Mastering Bbq Chicken: A Black Community Favorite

BBQ chicken is a beloved dish in America, and it's easy to see why. This juicy, tender, and flavourful dish is a favourite at cookouts and get-togethers. But how do you make BBQ chicken that Black people will enjoy? Well, it's all about the seasoning, the cooking technique, and the sides.

First, let's talk about the chicken itself. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks are ideal, as they stay moist and juicy during the cooking process. You'll want to coat the chicken with a dry rub made from a combination of spices like kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This dry rub adds a ton of flavour and helps crisp up the skin.

Next, it's important to cook the chicken low and slow, away from direct heat. This can be done on a grill with a cool and hot side, or in an oven. Cooking the chicken slowly at a low temperature ensures that it stays tender and juicy. During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce to give it a glossy finish and an extra punch of flavour.

Finally, don't forget the sides! Classic sides that are popular with Black folks include baked beans (with ground beef), spaghetti or mostaccoli with cheese, potato salad, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. These sides are sure to elevate your BBQ chicken and make it a meal to remember.

Use bone-in chicken for a traditional BBQ flavour

Chicken is a staple of African-American cuisine, and BBQ chicken is a soul food specialty. While you can use boneless chicken in BBQ recipes, bone-in chicken is the traditional choice for an authentic BBQ flavour. Bone-in chicken has the benefit of being packed with flavour and is also less likely to dry out during cooking.

Choosing Your Chicken

The first step to achieving that traditional BBQ flavour is to select the right chicken. Bone-in chicken is the classic choice for BBQ recipes, and you can use either a whole chicken or individual pieces. If you opt for a whole chicken, you will need to cut it into pieces. Bone-in chicken breasts, thighs, wings, and legs are all great options and will ensure your BBQ chicken is packed with flavour.

Preparing Your Chicken

Once you have selected your chicken, it's time to prepare it for cooking. Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels and trimming any excess skin or fat. Then, season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, or a spice blend of your choice. You can also marinate the chicken before cooking to add extra flavour and moisture. A simple brine of pickle juice is an excellent option, as it will tenderize the meat and make the skin extra crispy.

Cooking Your Chicken

When it comes to cooking your BBQ chicken, you have a few options. You can grill it, bake it in the oven, or even cook it on a gas grill. If grilling, preheat your grill to a high temperature, around 400-450°F. If using an oven, preheat to 400°F.

Place the chicken on the heat source and cook for several minutes on each side. For grilling, this will be around 4-6 minutes per side, while for baking, it will be closer to 15 minutes before you flip the chicken. You can also sear the chicken in a pan before roasting it to create a crispy skin and a juicy interior.

During cooking, it is essential to monitor the temperature of your chicken to ensure it is cooked through. An instant-read thermometer is a helpful tool for this. Chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, while dark meat like thighs and legs should reach 175°F.

Adding Sauce

When it comes to BBQ sauce, it's best to add it towards the end of cooking to prevent burning. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, baste your chicken with your favourite BBQ sauce and flip it to ensure even coating. You can also add a second coating of sauce after cooking for extra flavour.

Serving Your Chicken

Your BBQ chicken is now ready to serve! It goes well with a variety of sides, such as baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, or macaroni salad. Enjoy your delicious, traditional BBQ chicken!

Marinate chicken in the fridge for at least an hour

Marinating your chicken is a crucial step in achieving that authentic Southern BBQ flavour. It's all about letting the chicken soak up all the delicious flavours you're introducing. Here's how to do it right:

First, prepare your marinade. A good marinade includes an acidic component like wine, vinegar, citrus juice, yogurt, or buttermilk to help tenderize the meat and allow the flavours to penetrate deeper. You can also add oils with a high smoke point, like peanut, canola, safflower, or soy, which help the flavours absorb into the fatty tissue and stand up to the flame and grill.

Now, place your chicken pieces in a glass, food-grade plastic container, or a heavy-duty zip-top plastic storage bag. Pour in your marinade, making sure all the chicken pieces are well-coated. You'll want to use about half a cup of marinade per pound of meat. It's important to always marinate in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria.

Let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least an hour, turning the pieces a few times to ensure all surfaces are adequately coated. If you're using an acidic marinade, be careful not to over-marinate, as this can affect the texture of the chicken, making it mushy or stringy. Aim for no more than 3 hours for poultry.

Once your chicken has marinated, you can either cook it right away or store it in the fridge for cooking later. Don't leave raw marinated chicken in the fridge for more than 2 days. If you're not planning to cook it within that time frame, it's best to freeze the marinated chicken and defrost it when you're ready to cook.

Now you're ready to move on to the next step of your BBQ chicken journey!

Make your own BBQ sauce with onion, ketchup, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce

Making your own BBQ sauce is a great way to control what goes into your food and to avoid preservatives. It's also a good way to use up ingredients you already have, and it's fun to experiment with flavours.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar (or another variety of vinegar)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or onion powder)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

Place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until it has thickened.

Storage:

This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.

Uses:

This BBQ sauce is perfect for grilled foods. Slather it on chicken, burgers, or ribs before cooking, or use it as a dipping sauce for any meat. It also works well as a topping for meatloaf or as a sauce for beans or meatballs.

Customisation:

Feel free to experiment with the ingredients to suit your taste. For a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar or honey. For a smokier flavour, use smoked paprika or add a couple of drops of liquid smoke. For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of cayenne pepper. You can also add a teaspoon of chili powder for extra boldness.

Tips:

If you want to thin out the sauce, try adding a squirt or two of lemon juice for some tartness.

Soul Food:

BBQ chicken is a soul food specialty with a rich history. It's a dish steeped in tradition and perfected by African Americans, who are renowned for their seasoning techniques and contributions to barbecue culture.

Enjoy your homemade BBQ sauce and happy grilling!

Grill chicken over indirect heat

Grilling chicken is an art, and one that requires a bit of precision to get it just right. The key to getting the perfect BBQ chicken is to use two-zone cooking, which means cooking the meat with both direct and indirect heat. This technique is especially important when grilling chicken with bones, as the parts take longer to cook.

When grilling chicken, it's important to remember that the heat should be medium to medium-high, around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll want to grill your chicken for about 15-17 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, let it rest for at least 5 minutes, during which time the internal temperature will continue to rise. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit at its thickest part.

To grill chicken breasts, you'll want to start by patting them dry with a clean paper towel. Then, season them with salt and pepper or a fun seasoning blend. If you want, you can also marinate the chicken before grilling. Place the chicken on the grill over direct heat and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side. Then, move the chicken to indirect heat and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, without flipping. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove it from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

If you're grilling a whole chicken or chicken pieces with bones, you'll follow a similar process. Start by patting the chicken dry and seasoning it with salt and pepper or your desired seasoning blend. You can also marinate the chicken beforehand if you like. Place the chicken on the grill over direct heat and cook for about 30-40 minutes, turning occasionally. Then, move the chicken to indirect heat and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Grilling chicken can be a bit tricky, but with the right techniques and a reliable food thermometer, you can master the art of BBQ chicken. Remember to use both direct and indirect heat, and always ensure your chicken is fully cooked before serving. Enjoy!

Baste chicken with BBQ sauce while cooking

When making BBQ chicken, it is important to baste the chicken with BBQ sauce while cooking to ensure the meat is tender and moist.

Basting is the act of brushing or coating the chicken with a sauce, in this case, BBQ sauce, during the cooking process. This adds flavour and moisture to the meat, creating a delicious and juicy end product.

To baste chicken with BBQ sauce, use a basting brush to coat the chicken pieces generously with the sauce. The timing of when to baste is crucial. If the sauce is applied too early, it may burn and impart an unpleasant taste to the meat. It is recommended to baste the chicken towards the end of the cooking time, about 10 minutes before it is ready. This allows the sauce enough heat and time to caramelize without scorching.

You can also apply a second coating of BBQ sauce after the chicken is cooked. This will give it an extra layer of flavour and a nice, glossy appearance.

Additionally, you can experiment with different types of BBQ sauces to find your preferred flavour. For a spicier kick, add more cayenne and chilli powder to your sauce. If you prefer a sweeter and stickier sauce, increase the amount of sugar and paprika.

By following these steps and techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating mouth-watering BBQ chicken that's sure to impress.

Frequently asked questions