to counteract some of the heat from the chilies.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a bowl mix together the peach jam, the chili sauce, the lime juice and cilantro.
  • Take half of this mixture and pour into a bowl, as you will use this a dipping sauce to serve with the cooked chicken wings.
  • After your barbecue has reached the right temperature and you have sprayed the grill with oil to prevent the chicken wings from sticking place them on it.
  • Grill the wings for between 20 and 25 minutes, remembering to turn them over frequently to ensure that they are cooked through evenly.
  • Only when the juices are running clear from the chickens can you then apply the remaining half of the sauce to glaze them.
  • After applying the glaze make sure that you cook them for a further 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Again you need to turn them over once during this time to make sure that they are well coated with the glaze.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry

Grilled Herb Chicken Burgers

Grilled Herb Chicken Burgers

As well as these burgers being low in fat they also taste extremely delicious. You will know if the burgers aren’t cooked properly because they will be soft to the touch.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Into a large mixing bowl put the ground chicken meat, the carrot, onions, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper.
  • Mix thoroughly together.
  • It is best if you use your hands to do this.
  • Whilst you are mixing these ingredients together then you should have the barbecue turned on or you should have lit the charcoal.
  • So by the time the burgers are made you can then start cooking them.
  • After mixing the ingredients together you should make between 4 and 6 burgers from it.
  • Before you cook them however place them on a sheet of wax paper and let them rest in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
  • Once the barbecue has heated up you must first lightly oil the grill before then placing the burgers on to it.
  • To make sure that the chicken is cooked properly they should remain on the grill for between 12 and 15 minutes.
  • It is important that during this time you turn them over at least once.
  • You will know when they are cooked through, as the juices running out of them will run clear.
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Blackened Chicken

Blackened Chicken

This particular recipe packs quite a punch. You will find that there is not only enough sauce for basting the chicken as it cooks but also to use as a dipping sauce as well.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl place the paprika, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, the garlic powder, lemon pepper, thyme, cayenne pepper, and ½ to 1 teaspoon of pepper.
  • Mix well together then sprinkle over all sides of the chicken and set the meat to one side.
  • In another bowl you place the mayonnaise, water, vinegar and the rest of the sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Once all ingredients have been combined together you put around 240ml of this to one side, which you place in the refrigerator to chill.
  • The rest of the mixture is what you will be basting the chicken in.
  • To cook the chicken place over indirect medium heat on the barbecue.
  • Remember to oil the grill first to ensure that the chicken doesn’t stick to it then cook on each side for 4 to 6 minutes or until the juices that are released by the chicken as it cooks run clear.
  • Don’t forget as you are cooking the chicken on the grill to baste it regularly with the sauce made using the mayonnaise.
  • After cooking serve with the sauce in the refrigerator.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry

Grilled Butter Chicken

Grilled Butter Chicken

This particular recipe originally comes from India and is best made using a whole, which you or your butcher then cut up into pieces. The spices really help to make this dish much more flavorsome.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine together the onion, yogurt, garlic, chili, ginger, coriander, oil and salt in a bowl.
  • When combined together thoroughly now pour of the chicken pieces that have been placed in a shallow glass bowl.
  • Now cover the chicken and allow it to marinate in the sauce for between 8 and 12 hours.
  • Next remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it stand for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Whilst this is happening take half of the butter and melt it in saucepan and let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Whilst the chicken is coming back up to room temperature turn on the barbecue so that you are able to then grill the meat on it at a medium to high heat.
  • Make sure that the grill on which you place the meat has been lightly oiled first and then cook each piece of chicken for 25 to 30 minutes.
  • You must make sure that you turn the chicken over regularly and baste it with the melted butter often.
  • Once the chicken has cooked through remove from the grill.
  • Now place on to a clean plate and pour over the rest of the butter.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry

Shish Taouk Grilled Chicken

Shish Taouk Grilled Chicken

Bored with your chicken kebabs always tasting the same, then give this particular recipe a whirl.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a bowl whisk together the lemon juice, oil, yogurt, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, all spice, cinnamon, cardamom, oregano, pepper and salt.
  • Then add the chicken and toss it through the mixture to make sure that all pieces are well coated.
  • Then transfer to a large plastic bag (resealable kind is best) and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
  • Whilst you are threading the chicken, onions and bell pepper on to skewers start up the barbecue so it has reached the required temperature to cook these chicken kebabs.
  • It is important that you cook the chicken over a medium to high heat for 5 minutes on each side.
  • The exterior of the meat should be golden in color, whilst when you make an insertion in to the meat it should look white inside.
  • Once they have been cooked through properly remove kebabs from heat then sprinkle over some of the flat leaf parsley before serving.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry

Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie Chicken

A very quick and easy meal to prepare and then cook on the barbecue. You can either serve it as the main part of the meal or as a starter.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Season the inside of the chicken using a pinch of salt.
  • Then spear it with the rotisserie skewer before then placing on your preheated barbecue.
  • Make sure that the heat is as hot as possible and then allow the chicken to cook for 10 minutes.
  • Whilst the chicken is cooking in a bowl mix together the melted butter, salt, paprika and pepper.
  • Once the mixture is ready and the 10 minutes have elapsed reduce the heat and baste the chicken with the mixture you have just prepared.
  • Once all the chicken has been basted you can close the lid and cook the chicken for 1 to 1 ½ hours.
  • Whilst it is cooking don’t forget to regularly baste it with the mixture as this will help to prevent the meat from drying out.
  • You know when the meat is ready when the juices run clear after inserting a skewer into the thickest part of the chicken body or when you insert a meat thermometer the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • After the meat has cooked you now remove it from the barbecue and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before then carving it up and serving.
  • Whilst it is resting make sure that you keep the meat covered up.
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Course; Barbecue / Chicken / Poultry

Barbecued Pork Adobo

Pork adobo steak is a bold and deeply flavorful barbecue dish inspired by traditional Mexican cooking. This pork adobo steak uses a rich red chile paste marinade to create a smoky, spicy, and slightly earthy flavor that transforms simple pork into a standout grilled meal.

If you enjoy barbecue recipes, you can also try Air Fryer Chicken Wings for another easy option. For safe handling of pork and proper cooking temperatures, it’s always recommended to follow guidelines from the FDA.

Why pork adobo steak is a barbecue favorite

One of the biggest advantages of this dish is its depth of flavor. The red chile paste marinade brings a rich combination of smoky, spicy, and slightly tangy notes that penetrate the meat during marination. This creates a bold and authentic taste in every bite.

Texture is another highlight. Pork shoulder steaks are naturally well-marbled, which keeps them juicy during grilling. Cooking them over an open flame adds a light char on the outside while maintaining tenderness inside.

Another benefit of pork adobo steak is its versatility. The marinade can be used not only for pork but also for chicken, fish, or vegetables. This makes it a valuable addition to your cooking repertoire.

Preparation is simple but requires time. Allowing the pork to marinate for several hours or overnight ensures that the flavors fully develop. This step is essential for achieving the best results.

This recipe is perfect for outdoor grilling. The high heat caramelizes the marinade slightly, creating a rich and slightly crisp exterior that enhances the overall dish.

Serving options are flexible as well. The steaks pair well with classic sides like beans, rice, or guacamole. They can also be sliced and served in tacos or wraps for a more casual meal.

Pork adobo steak is a great example of how traditional flavors can elevate a simple barbecue dish. With its bold marinade and juicy texture, it’s a recipe that delivers both authenticity and flavor.

BBQ ribeye steak grilled with bacon on a rustic barbecue setup

Barbecued Pork Adobo

Pork steaks marinated in red chile paste and grilled for bold flavor.
Couverts4 servings
Preparation 6 hours
Preparation time:10 minutes
Total time 6 hours 10 minutes
estimated costs pp $6.80 per person
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Equipment

  • grill
  • Mixing bowl
  • Resealable Bag

Ingredients

For the marinade

For the pork

Instructions

  • Spread chile paste over both sides of pork.
  • Place steaks in resealable bag.
  • Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat grill.
  • Remove excess marinade from pork.
  • Oil grill rack.
  • Grill pork about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Turn frequently until cooked through.
  • Serve warm.

Notes & Wine Advice

Notes

Do not overcook pork to keep it juicy. Marinate overnight for best flavor. Remove excess marinade before grilling.

Serve Tip

Serve with rice, beans, or guacamole. Slice for tacos or wraps.

Variations

Use the marinade for chicken or fish. Add lime juice for extra freshness. Increase spice level with chili flakes.

Wine Advice

A bold Zinfandel pairs well with the spicy marinade. A Tempranillo complements the smoky flavors.

Nutrition values

Calories: 540 kcal | koolhydraten: 4 g | Eiwitten: 36 g | Vet: 40 g | Verzadigd vet: 14 g | Natrium: 620 mg | Suiker: 2 g
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Season: All Seasons
Occasions Summerpartys