Tuscan Fire Chicken BBQ Recipe | Italian & Aromatic

Toscana Fire chicken is Italian comfort food from the grill. The Toscana Fire BBQ Rub — with roasted fennel seeds, smoked paprika, and cayenne — gives chicken thighs an aromatic, slightly spicy bark reminiscent of the best Italian grilled chicken. Simple, quick, and impressive.

What do you need?

  • 6–8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
  • 40–50g Toscana Fire BBQ Rub
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • BBQ or oven
  • Meat thermometer

Preparation

Mix the Toscana Fire BBQ Rub with olive oil and lemon juice to form a marinade. Rub generously over the chicken thighs — also under the skin. Marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.

BBQ preparation

  1. Preheat the BBQ to indirect heat: 180–200°C.
  2. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on the grate.
  3. Cook for 35–45 minutes until a core temperature of 80°C.
  4. For the last 5 minutes, place directly over the coals for crispy skin.
  5. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Oven preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (convection).
  2. Place the chicken thighs on a rack above a baking sheet.
  3. Cook for 35–40 minutes until a core temperature of 80°C.
  4. Turn on the broiler for the last 5 minutes for crispy skin.

Tips

  • Olive wood or cherry wood pairs perfectly with the Mediterranean notes of Toscana Fire
  • Lemon wedges on the side when serving enhance the fennel and herbal notes
  • A core temperature of 80°C provides the best combination of doneness and juiciness

Serving

Serve with grilled zucchini, roasted tomatoes, and fresh bread. Or as part of an Italian BBQ buffet with antipasti.

Order the Toscana Fire BBQ Rub
Also check out the Toscana Fire Pork Recipe
All about Toscana Fire Rub — flavor profile & tips
Discover more flavors with the Starter Pack

Want to learn more about BBQ techniques?

Core temperatures for BBQ — complete overview
What smoking wood to use? Hickory, apple, cherry, and mesquite explained
How to use a meat thermometer?