Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken Skillet

Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken Skillet

Discover a delicious copycat recipe for Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken Skillet, inspired by the famous regional dish. Learn how to make this iconic American comfort food at home with our easy-to-follow instructions and sensory storytelling.

🕒 Prep - 20 min | Cook - 30 min | Total - 50 min
🍽 Servings: 6
🔥 Difficulty: Advanced
🌎 Cuisine: American

Allergens

Contains gluten, soy, and wheat.

Ingredients

  • 6 bone
  • in, skin
  • on chicken thighs
  • 1 large white onion, sliced
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce (homemade or store
  • bought)
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, combine the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, hot sauce (if using), salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Whisk until well combined.
  2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a separate large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 5 7 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet, bringing it to a simmer. Add the cooked chicken thighs on top, skin side up, and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Serve the Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken Skillet hot, garnished with sliced green onions and a generous drizzle of extra BBQ sauce.

Chef’s Insight

To mimic the taste and feel of a street-food classic, be sure to cook the chicken until it achieves a crispy, golden skin and juicy interior.

Notes

This recipe captures the essence of a famous regional restaurant's BBQ chicken while adding a creative twist with the use of homemade sauce and slow-cooking technique.

Cultural or Historical Background

This recipe is inspired by the flavors and techniques found in Tennessee BBQ joints. The Smoky Mountain region is known for its distinct, tangy, and sweet sauces, as well as its emphasis on wood-fired cooking methods.