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1
Place the bacon in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes.
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2
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a small bowl; set aside.
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3
Reduce the heat to medium low, add the onion to the pan, and cook it in the bacon fat, stirring occasionally until softened, about 3 minutes.
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4
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds.
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5
Whisk in the remaining measured ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
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6
Stir in the reserved bacon, increase the heat to medium high, and bring the mixture to a boil.
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7
Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and holds a line on the back of a wooden spoon when you drag a finger through it, about 25 minutes.
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8
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
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9
Equally divide the sauce between 2 small bowls and set it aside to cool to room temperature (1 bowl will be for serving, the other for brushing onto the chicken while it cooks on the grill).
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10
Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium (about 350 degrees F to 450 degrees F).
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11
Meanwhile, if youre using chicken breasts (either boneless or bone-in), cut them in half crosswise.
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12
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and place on a baking sheet.
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13
Coat them all over with the oil and season with salt and pepper.
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14
When the grill is ready, place the chicken on it (skin-side down if using skin-on), cover the grill, and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 5 minutes.
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15
Flip the chicken pieces, cover the grill, and cook until grill marks appear on the second side, about 5 minutes more.
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16
Flip the chicken again and generously brush the pieces using the bowl of sauce set aside for the chicken.
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17
Cover the grill and cook for 5 minutes.
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18
Flip and brush the chicken, and then continue to flip and brush every 5 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest piece reads 160 degrees F to 165 degrees F and the meat near the bone is no longer pink, about 10 to 15 minutes more (about 25 to 30 minutes total cooking time).
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19
Remove the chicken to a clean serving platter and pass the remaining bowl of barbecue sauce on the side.