Southern-Style Braised Chicken with Alabama White Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs braised in a savory broth and served with a tangy Alabama white barbecue sauce, highlighting regional flavors from Alabama. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown skin side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook 3 minutes more.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, scraping the bottom to deglaze. Return chicken to the skillet, transfer to oven, and braise for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  4. Step 4: While chicken cooks, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp horseradish, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Mix until smooth to make Alabama white sauce.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken from oven. Spoon Alabama white sauce over chicken, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern-Style Braised Chicken with Alabama White Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Southern-Style Braised Chicken with Alabama White Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Southern-Style Braised Chicken with Alabama White Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Southern-Style Braised Chicken with Alabama White Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Southern-Style Braised Chicken with Alabama White Sauce?

Southern chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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