America's Melting Pot

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1920s-present - Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama

Alabama White Sauce Chicken

Name: Alabama White Sauce Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 bone-in chicken leg quarters or 8 bone-in thighs; 1 tablespoon neutral oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Grilled or smoked chicken served with Alabama white barbecue sauce, a mayonnaise-and-vinegar sauce associated with Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur.

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Difficulty

Moderate

Prep time

20 minutes

Cook time

45 minutes

Total time

1 hour 5 minutes

Servings

Region

Northern Alabama

Era introduced

1920s-present

Introduced by

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama

Recipe tools

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The Story

Alabama white sauce stands apart from tomato-, mustard-, and vinegar-based barbecue sauces. It is pale, tangy, peppery, and especially tied to smoked chicken in northern Alabama. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur is the landmark most associated with the style, where cooked chicken is famously paired with a mayonnaise-and-vinegar sauce. This home version grills chicken pieces and serves the sauce on the side or brushed on at the end so the flavor stays bright.

Ingredients

4 bone-in chicken leg quarters or 8 bone-in thighs
1 tablespoon neutral oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon paprika
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Equipment

Skillet
Grill
Smoker
Instant-read thermometer
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

Heat grill for indirect medium heat or prepare a smoker around 300 to 325 degrees F.
Rub chicken with oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and paprika.
Cook chicken skin-side up over indirect heat until browned and the thickest pieces reach 165 degrees F, about 40 to 50 minutes.
Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, horseradish, lemon juice, sugar, garlic powder, cayenne, and remaining black pepper.
Brush chicken lightly with sauce during the last few minutes or serve the sauce alongside.
Rest chicken 5 minutes before serving.

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Alabama White Sauce Chicken

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The Story

Ingredients

Equipment

Directions

Community Recipes

Community Reviews

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