Mam-Maw’s Barbecue Chicken Recipe: A Family Classic That Truly Takes the Cake

There’s something undeniably special about family recipes that have been lovingly passed down through generations. They carry more than just flavors—they embody stories, memories, and a sense of heritage. Mam-Maw’s southern barbecue chicken is a shining example of this culinary treasure. Although Mam-Maw is no longer with us, her beloved recipe continues to bring joy and delicious memories to our dinner tables. I can honestly say—this is the absolute best barbecue chicken I’ve ever tasted. Yes, it involves a few extra steps, but every bit of effort is worth it. So, let’s dive into this treasured recipe that keeps our family traditions alive.

Introduction
Ingredients Needed
Preparation Steps
Cooking Instructions
Serving Suggestions
A Few Tips to Make It Perfect
Conclusion

Ingredients Needed

5 pounds of bone-in chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or your preferred cuts)
Oil for frying
Your favorite barbecue sauce
Spices:
Smoked paprika
Black pepper
Salt
Flour for breading

Preparation Steps

Before diving into the cooking process, it’s essential to prepare your ingredients just right. The secret to Mam-Maw’s signature flavor lies in the seasoning and the breading process.

Start by rinsing your chicken pieces thoroughly and patting them dry with paper towels.
In a shallow bowl, combine flour, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to create your breading mixture.
Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, ensuring an even coating. Shake off excess flour to prevent clumping.

Cooking Instructions

This recipe involves a combination of frying and baking, which results in a crispy exterior paired with tender, flavorful meat.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the breaded chicken pieces until they’re almost done—this should take about 10 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even browning.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the fried chicken pieces in baking pans.
Brush generous amounts of your favorite barbecue sauce all over each piece, making sure to cover all sides evenly.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce is bubbly.
For that irresistible charred finish, place the baked chicken under the broiler for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Serving Suggestions

This southern barbecue chicken is best served hot, straight from the oven or broiler. It pairs beautifully with classic sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or a simple green salad. For an extra touch of authenticity, serve it with sliced pickles or a wedge of lemon on the side.

A Few Tips to Make It Perfect

Marinate the chicken: For even deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in a mixture of barbecue sauce and spices for a few hours before breading.
Use quality barbecue sauce: Since it’s a key flavor element, choose a sauce that complements your taste—sweet, smoky, spicy, or a combination.
Adjust the spice level: Feel free to add cayenne pepper or chili powder if you prefer some heat.
Don’t rush the frying process: Frying the chicken until nearly cooked ensures it remains juicy and tender inside after baking.

Conclusion

Few dishes evoke warmth, nostalgia, and family connection like Mam-Maw’s southern barbecue chicken. This recipe may involve a few extra steps, but the result is a crispy, juicy, and irresistibly flavorful meal that truly takes the cake. It’s a testament to the love and care Mam-Maw poured into her cooking—a tradition that continues to bring us together around the dinner table. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the process, and savor every bite of this treasured family classic. Your taste buds—and your family—will thank you.

In loving memory of my mam-maw (Lois Marie Andrews).

Homemade Fresca Soda

Make Your Own Fresca Soda at Home! Hey there! If you're like me and love Diet Fresca but can't find it in stores anymore, don't worry! I've got a recipe for a homemade version that tastes almost like the real thing. Let's get started! Ingredients: 1 Ruby Red grapefruit, seeded and juiced. Save the peels for steeping 1 lime, seeded and juiced 1 lemon, seeded and juiced 2 teaspoons of Splenda, or your preferred sweetener 1 bottle of sparkling water Instructions: First, chill your sparkling water in the fridge. Peel the outer skin of the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to only use the colored part, not the white part. Steep the citrus peels in hot boiling water to extract the oils. Let it cool and strain out the peels. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a juicer. Remove any seeds and strain the juice if needed. Combine the fresh squeezed juice with Splenda in a tumbler. Adjust the sweetness to your l...

Vegetables that contain protein

Vegetables that contain protein If food prices have you scrambling down the aisles of the grocery store trying to find something that's more affordable than meat but still has protein, know that you're not alone! Back in the days when my grandparents went through the Great Depression, it was really tough times, but they survived through the hardships by growing their own food. There are a lot of veggies that actually do contain protein, and they're packed full of additional nutrients that our bodies all need. Vegetables highest in protein: Vegetables high in protein include artichokes, asparagus, beans, bean sprouts, and beans in general: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, chickpeas, green peas, kale, mushrooms, mustard greens, spinach, sweet corn, and turnip greens. For a few examples: Black beans contain 15 grams of protein in just a 1-cup serving. In fact, a 1/2 cup of cooked beans provides close to 7 grams of protein, which is the same as eating one ounce of meat. As for collar...

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays Just want to take this time out to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the very best for the upcoming holiday season! If you are one of my Newsbreak followers, allow me to take this time to give you my appreciation and endless gratitude. Each of you matter so very much to me! I look so forward to sharing new ideas, new recipes, and gardening tips with you in the new year of 2023! Thanks goes out to each of you for being here for me! Happy Holidays! Stay safe!

Cook With Gin Lee

What's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Have you ever pondered the question, what's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Well, today, I would like to tell you the answer to that specific question. Which is that all five of these food items are exactly one and the same. Homemade country pancakes I have decided to write two separate articles on the subject of how I make homemade pancakes from scratch. The first one was just to take you through the steps of how I make the pancake and waffle mix from scratch. Inside this article, I will be going more into depth on how I use that particular mix to make pancakes. In the other article, I also covered how to make homemade waffles from this same mix. The dry mix is the same for both, but needs to be prepared a little differently when adding the last few ingredients to make the waffle batter. (Hopefully splitting the t...

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out There's one lady on this earth (besides mom) that I have always simply adored; Martha Stewart. Anyone who knows me knows that Martha has been my lifelong hero since I was a teenager. She's witty, beautiful, and exceptionally talented in so many various ways. Such as DIY home and land renovations to whipping up any tantalizing masterpiece in her kitchen. Even though I have a multitude of recipes, I had never made slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies before. That's until I came across Martha Stewart's recipe for this delightfully delicious, gooey chocolate treat. I followed Martha's techniques and her recipe to the tee, and ooh-la-lah! Her slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies are sinfully exquisite. They are a chocolate lover's dream come true. Martha's slow-cooker brownie recipe takes 3-1/2 hours to bake. While some people may think that is too long to ...

Why I Don't Preheat My Oven Before Cooking"

"Why I Don't Preheat My Oven Before Cooking" In this article, I aim to shed light on my unconventional approach to cooking by explaining the reasons behind why I choose not to preheat my oven. While this may seem like a peculiar practice to some, I assure you that there are valid reasons behind it that I will explore in the following sections. Safety Considerations: Addressing concerns about food safety and doneness Ensuring proper internal temperature: Using a food thermometer One of the common concerns when it comes to skipping preheating is whether the food will cook evenly and reach a safe internal temperature. However, I have found that using a food thermometer effectively eliminates this concern. By inserting a thermometer in the thickest part of the dish, I can ensure that it reaches the recommended temperature for doneness. This method not only guarantees food safety but also prevents overcooking. Adhering to recommended cooking times for specific foods Another mi...

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes Hey there, fellow gardeners! Today we're going to talk about a cool way to grow your own vegetables using rockwool cubes. It may sound fancy, but it's actually pretty simple and fun. Let's dive in! What You'll Need: First things first, you'll need some rockwool cubes . These are like little sponges that help your plants grow strong and healthy. You'll also need some vegetable seeds, a tray to hold the cubes, and water. I personally use these hydroponic grow trays with dome lids. Step 1: Soak the Cubes Before you plant your seeds, you'll need to soak the rockwool cubes in water. This helps them absorb moisture and provides a good environment for your plants to grow. Step 2: Plant Your Seeds Once your cubes are nice and soaked, it's time to plant your seeds. Make a little hole in the top of each cube and drop a couple of seeds in. Some seeds are so tiny and I generally end up planting more than two in each cube. ...

Easy Holiday Cat Treats

Easy Holiday Cat Treats The holiday season is a time of joy and indulgence, and why should our feline friends be left out? In this article, I'll show you how to make easy homemade cat treats that will have your furry companion purring with delight. Whether you want to spoil your cat with a special holiday treat or simply enjoy the satisfaction of making something from scratch, these recipes are the perfect way to spread some cheer for your beloved pet. Choosing Cat-Friendly Ingredients Not all human foods are safe for cats, so it's important to know which ingredients are suitable for our furry companions. Stick to cat-friendly options like lean meats (chicken, turkey, and fish), vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potatoes), and fruits (berries, bananas) that are safe and delicious for your feline friend. Simple Homemade Treat Recipes for the Holidays Now, let's dive into some easy and delightful homemade cat treat recipes that will have your kitty begging for more: Turkey and Sweet...

Pulled Pork

Posted: 07 Aug 2021 01:21 PM PDT Pulled Pork Pulled pork can be made from a pork shoulder roast or a Boston butt. Both cuts of meat come from the shoulder of the front legs of a hog. The pork shoulder (picnic roast) is the cut lower on the shoulder, and it includes the shank, whereas the Boston butt is the uppercut of the hog's shoulder. If you caught my last article about dry rub seasoning a bone-in pork shoulder roast, this pulled pork is from that particular pork shoulder. I will add my list of spice ingredients again in this article for future reference. After applying the dry spices and marinating the pork shoulder for two hours, I then placed it in a large cast-iron skillet and slow-roasted it for one hour; before placing the pork shoulder in the crockpot. The pork shoulder slowly cooked all night in the crockpot. Then early this morning I pulled the pork apart with two forks. The bone fell off the meat without any work. After the pork is shredded,...

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe Elevate your culinary skills with this delectable recipe for baked white fish coated in a flavorful sesame seed breading. This dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving for more. Follow the simple steps below to create a mouthwatering meal that is both delicious and nutritious. Ingredients: 4 white fish filets 4 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil Instructions: Place the sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, seasoning salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow dish and mix well. Brush each fish filet with olive oil and then coat them in the sesame seed mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the coated filets on a greased baking tray. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious baked ...

Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

Search This Blog