Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (2024)

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This Alabama white bbq sauce chicken is a tangy, creamy riff on classic barbecue chicken. Classic barbecue sauce gets an unconventional twist, with creamy mayo, zesty horseradish, and loads of savoury goodness. Brushed on seasoned grilled chicken, you may never look to regular barbecue sauce again! The best part is, the sauce requires no cooking!

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (1)
Jump to:
  • What Is Alabama White BBQ Sauce?
  • 👩🏽‍🍳Why This Recipe Works
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 📖Substitutions
  • 🔪Variations
  • ⏲️Step-by-Step Instructions
  • 💭Expert Tip
  • ⭐Recipe FAQs
  • 📝More Chicken Recipes
  • Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken
  • 💬 Comments

What Is Alabama White BBQ Sauce?

Alabama white sauce is a regional barbecue sauce, that unlike traditional barbecue sauce, is mayonnaise-based.

White barbecue sauce gets its iconic taste from good quality mayo, and a punch of horseradish and vinegar. The end result is a deliciously balanced sauce, that is used as a finisher on grilled or smoked chicken.

👩🏽‍🍳Why This Recipe Works

No slow cooking required! Traditional barbecue sauces develop flavour through slow simmering and cooking. This barbecue sauce does not require any cooking, and is still full of flavour!

The sauce is versatile! Not only does this sauce taste delicious on grilled chicken, but it works great as a dipping sauce and a sandwich spread too! This makes leftovers easy to use.

Simple ingredients! Barbecue sauces in general turn pantry ingredients into something delicious. This Alabama white sauce is no different! You likely already have everything you need.

🥘Ingredients

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (2)
  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: I like to use bone-in and skin-on chicken breasts because both the bone and skin add extra flavour, fat, and moisture to the chicken breasts.
  • Spice rub: You will need garlic powder, onion powder, salt, mustard powder, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. If you prefer to make larger batches of all purpose chicken seasoning, you can follow this recipe.
  • Mayonnaise: This barbecue sauce is mayonnaise-based. For that reason, I recommend using a good quality, full fat mayonnaise, that you know and love.
  • Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds a delicious, savoury and tangy flavour to the sauce. I recommend dijon mustard over plain yellow mustard, as yellow mustard is more overwhelming.
  • Prepared horseradish: You can use regular prepared horseradish, or extra spicy horseradish depending on how hot you like your horseradish.

A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on therecipe card, below.

📖Substitutions

  • Chicken breasts: Feel free to use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or a whole chicken broken down for a variety.
  • Dijon mustard: You can use grainy mustard, or brown mustard, in place of dijon. They both are packed with a similar tang and bite.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Plain white vinegar will also work instead.
  • Chicken rub: If you have a preferred BBQ chicken rub, feel free to use it in place of a homemade chicken rub.

🔪Variations

  • Mild: Feel free to omit the horseradish from the sauce, if you prefer a milder version.
  • Smoked: If you have a smoker at home, feel free to smoke the chicken for a varied flavour. If you don't have a smoker but like smokey flavours, season the chicken with a dash of liquid smoke before adding the spice rub.

⏲️Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Work Before Cooking

Collecting all your ingredients -This will make cookingsomuch easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.

Pat the chicken dry - Using a paper towel, pat the chicken breasts dry on both sides. This will help the spice rub adhere, and will allow the skin to crisp up.

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (3)

Whisk together the spice rub mixture in a small mixing bowl. Set aside. [photo 1]

In another medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Alabama white sauce. Keep covered and refrigerated until you are ready to serve. [photo 2]

Liberally sprinkle the chicken breasts with the mixed spice rub, on both sides. Rub the spice mix into the chicken with your hands. [photo 3]

Preheat your grill to 425°F, or a grill pan on medium-high heat. Spray the grill or grill pan with cooking spray.

Sear the chicken, skin-side down, for approximately 20 minutes on each side. If using a barbecue, you can keep the heat lower on one side of the barbecue, and transfer the chicken breasts to the cooler side to continue cooking. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant read thermometer. [photo 4]

Finish the chicken by brushing with the white bbq sauce onto the hot chicken.

💭Expert Tip

Let the spice rub sit on the chicken for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the spice rub to stick nicely to the chicken, instead of staying dry on top.

🍽Make Ahead & Storage

Make Ahead Instructions

You can make this BBQ sauce 4-5 days in advance. It can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container, until you are ready to use it.

In addition, the spice rub can be mixed together and stored in an airtight jar for up to 4 months.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container, in the fridge. The chicken will keep well for 2-3 days.

To reheat, cover with foil and heat in the oven, or the air fryer.

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (4)

⭐Recipe FAQs

Why is it called Alabama white BBQ sauce?

Alabama white bbq sauce gets its name, as it originates from Northern Alabama. Big Bob Gibson BBQ made this iconic sauce famous, slathering a peppery version on their chicken.

Can you freeze white bbq sauce?

You should not freeze Alabama white sauce. Because it is a mayonnaise-based sauce, the mayonnaise will likely separate when it thaws. It is best to make the sauce fresh, when you are ready to use it.

What can I use Alabama white sauce on?

Alabama white sauce is delicious on chicken, pork, or even as a dressing for a homemade potato salad. You can also use this sauce as a dipping sauce, or a sandwich spread too.

📝More Chicken Recipes

  • Grilled Lebanese Shish Tawook Skewers
  • Authentic Spicy Chicken Pad Thai
  • Grilled Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts
  • One Pot Chicken Yakhni Pulao {Stovetop}

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Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (9)

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken

Author: The Sassy Foodie

This Alabama white bbq sauce chicken is a tangy, creamy riff on classic barbecue chicken. Classic barbecue sauce gets an unconventional twist, with creamy mayo, zesty horseradish, and loads of savoury goodness. Brushed on seasoned grilled chicken, you may never look to regular barbecue sauce again! The best part is, the sauce requires no cooking!

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 502 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 Chicken breasts (bone-in, skin-on)

For Chicken Spice Rub

For the White Barbecue Sauce

  • ½ cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Prepared horseradish
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoon Sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Dry the chicken: Pat both sides of the chicken breasts dry, with a paper towel.

  • Prepare the spice rub: Whisk together the spice rub mixture in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.

    1 ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 ½ teaspoon Onion powder, 1 tablespoon Mustard powder, 2 tablespoon Brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon Sea salt

  • Prepare the sauce: In another medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Alabama white sauce. Keep covered and refrigerated until you are ready to serve.

    ½ cup Mayonnaise, 2 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Prepared horseradish, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 2 teaspoon Sugar, Salt and pepper to taste

  • Season the chicken: Liberally sprinkle the chicken breasts with the mixed spice rub, on both sides. Rub the spice mix into the chicken with your hands.

    4 Chicken breasts

  • Preheat: Preheat your grill to 425°F, or a grill pan on medium-high heat. Spray the grill or grill pan with cooking spray.

  • Grill: Sear the chicken, skin-side down, for approximately 20 minutes on each side. If using a barbecue, you can keep the heat lower on one side of the barbecue, and transfer the chicken breasts to the cooler side to continue cooking. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant read thermometer.

  • Brush with sauce: Finish the chicken by brushing with the white bbq sauce onto the hot chicken.

Video

Notes

  • Let the spice rub sit on the chicken for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the spice rub to stick nicely to the chicken, instead of staying dry on top.

Estimated Nutrition

Calories: 502kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1074mg | Potassium: 935mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 543IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Have you Tried This Recipe?Don't forget to leave a comment and a star rating letting us know how it was!

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction

As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or affiliations, but I can provide you with information and insights on a wide range of topics, including the concepts used in this article. I have been trained on a vast amount of text data, which allows me to generate human-like responses and provide accurate information.

Concepts in the Article

This article is about Alabama white BBQ sauce chicken. It provides a recipe for a tangy and creamy version of barbecue chicken using a mayonnaise-based sauce. Here are some concepts and terms mentioned in the article:

Alabama White BBQ Sauce: Alabama white BBQ sauce is a regional barbecue sauce that is mayonnaise-based, unlike traditional barbecue sauces. It gets its iconic taste from good quality mayo, horseradish, and vinegar. The sauce is used as a finisher on grilled or smoked chicken.

Barbecue Sauce: Barbecue sauce is a sauce commonly used as a marinade, basting, or topping for grilled or smoked meats. It adds flavor and moisture to the meat and can vary in ingredients and flavors depending on the regional or personal preferences.

Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy condiment made from oil, egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, and seasonings. It is commonly used in sandwiches, salads, and as a base for various sauces, including Alabama white BBQ sauce.

Horseradish: Horseradish is a root vegetable known for its pungent and spicy flavor. It is commonly used as a condiment or seasoning in various dishes, including sauces and dressings.

Spice Rub: A spice rub is a mixture of herbs, spices, and seasonings that is applied to meat before grilling, smoking, or roasting. It adds flavor and enhances the taste of the meat.

Grilling: Grilling is a cooking method that involves cooking food directly over an open flame or heat source. It is commonly used for cooking meat, vegetables, and seafood.

Seasoning: Seasoning refers to the process of adding salt, herbs, spices, or other flavorings to enhance the taste of food.

These are some of the key concepts and terms related to this article. If you have any specific questions or need more information about any of these concepts, feel free to ask!

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Chicken (2024)

FAQs

What is Alabama white sauce made of? ›

What is Alabama white sauce made of? The key ingredients in Alabama white sauce are mayonnaise and vinegar. From there, the recipes differ slightly, but you'll often find black pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, among other ingredients.

How to use Duke's Alabama White BBQ Sauce? ›

How To Use Alabama White Sauce
  1. Use on Grilled or Smoked Chicken. ...
  2. Slather on a Pulled Pork Sandwich. ...
  3. Drizzle on Grilled Veggies. ...
  4. Use as a Base for Coleslaw. ...
  5. Smother Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
  6. Use as a Dipping Sauce for Everything.

Who made the original Alabama white sauce? ›

A staple of Northern Alabama barbecue, this sauce is primarily a mixture of mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and pepper. It 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.

What is Mission BBQ Alabama white sauce? ›

Alabama white BBQ sauce is a mayonnaise-based dressing that also includes horseradish and cayenne pepper for a good amount of heat. Two packed tablespoons of brown sugar add some sweetness to the mix, while apple cider vinegar and lemon juice provide some flavorful acidity.

What are the two white sauces? ›

Béchamel – milk-based sauce, thickened with a white roux. Beurre blanc – Reduction of butter, vinegar, white wine and shallots.

What is white sauce made of? ›

What Is In White Sauce? This traditional white sauce starts with a roux of equal parts all-purpose flour and butter, which gives the sauce a rich and creamy base. Whole milk thins the butter-flour mixture, turning the roux into a sauce.

Does Alabama white sauce taste like ranch? ›

Is Alabama White Sauce the same as Ranch Dressing? No. Besides being a white condiment, these two sauces really have nothing in common. Ranch dressing is a creamy, herby dressing, while Alabama White Sauce is a tangy sauce with spice.

How do you thicken white BBQ sauce? ›

For a thicker sauce, increase the mayonnaise by 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

How to jazz up white sauce? ›

Add ground black pepper or ground cayenne pepper to white sauce to give it a kick. Add marjoram, beef bouillon powder and a pinch of ground thyme powder for country fried steak or other beef dish. Add paprika, parsley, white wine and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for seafood dishes.

What is the history of white sauce? ›

History of béchamel sauce

Béchamel sauce has its beginnings in Tuscany during the renaissance era, when it was referred to as the 'glue sauce' thanks to its sticky, thick consistency. The creamy white sauce was introduced to France in 1533 by the chefs of Catherina de Medici (wife of Henry II).

Where did Mexican white sauce come from? ›

But that tangy, creamy salsa counterpart you know as 'white sauce' isn't well known, if at all, to the rest of the country. Locals trace its origins to Norfolk in the 1970s and a restaurant called El Toro. “That was the only Mexican restaurant at the time,” said Dana Smith-Clifton.

What is the history of Big Bob Gibson? ›

A native of Decatur, Alabama, Bob Gibson was a big, good-humored man, who never met a stranger. In 1925 he was making a living working for the L & N Railroad, but on weekends he would toss hickory coals into a dugout pit in his backyard and host barbecues.

What does Alabama White BBQ taste like? ›

Duke's Alabama White BBQ Sauce is a barbecue sauce unlike any other, and a longstanding source of pride for the Northern Alabamians who popularized it. This distinctive, zingy sauce marries the taste of Duke's with tangy vinegar, punchy horseradish, and a peppery blend of spices.

What is unholy BBQ sauce? ›

Unholy BBQ Sauce

Baptise your meat with this Mid Western-style sweet, rich, tomato-based sauce with added flavours of orange and fennel. Mix it with your mince or use it as base to your cooking.

What is the most popular sauce at Mission BBQ? ›

Mission BBQ Original BBQ Sauce

This is Mission BBQ's signature sauce and a crowd favorite. It's a classic Kansas City-style barbecue sauce with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors.

What is white sauce vs alfredo sauce? ›

White sauce – also known as béchamel – is made with flour, milk, and butter. It's a basic sauce that can be used as a base for other sauces or as a topping for dishes like lasagna. Alfredo sauce, on the other hand, is made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, and has a much richer flavour than white sauce.

What is the white sauce Americans call gravy? ›

Country gravy, also called sawmill gravy or white gravy, is a staple of hearty Southern cooking. It can be used as a creamy blanket for chicken fried steak or to accompany a plate of freshly baked biscuits at breakfast time. This recipe is a down-home classic that takes just 15 minutes to pull together.

Is white sauce made of cheese? ›

White Sauce is butter, flour, salt and pepper. Alfredo Sauce is butter, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.

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