Alabama White Sauce Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters 🐔
Meta Title: Alabama White Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe (Creamy Vinegar‑Pepper BBQ Sauce)
Meta Description: Learn how to smoke chicken leg quarters and dunk them in tangy, creamy Alabama white sauce. Step‑by‑step instructions, ingredients, timing, and tips included.
Introduction
Craving juicy, flavorful grilled chicken? These smoked chicken leg quarters slathered in Alabama white BBQ sauce deliver a creamy‑tangy flavor twist that’s uniquely Southern. Instead of using a traditional tomato base, Alabama white sauce combines mayonnaise and vinegar, delivering a bold, peppery flavor that’s ideal for dipping freshly grilled chicken.
🧂 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
4 chicken leg quarters
Your favorite dry rub or salt & black pepper (adjust to taste)

For the Alabama White BBQ Sauce:
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup white vinegar (or substitute apple cider vinegar)
- ½ cup apple juice (or cider)
- 4 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp prepared horseradish
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
⏲️ Equipment and Prep
- Two-zone grill setup: hot side for searing, cooler side for smoking (hickory or fruitwood recommended)
- Prepare sauce ahead of time: whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth; chill while chicken smokes
🔥 Step‑by‑Step Instructions
1. Season the Chicken
Pat leg quarters dry, then sprinkle seasonings all over (and under the skin if possible) for deeper flavor.
2. Smoke at Low Temperature
Set the chicken, skin side facing upward, on the indirect heat zone of your grill. Maintain 275–300 °F (135–150 °C) for about 60 minutes until the skin firms up and begins to brown
3. Render the Skin
Flip chicken skin‑side down and continue smoking for 20–30 minutes to render fat and achieve crispy texture. Monitor the internal temperature, aiming for 165 °F (74 °C), though dark meat remains tender even up to 175 °F (79 °C).
4. Finish by Dunking
Immediately after smoking, dunk each piece fully into the chilled Alabama white sauce so it coats both sides evenly.

✅ Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken hot with extra white sauce on the side. This sauce also doubles as a dip or drizzle over grilled wings, pulled pork, salads, or fries. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
🍗 Alabama White BBQ Sauce – Quick Glance Table
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Mayonnaise | 2 cups |
White vinegar | 1 cup |
Apple juice | ½ cup |
Sugar | 4 tsp |
Horseradish | 2 tsp |
Lemon juice | 2 tsp |
Salt & pepper | To taste |
Cayenne pepper | ½ tsp (optional) |