Alabama White Barbecue: A Creamy and Smoky Chicken Delight
Alabama White Barbecue offers a refreshing twist on traditional barbecue flavors, with its creamy, tangy, and lightly smoky sauce. Despite my years spent living near Alabama in Mississippi, I never had the chance to experience this unique and delicious style of barbecue until much later. Now that my family has tasted it, they wonder how they ever lived without it! The sauce, which is thinner than the typical tomato-based barbecue sauce, has just the right amount of “umph” to elevate the chicken and make it truly special.
This Alabama White Barbecue is a perfect choice for summer grilling, offering the ideal combination of flavors and textures. While the sauce may be different from what you’re used to, it provides a delightful tang and depth of flavor that pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this Southern-inspired recipe that’s sure to become a favorite!
Recipe Details
- Category: Chicken Thigh & Leg
- Prep Time: 24 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 25 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: Serves 4-6
- Calories per Serving: 911 kcal
- Cuisine: Southern
- Keywords: Chicken, Poultry, Meat, Very Low Carbs, Summer, Spicy
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 911 kcal |
| Fat Content | 70.1 g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 23.6 g |
| Cholesterol Content | 257.9 mg |
| Sodium Content | 1390.2 mg |
| Carbohydrate Content | 12.3 g |
| Fiber Content | 0.4 g |
| Sugar Content | 4 g |
| Protein Content | 52 g |
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken pieces | 3 – 3 1/2 lbs |
| Apple cider vinegar | 1/4 cup |
| Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/2 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup |
| Apple cider vinegar (for sauce) | 1/4 cup |
| Salt (for sauce) | 1/4 tsp |
| Black pepper (for sauce) | 1/2 tsp |
| Cayenne pepper (for sauce) | 1/4 tsp |
| Apple juice (optional, for drip pan) | 2 cups |
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken
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Clean and Prepare the Chicken: Begin by cleaning the chicken pieces, removing any excess skin or fat, and cutting them into serving-sized pieces. Set them aside for the marinade.
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Marinate the Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the apple cider vinegar, butter, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and mayonnaise to create the marinade. Pour this marinade over the chicken in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or up to 24 hours, turning occasionally to ensure even marination.
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Bring to Room Temperature: Prior to grilling, allow the marinated chicken to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly.
Grilling the Chicken
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Prepare the Grill: Set up your outdoor grill for indirect heat cooking. Place a drip pan underneath where you will place the chicken, and fill it with apple juice or any other liquid of your choice to keep the chicken moist while cooking. Preheat the grill to 250-275°F (121-135°C).
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Add Smoked Flavor: If desired, soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes before grilling. Drain them, and just before placing the chicken on the grill, sprinkle a small amount of soaked wood chips over the coals. This will create a light, smoky flavor that enhances the barbecue experience. You can continue adding wood chips occasionally as you baste the chicken during cooking.
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Grill the Chicken: Once your grill is heated, place the chicken over the drip pan, not directly over the coals. This will allow the chicken to cook gently using indirect heat. Grill the chicken for 90 to 100 minutes, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade (boiled and cooled), or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 180°F (82°C), ensuring it is tender and golden.
Making the Alabama White Sauce
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Whisk the Sauce: While the chicken is grilling, whisk together the ingredients for the white barbecue sauce in a large bowl. Combine the apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper with the mayonnaise to create a creamy, tangy sauce. The sauce will appear thinner than typical barbecue sauces, but this is characteristic of the Alabama White style.
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Toss the Chicken in the Sauce: When the chicken has finished cooking and is tender, remove it from the grill. Toss the cooked chicken in the Alabama White Sauce to coat it thoroughly. This adds a rich, creamy, and slightly tangy layer of flavor to the smoky grilled chicken.
Serving
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the chicken is coated in the Alabama White Sauce, serve it immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or even some low-carb sides to make a well-rounded meal. For an extra burst of flavor, you can sprinkle a little more cayenne pepper on top or garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
Tips for Success:
- Marination Time: The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will become. Aim for at least 6 hours, but for maximum flavor, try to marinate it overnight.
- Grill Temperature: Maintaining a steady grill temperature is key to ensuring the chicken cooks evenly without drying out. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Adjusting the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the amount of mayonnaise, but be careful not to overpower the tangy vinegar flavor that makes this sauce unique.
Final Thoughts:
This Alabama White Barbecue recipe is a game-changer when it comes to grilling chicken. The creamy, tangy sauce offers a delightful departure from the typical tomato-based barbecue sauces, while the smoky flavor from the indirect grilling adds an irresistible depth to each bite. Perfect for summer barbecues, this dish will certainly become a family favorite.
