Alabama White Sauce Chicken
Alabama White Sauce Chicken starts with a zesty marinade, then grilled until juicy and topped with Alabama white sauce.
👩🍳 Alabama White Sauce Goes With Chicken Like Butter Goes With Bread
There’s just something downright magical about smoky grilled chicken kissed by flames and dripping with tangy Alabama white sauce. I mean, if backyard BBQ had a signature scent, this would be it. For this juicy grilled chicken recipe, we marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a bold, vinegar-based bath loaded with garlic, onion, and a whisper of honey. That marinade? Oh, it’s the secret weapon—infuses flavor deep into the meat and keeps every bite tender and ridiculously juicy.
After a solid soak, we hit the chicken with a smoky spice rub—think smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, a little heat from chipotle or cayenne, and enough salt and pepper to wake up your taste buds. Then it’s grill time. Fire up that charcoal if you’ve got it (extra points for flavor), or toss them on a gas grill or smoker at medium-high heat. You want a good sear and grill marks that scream summer cookout vibes.
Once those golden grilled chicken breasts hit 165°F, pull them off and let the real fun begin—drizzle, dunk, or slather with creamy, zippy Alabama White Sauce. It’s mayo-based but lightened with apple cider vinegar, jazzed up with horseradish, black pepper, and a hint of heat. The tangy richness balances out the smoky, spicy chicken like a match made in Southern BBQ heaven.
This chicken is crispy-edged and juicy-centered, perfect for cookouts, weeknight grilling, or meal prep if you’ve got self-control (I do not). Serve it with smoked mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or my personal fave—Cheesy Jalapeño Grits—for that true Southern comfort meal with a spicy twist.
Trust me, this Alabama White Sauce Chicken will have everyone licking their fingers and asking for the recipe. Good thing you’re already here.
🛒 Recipe Ingredient List
Marinade
🥣 Visual Process for Making Alabama White Sauce Chicken
First, you want to mix up the marinade and let the chicken breasts soak for 1-2 hours or overnight. Don’t go longer than 24 hours, because it negetively effects the texture and flavor.
Next, dry your chicken off with a paper towel and sprinkle your seasonings all over it. Let this sit while you preheat the grill-charcoal or gas are both fine.
Add the chicken breasts to the grill and heat around 6-8 minutes per side. Don’t remove the chicken until it has reached 165°F for safety. Be careful not to overcook it, as chicken breasts can dry out pretty fast after that.
Serve the chicken with this easy Alabama White Sauce.
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Alabama White Sauce Chicken
Equipment
- Grill
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (or cayenne pepper)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Alabama white sauce
Marinade
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar (or apple juice)
- ⅓ medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients for the marinade in a Ziploc bag. Add chicken breasts and marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400℉). Charcoal gives these an extra burst of flavor, but any grill or smoker will do.
- Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl: 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chipotle powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Dry chicken breasts with a paper towel. Rub all sides of the breasts with the rub. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Grill chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉ in the thickest part of the meat. Turning once. About 6-8 minutes per side.
- Serve the grilled chicken with Alabama White Sauce.
Notes
Substitutions
Nutrition
FAQs
What’s the best grill temperature for chicken breasts?
Set the grill to medium-high heat, around 375–450°F (190–230°C).
How do I keep chicken breasts juicy on the grill?
Use a thermometer and avoid overcooking past 165°F. Let the breasts rest for 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute.
Serving Suggestions
Alright, let’s talk about the best part after the chicken—the sides. Alabama White Sauce Chicken is bold, tangy, smoky, and juicy, so it begs to be paired with sides that can stand up to all that flavor without stealing the show.
First up, you can’t go wrong with Cheesy Jalapeño Grits. They’re creamy, comforting, and have just enough spice to keep things interesting. The cheese adds richness that balances the vinegar in the white sauce, and those little pops of jalapeño heat? Chef’s kiss. It’s a Southern classic that plays perfectly with grilled chicken.
If you’re craving something a little more laid-back, smoked mashed potatoes are where it’s at. The smoke adds depth, and the creamy texture pairs like a dream with that crispy-edged chicken. Spoon a little extra white sauce over the top and call it a day.
Need something fresh to cut through all that savory goodness? Try a grilled corn salad with cherry tomatoes, avocado, and lime. It’s bright, zesty, and adds a pop of color and crunch to your plate. Or go simple with a classic coleslaw—creamy or vinegar-based, either one complements the tangy white sauce and adds that cool, refreshing crunch.
For a real backyard BBQ spread, throw in buttered cornbread, baked beans, or even mac and cheese if you’re going all out. Honestly, Alabama White Sauce Chicken is versatile enough to work with just about anything—but pair it with something creamy, smoky, or zippy and you’ll have a plate people won’t stop talking about.
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