Alabama Styled White BBQ Chicken

I have been to most of the 50 states, but Alabama is one of the few I have never been to; yet. I will make it there one day. So, I honestly don’t know much about the state of Alabama at all. I have so few of the states left to visit, but I will make it to all 50 soon.

When I was checking out my culinary library, looking for something new for dinner, I came across a recipe for grilled chicken with a white BBQ sauce. I had never heard of this before. White BBQ sauce, and yes, apparently there really is such a thing, and it is widely popular all over Alabama too, is a mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and lots of black pepper, and just like any recipe, there are many different variations.

White BBQ Sauce was invented by Robert Gibson at Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL, where freshly smoked chickens are pulled from the pit and then “baptized” in a pool of the sauce. This style of BBQ sauce was invented almost 100 years ago. I have been cooking and marinating foods in a mayonnaise base for decades, but I never knew about this or that it was actually a type of BBQ sauce before. Memphis is known for its dry ribs, KC for its molasses, and South Carolina for its mustard in the world of BBQ. The state of Alabama is known for its white sauce.  Who knew? I have now tried and enjoyed all of these BBQ styles too.

I actually marinated my chicken in some of the sauce as well, for about 3-4 hours before putting it on the grill. This made it very flavorful and tender.

Grilled Chicken with White BBQ Sauce

3-4 lbs chicken pieces, bone-in or out

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

3 TBSP apple juice

salt to taste

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 TBSP black pepper or to taste – This recipe is supposed to be peppery, so more is better, if you can handle it.

Combine all the ingredients together and mix well. Coat the chicken on all sides and chill in the refrigerator until ready to grill.

When you are ready to grill the chicken, put it on a hot grill and cook until it is done.

We served our chicken with some grilled corn on the cob and some homemade baked beans and bread too. Delicious! A glass or two of chilled chardonnay was also on the menu, as it usually is. After all, wine goes with everything and makes every meal complete. Any meal without wine is called breakfast. 🙂

Stay tuned. I will be using the rest this white BBQ sauce in another new and exciting way very soon. Just have a little patience, and you will soon see what I create with it next. 🙂

Stay cool, stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.