(NC) While strawberries are a staple of desserts, they can also be a secret weapon for elevating savoury main dishes. Their natural acidity and sweetness provide a sophisticated balance to salty and spicy flavours—and they add nutritional value. 

This barbecued chicken recipe brings bold, smoky flavour to the table, pairing juicy strawberries with chipotle chiles and garlic for a sweet-and-spicy glaze that takes a classic grilled favourite to a new level. 

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Strawberry-Chipotle Sauce 

Prep time: 15 minutes 

Cook time: 25 minutes 

Servings: 4 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb (450 g) ripe California strawberries, stemmed 
• 3 chipotle chile peppers in adobo 
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar 
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey 
• 1 tsp (4 g) kosher salt, plus more for seasoning 
• 10-12 chicken drumsticks, about 4 lbs (1,800 g) 
• Ground black pepper for seasoning 

Directions: 

1. Heat a gas or charcoal grill over medium heat. Clean grill grates and brush with oil right before adding chicken. 
2. Make the sauce: Combine strawberries, chipotle peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more salt if needed. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of sauce in a liquid measuring cup. Reserve the rest for serving. 
3. Prep the chicken: Meanwhile, generously season chicken with salt and pepper on all sides. 
4. Once the grill is ready, grill chicken covered for 15-20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes or so to avoid charring.  
5. After 15 minutes, or when meat starts pulling away from the bone, generously brush one side of the chicken with barbecue sauce. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Turn and generously brush the other side of the chicken with barbecue sauce. Cook, covered, for another 5 minutes. You should use almost all of the 1 cup of sauce.  
6. Once chicken is cooked all the way through, remove from the grill and serve with reserved barbecue sauce. 

By incorporating strawberries directly into the sauce, this dish naturally boosts its nutritional profile without relying on processed additives. Just one cup of strawberries provides approximately 95 per cent of your daily recommended vitamin C intake, according to Health Canada. They also contain fibre, potassium and anti-inflammatory antioxidants to help support your overall health. Their natural sweetness lets you cut back on added sugars, making this BBQ favourite a more balanced, heart-healthy option that doesn’t compromise on flavour. 

Find more recipes at californiastrawberries.com.