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Georgia Gold BBQ Chicken recipe

  • Author: Sophia

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • Chicken Pieces (3-4 lbs): You have fantastic flexibility here! Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like thighs, drumsticks, and breasts work exceptionally well. The bone and skin contribute to flavor and moisture retention during cooking. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs if you prefer, but be mindful they might cook a bit faster and could dry out slightly quicker if overcooked. For a whole chicken experience, you can even spatchcock or butterfly a whole chicken for more even cooking and a stunning presentation.

  • Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): A light coating of olive oil helps the seasoning adhere to the chicken and promotes browning during grilling or baking. You can also use other neutral oils like vegetable or canola oil.

  • Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential for enhancing the flavor of the chicken and the BBQ sauce. Use kosher salt or sea salt for best results.

  • Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a touch of warmth and depth to the chicken seasoning. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its brighter flavor.

  • Paprika (1 teaspoon): Provides a subtle smoky sweetness and beautiful color to the chicken. Smoked paprika will further enhance the smoky BBQ flavor.

  • Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon): Infuses the chicken with savory garlic notes.

  • Onion Powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle oniony sweetness that complements the other spices.

For the Georgia Gold BBQ Sauce:

  • Yellow Mustard (1 cup): The undisputed star of Georgia Gold BBQ sauce! Plain yellow mustard provides the tangy base that defines this unique BBQ style. Don’t be tempted to use Dijon or other flavored mustards, as they will alter the classic flavor profile.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar (1/2 cup): Adds a crucial acidic tang that balances the sweetness and mustard’s sharpness. Apple cider vinegar also contributes a subtle fruity note. White vinegar can be used as a substitute if needed, but apple cider vinegar is highly recommended for its depth of flavor.

  • Brown Sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Provides the necessary sweetness to counter the mustard and vinegar. Packed brown sugar adds moisture and a molasses-like richness. Light or dark brown sugar can be used, with dark brown sugar offering a more intense molasses flavor.

  • Honey (1/4 cup): Adds another layer of sweetness and a floral aroma that complements the brown sugar and mustard. Honey also helps create a beautiful glaze on the chicken. You can substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar if preferred, but honey is traditional and provides a distinctive flavor.

  • Worcestershire Sauce (2 tablespoons): A secret ingredient that adds umami depth and complexity to the sauce. Its savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes enhance the overall flavor profile.

  • Hot Sauce (1-2 teaspoons): Provides a touch of heat to balance the sweetness and tanginess. Use your favorite hot sauce; Tabasco, Frank’s RedHot, or even a milder chili garlic sauce will work. Adjust the amount to your spice preference. For a milder sauce, start with 1 teaspoon, and for a spicier kick, use 2 teaspoons or more.

  • Butter (2 tablespoons, unsalted): Adds richness, smoothness, and a luxurious mouthfeel to the sauce. Butter helps emulsify the sauce and creates a beautiful glossy finish.

  • Optional: Liquid Smoke (1/2 teaspoon): If you’re baking or using a gas grill without wood chips, a touch of liquid smoke can impart a subtle smoky flavor that mimics the taste of true wood-fired BBQ. Use sparingly, as it can be potent. Hickory or mesquite liquid smoke are good choices.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Pat the Chicken Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken pieces dry. This crucial step removes excess moisture, allowing the seasoning to adhere better and promoting crispy skin (if using skin-on chicken).

  2. Season the Chicken: In a bowl or directly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (for easy cleanup), drizzle the chicken pieces with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle this spice mixture generously over all sides of the chicken, ensuring even coverage. Rub the spices into the chicken to help them adhere.

  3. Let the Chicken Rest (Optional but Recommended): For deeper flavor, you can let the seasoned chicken rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This allows the salt to penetrate the chicken and tenderize it, while the spices infuse their flavor. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and proceed directly to cooking.

Step 2: Make the Georgia Gold BBQ Sauce

  1. Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. If using liquid smoke, add it now.

  2. Simmer the Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens and the flavors meld together beautifully. Simmering allows the raw mustard flavor to mellow out and the sweetness and tanginess to balance.

  3. Stir in Butter: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy. The butter adds richness and a velvety texture. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. You might want to add a pinch more salt, a dash more hot sauce for extra heat, or a touch more honey for sweetness, depending on your preference.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken (Grilling, Baking, or Smoking)

You have several cooking options for your Georgia Gold BBQ Chicken, each yielding slightly different results. Choose the method that best suits your equipment and preferences:

Grilling (Recommended for Authentic BBQ Flavor):

  1. Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350-400°F or 175-200°C). If using a charcoal grill, set up zones for direct and indirect heat. If using a gas grill, preheat with all burners on medium, then reduce to medium-low for indirect cooking if needed.

  2. Grill the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken pieces on the grill, skin-side up (if using skin-on chicken). Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and grill marks appear.

  3. Baste with BBQ Sauce: Once the chicken is browned, begin basting it generously with the Georgia Gold BBQ sauce. Baste on all sides, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Continue grilling, basting every 5-7 minutes, for a total cooking time of about 30-45 minutes for bone-in pieces, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken (away from the bone). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy. For boneless, skinless chicken, cooking time will be shorter, around 20-30 minutes, depending on thickness.

  4. Final Glaze: In the last 5-10 minutes of grilling, continue basting frequently to build up a beautiful, sticky glaze. Be careful not to burn the sauce, especially if your grill is running hot. If the sauce starts to caramelize too quickly, move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat.

  5. Rest Before Serving: Once the chicken is cooked through and beautifully glazed, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

Baking (Convenient Oven Method):

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

  2. Bake Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side up (if using skin-on chicken). Bake for 25-30 minutes.

  3. Baste and Bake Again: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and generously brush the chicken with the Georgia Gold BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, basting with sauce again halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

  4. Broil for Glaze (Optional): For a more caramelized and visually appealing glaze, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, as broilers can heat up quickly.

  5. Rest Before Serving: Let the baked chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Smoking (For Deep Smoky Flavor):

  1. Prepare Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 250°F (120°C). Use your preferred wood chips for smoking – hickory, pecan, or applewood work well with chicken.

  2. Smoke the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the smoker and smoke for about 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

  3. Baste and Finish: Remove the chicken from the smoker and brush it generously with the Georgia Gold BBQ sauce. Return the chicken to the smoker and continue smoking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has set into a glaze. Baste with sauce again halfway through this final smoking period.

  4. Rest Before Serving: Let the smoked chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 350-450 kcal
  • Sugar: 12-20g
  • Sodium: 500-700mg
  • Fat: 15-25g
  • Saturated Fat: 5-8g
  • Carbohydrates: 15-25g
  • Protein: 30-40g
  • Cholesterol: 150-200mg

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Find it online: https://vintagecooks.com/georgia-gold-bbq-chicken-recipe/