Beyond BBQ Sauce: 18 Healthy Ways To Season Your Chicken

Barbecue chicken has been an American grilling staple for decades. There are many types of barbecue sauces, each with a unique taste, and many people aren't afraid to lather it onto not only their chicken, but also ribs, corn bread, and whatever else is available. Some people even choose to make their own barbecue sauce. While your chicken may not be short of barbecue sauce, your barbecue sauce probably isn't short of sugar.

Click here to see 18 ways to spice up your chicken.

Added sugar has turned into a healthy eater's arch-nemesis. People want to know what they're eating, and thus there's been a push for labels to note added sugar. Brands are starting to do this, but the most steadfast healthy eaters may want an alternative. Sure, you can eat your boneless, skinless chicken breasts boiled and top them with something safe like spicy brown mustard or hot sauce, but sometimes chicken calls for a little fanfare. This doesn't mean that it needs to be drowning in a viscous pile of premade sauce. One way to ensure the sugar content of your recipe (whether it's chicken or anything else) is to make your own spice mixes, rubs, marinades, and sauces.

While the following list doesn't completely avoid sugar, you do have the freedom to add as much or as little of it as you'd like if you attempt to create any of our seasoning suggestions. Click ahead to see the spice, rub, marinade, and sauce ideas we think you should try the next time you make chicken.