Crispy BBQ Chicken With Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Last Updated on April 1, 2026 by Sarah Leadon

Crispy BBQ chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and loaded with bold BBQ flavour.  It’s the kind of weeknight dish that makes an ordinary day feel special.

What really makes this chicken stand out is the Alabama white BBQ sauce. The tangy, creamy sauce cuts through the richness of the chicken and adds a bright, zesty finish.

Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or serving it for a small gathering, this crispy BBQ chicken delivers big flavour with minimal fuss. Pair this chicken with your favourite side dishes and enjoy a meal that hits all the right notes.

Ingredients

Chicken: I used bone-in skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. You can use chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts. You can also use a whole chicken broken down into pieces, but keep in mind that some pieces like the legs and wings, will cook faster than others.

Seasoning Blend: I used a homemade BBQ rub, but you can use your favorite BBQ rub instead.

Olive Oil: Helps the chicken skin crisp up.

Scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients and measurements.

What Is Alabama White BBQ Sauce?

Alabama white BBQ sauce is made from mayonnaise. The mayonnaise gives the sauce a white color and a creamy, rich texture.

The tangy flavor comes from the vinegar. Some people add horseradish to cut through the richness of the mayonnaise without overpowering the sauce.

Alabama white BBQ sauce pairs well with grilled or smoked chicken. 

For this crispy BBQ chicken recipe, the chicken is seasoned with a homemade rub, seared until the skin is crispy, and finished in the oven. The sauce brings everything together. The tangy, creamy, bold sauce makes the chicken taste even better.

Tips

• Extra‑Crispy Chicken: After you season the chicken, place a cooling rack on a baking sheet. Arrange the thighs skin-side up on the cooling rack.  Let the chicken thighs sit uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. The cold air from the fridge will dry the chicken skin slightly and help it crisp up even more.
• Pat the Chicken Dry: If the outside of the chicken is moist, it won’t get crispy. Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly before you add the dry rub. It will help the chicken brown more evenly.
• Get the Skillet Hot: Let the skillet get smoky hot before you add the chicken. A hot pan helps the skin sear quickly. It renders the fat and creates that deep golden crust.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Work in batches if needed. Overcrowding the pan traps steam and prevents the chicken skin from crisping up.
• Whisk the Sauce Before Serving: Alabama white sauce can separate as it sits. Whisk it before serving.

Variations

• Smoked: If you have a smoker, smoke the chicken low and slow for a deeper flavor. If you don’t own a smoker but love that smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke to the chicken before adding the spice rub.
• Grilled: Grill the chicken over medium heat. The charred/smoky flavor from the grill pairs beautifully with the tangy Alabama white sauce.
• Air Fryer: Air-fry the chicken thighs for 20 minutes at 400°F, until golden and crispy. Air-frying the chicken will give it a crispier texture without extra oil.
• Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the BBQ rub, or stir a spoonful of prepared horseradish into the Alabama white sauce for extra heat. You can also add a bit of bbq rub or cayenne to the sauce to give it more flavor.

What To Serve With Crispy BBQ Chicken

I served this crispy BBQ chicken with parsley rice and mixed vegetables. This dish is pretty versatile: You can serve it with:

• Yellow Rice
• Mood-Boosting Salad
• Roasted Potato Wedges
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Mashed Potatoes

Storage Instructions

Store the leftover crispy BBQ chicken in an airtight container. The BBQ chicken thighs will last for 2-3 days in the fridge. Store the Alabama white BBQ sauce in a separate container in the fridge. It will last for 1 week in the fridge.

To reheat the crispy BBQ chicken, loosely cover them with foil. Heat in a 350°F (176°C) oven until heated through. You can also reheat the BBQ chicken in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until the skin is crisp again and the inside is warm.

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Crispy BBQ Chicken With Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Recipe by Sarah Leadon

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: Lunch, DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings: 6

1/2x 1x 2x

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

249

kcal

Total time

40

minutes

This crispy BBQ chicken is so easy to make. Chicken thighs are seasoned with a homemade BBQ rub, seared until golden and crispy, and finished in the oven. Served with a tangy, creamy Alabama white BBQ sauce that adds the perfect punch to every bite.

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Ingredients

• Chicken:

• 2 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Alabama White BBQ Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/8 teaspoon paprika

Directions

• Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Next, pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels. Mix the kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, black pepper, and brown sugar in a small bowl until combined.
• Add the seasoning blend to the chicken thighs and toss to coat them in the seasonings. Cover the chicken thighs with plastic wrap and let them marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the olive oil in a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat.
• Next, in a single layer, add the chicken thighs to the skillet skin-side down. Cook it for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip the chicken over and cook it for 1 minute.
• Next, arrange the chicken thighs in a baking dish skin-side up (if the skillet is large enough to fit all the chicken thighs, you can bake them in the skillet). Bake for 25 minutes, until the chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (73 °C).
• Make the Alabama white BBQ sauce, combining the ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with the chicken thighs.

Nutrition Facts

• Total number of serves: 6
• Calories: 249kcal
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 39mg
• Sodium: 295mg
• Potassium: 68mg
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Calcium: 3mg
• Iron: 0mg
• Vitamin D: 0mg

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