Feathered Fireworks: Spatchcocked Chicken & Calabama Charm

Calabama Dreamin': The Ultimate Smoked Spatchcocked Chicken Recipe

Overview

Get ready to fire up those barbecues and embark on a flavor-packed adventure under the stars. Today, #TeamLFR’s Aaron Riley of Bearded Skull BBQ is sharing the ultimate late-summer meal! Grab a cold beverage and let’s dive into the world of spatchcocked smoked chicken with a twist of Calabama Sauce.

Now, if you’re scratching your head wondering what the heck spatchcocking is, fear not! It’s like the magic trick of the BBQ world. Take your trusty kitchen shears and, starting at the bird’s bottom, gracefully snip along the side of the spine, then repeat on the other side, freeing the spine. Flip the bird over (not literally!) and apply some gentle pressure to the center of the breasts to break the sternum. Voilà! Spatchcocking is like giving your chicken a grand opening, ensuring it cooks evenly and deliciously.

smoker

CALABAMA SAUCE

But wait, there’s more! Enter the Calabama Sauce, my tongue-tingling take on Alabama White Sauce—a creamy, tangy, and peppery BBQ delight that’s a staple in the South. Picture this sauce caressing smoked chicken, and you’ve got yourself a match made in grill heaven. The best part? The smoked chicken leftovers can be transformed into mouthwatering sandwiches with red onion and pickles.

So, fire up your grill, master the art of spatchcocking, and elevate your summer nights with this smokin’ recipe. It’s quick, it’s scrumptious, and it’s bound to leave your taste buds asking for an encore. Happy grilling, y’all!

spatchcocking chicken

KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE

Cherry or Apple Wood: These wood chips are like the seasoning for your grill, infusing your chicken with a delightful, smoky kiss that’s as irresistible as a campfire under the stars, elevating your dish to a flavor level that’s almost tree-mendous.

Chipotle Adobo: Adding chipotle adobo is like inviting a feisty cowboy to your BBQ party; it brings a spicy, smoky kick to your Calabama Sauce that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy two-step, making your chicken unforgettable in the best way possible.

Horseradish: Horseradish is your secret weapon here, like a spicy sidekick that’s ready to awaken your senses; it cuts through the creamy Calabama Sauce, giving it a zesty punch that’ll make your taste buds stand up and applaud, creating a harmony of flavors that’s as bold as a bear’s roar.

spatchcocking chicken

WHAT SIDE DISHES COULD BE SERVED ALONGSIDE SMOKED SPATCHCOCKED CHICKEN WITH CALABAMA SAUCE?

Wildfire Cornbread: Picture this: cornbread with a hint of jalapeño heat, just enough to make your taste buds dance like a campfire under the stars. It’s the perfect partner to your smoky chicken, adding a rustic charm that’ll make your outdoor feast feel like a wild west showdown, minus the tumbleweeds.

Crispy Campfire Slaw: This slaw is your trusty sidekick, delivering a crunchy, zesty punch that complements the creamy Calabama Sauce like a harmonious duet around the fire. It’s a fresh, tangy sensation that adds a touch of wilderness to your plate without the mosquito bites.

Roasted Vegetables: Fire-kissed veggies, lightly seasoned with herbs and olive oil, are like the treasures you discover along a serene riverbank. They bring a burst of color and flavor to your meal, ensuring your spatchcocked chicken remains the star of the show, while the veggies play the supporting role to perfection.

TOP 5 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SMOKED SPATCHCOCKED CHICKEN WITH CALABAMA SAUCE

How Do I Spatchcock a Chicken for Smoking? Spatchcocking is a piece of cake, but not literally. Grab your shears and follow the spine! It’s like the chicken’s red carpet entrance to the smoker.

What’s the Deal with Calabama Sauce? It’s Alabama White Sauce’s cooler cousin – creamy, tangy, and pepperier than a front-row concert. It’s BBQ royalty from the South with a twist.

What Wood Should I Use for Smoking? Cherry or apple wood, my friend! It’s like a fragrant forest hug for your chicken.

What’s the Ideal Smoking Temperature? Think low and slow like a tortoise on a leisurely stroll. Around 225-250°F (107-121°C) – patience is the key to flavor town.

How Do I Prevent Dry Chicken? Simple – don’t overdo it! Smoke your chicken to a juicy, golden perfection, and it’ll be moister than a waterfall in springtime.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BEVERAGE PAIRINGS FOR SMOKED SPATCHCOCKED CHICKEN WITH CALABAMA SAUCE?

Craft Beer

Hoppy Camper IPA: This hoppy brew is like a nature hike in a glass, pairing perfectly with the smoky chicken’s bold flavors.

Smoked Porter: Like a cozy campfire in a bottle, this porter’s roasted notes dance with your Calabama Sauce for a match made in flavor heaven.

Cocktail

Smoked Bourbon Bliss: Bourbon, a hint of smoked maple syrup, and a splash of citrus. It’s like sipping sophistication by the fire.

Zesty BBQ Mule: A mule with a twist – vodka, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime that cuts through the smoky goodness of your chicken.

Wine

Chardonnay Adventure: A buttery Chardonnay is your white wine companion; its smoothness tames the tangy Calabama Sauce.

Pinot Noir Explorer: Red wine lover? Go for a Pinot Noir; its fruity notes are a gentle partner to your smoky, spatchcocked masterpiece.

calabama sauce

 

SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW LIVE FIRE REPUBLIC ACROSS SOCIAL, WEB AND OUR ADVENTURE CULINARY SERIES ON YOUTUBE!

Why should you dive into the mouthwatering world of LiveFireRepublic.com, join our sizzling experiential events, and binge-watch our YouTube adventures? Well, it’s simple: we’re your passport to outdoor culinary nirvana! Our recipe database is like the treasure chest of flavor you’ve been searching for. Our events? Picture a barbecue bonanza, sprinkled with a dash of wild adventure. And our YouTube series? It’s your front-row seat to culinary escapades that’ll make your taste buds do the cha-cha. So, whether you’re a seasoned grill guru or just a backyard burger flipper, join us—because where there’s smoke, there’s flavor, and where there’s Live Fire Republic, there’s a tasty adventure waiting for you!

smoked spatchcocked chicken with calabama sauce

Smoked Spatchocked Whole Chicken

Get ready for flavor fireworks! Explore Spatchcocked Chicken's wild rendezvous with Calabama Charm in this culinary adventure.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Calabama Sauce: 10 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, BBQ, Outdoor, smoked, Southern, summer
Keyword: alabama sauce, backyard bbq, best chicken, calabama, chicken recipe, cream sauce, double smoked ham, Live Fire Cooking, smoked chicken, spatchcocked, spatchcocked chicken, whole chicken
Servings: 4
Calories: 600kcal
Author: Aaron Riley

Equipment

  • Kitchen shears
  • Smoker
  • Instant read thermometer
  • Jar for Calabama Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken 3-5 lbs
  • 1-2 tbsp almond oil for binder
  • 1/2 c Weber KC BBQ Rub
  • 1/2 c Roasted Garlic and Herb
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • Sticks of Cherry or Apple wood

Calabama Sauce

  • 1 c mayo
  • 1/4 c apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water to thin
  • 2 tbsp granulated garlic
  • 2 tbsp fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1/2 tsp horseradish
  • 1 tbsp Weber Roasted Garlic Herb seasoning
  • 1-2 tsp chipotle adobo

Instructions

  • To spatchcock the chicken, first take your kitchen shears and cut along the spine, starting at the bottom of the bird and continuing all the way to the neck. Then repeat the process on the opposite side of the spine, to remove it completely.
  • Next, flip the bird over to spread the legs and breasts out. Using a small amount of pressure in the center of the breast, use your hand to press down and break the sternum of the bird. Doing this helps to achieve an even cooking surface.
  • Now that your bird is prepped, apply your binder and start seasoning with Weber Roasted Garlic Herb seasoning first, then with your Weber KC BBQ Rub. Let your bird rest while you fire up your pit to 250F.
  • Once the chamber reaches temp, place your bird directly on the grates and roll smoke for up to 2 hours. Melt your butter and add Weber KC BBQ Rub to make a BBQ butter baste and baste chicken every 15 mins to protect the skin color.
  • Once your bird reaches an internal temp of 160F in the thigh, pull your chicken and let it rest for 15 minutes. Apply your Calabama Sauce and dig in.

Calabama Sauce

  • Add all ingredients to jar and shake well. Once all ingredients are combined, your sauce is ready!

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Join the LFR VIP Mailing List

Premium access to exclusive Live Fire Republic recipe content, discounts on newly launched merch, VIP entry to virtual cooking classes, and become the first to know about private events hosted from Sea to shining Sea.

About Chef David W. Olson
David Olson is a nationally-recognized American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chef, television personality and social network influencer, award-winning recipe developer, live fire grill master, international adventurer, and the creator behind, “LiveFire Republic” and “A Bachelor and His Grill.”
Follow us
More from Live Fire Republic

the last thing
left to do is
serve and enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Rate This Recipe

Live Fire Republic’s Field Guide to Perfect Pork Shoulder BBQ

Saddle up, outdoorsmen! Live Fire Republic's Field Guide to Perfect Pork Shoulder BBQ is a…
Average:(average: 5 out of 5. Total: 1)

Ultimate Seafare Feast: Wood Plank-Smoked Spiny Lobster Tails

The most incredible smoked lobster tails recipe ever, taking you on a culinary adventure from…

Grilled Campfire S’Mores Crostini

Rekindle campfire nostalgia with Grilled Campfire S'more Crostini—a symphony of buttery crostini, toasted marshmallows, luscious…

Feathered Fireworks: Spatchcocked Chicken & Calabama Charm

Get ready for flavor fireworks! Explore Spatchcocked Chicken's wild rendezvous with Calabama Charm in this…

Live Fire Republic’s Field Guide: Legendary Slowly-Smoked Brisket

Professional pitmaster advice and step-by-step secrets to juicy and tender, mouthwatering brisket perfection

Brazenly Flavorful: Smoked & Braised Lamb Shank Magic

Embark on a flavor odyssey! Explore the art of Smoked and Braised Lamb Shank. Get…

Raising the Steaks: Tomahawk Ribeyes and Smoked Lobster Tails

Reverse Seared Tomahawk Ribeyes and Smoked Lobster Tails. Your Epic Surf amc Turf Adventure Awaits!

Smoked Bone Marrow Compound Butter

Unleash your inner grill master and embark on a flavor-filled adventure with the enchanting magic…
Average:(average: 5 out of 5. Total: 1)

Fire, Spice and Everything Nice: Orange Ginger Rotisserie Duck

Get ready for a fiery flavor expedition! Unleash the quack-tastic adventure of Orange Ginger Rotisserie…