Lemon Barbecue Chicken

Directions

1. Mix water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, sugar and vinegar. Pour in sealable plastic bag. Add split chicken breasts to the mixture. Seal bag and refrigerate overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Mix the butter, lemon zest, thyme, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and black pepper in a small bowl.
4. Remove chicken from water mixture and dry with paper towels.
5. Loosen the chicken skin by sliding your fingers gently between the breast skin and the meat beginning at the top of the breast down to the tips.
6. Rub half of the butter mixture evenly under the chicken skin on the meat and rub the other half on the outside of the chicken.
7. Place chicken in a roasting pan. Roast in preheated 350°F oven 40 minutes.
8. In the meantime, combine Worcestershire sauce, mustard, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar and maple syrup in a 3-quart saucepan.
9. Bring the mixture to a boil then simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
10. After roasting the chicken for 40 minutes, brush the chicken with the barbecue sauce mixture. Continue roasting brushing chicken with barbecue sauce every 10 minutes for 40-50 minutes or until chicken is to an internal temperature of 180°F.