Chicken Thigh Question

jcpetro97 · 09-20-2011, 11:01 AM

the last few times I have cooked chicken thighs, I noticed that if I used a rub, and BBQ sauce, that the flavors seemed to "fight" with each other. If I had used just a rub, or just BBQ sauce, it would have been fine, however, when I used both together, the flavors, while good, were just not compatible.

Any thoughts on this? Should I just be using salt and pepper, or is there a tried and true rub that works well with bbq sauce as well. I am looking more for my own cooking vs competition.

nthole · 09-20-2011, 11:03 AM

There are a lot of good combinations and a LOT of bad combinations. All things don't just magically work together. If you have a real sweet sauce, a sugar based rub might not work, might be better with some heat to 'match'. The key really is playing with it and finding something you like.

You can always do some taste testing, cook plain chicken and sprinkle and dip. Or just spice on finger then sauce on finger. If you really like a particular sauce, then there's nothing wrong with simple salt and pepper.

Coldholler · 09-20-2011, 11:06 AM

I'd just use salt and pepper. I use a 1 part apple cider vinegar/3 parts apple juice mix in a spray bottle to wet it first. Easy on the salt if you brine your chicken overnight before cooking.

jcpetro97 · 09-20-2011, 12:09 PM

nthole, great idea...

Coldholler, I didn't brine, but will definitely give it a try

Ryan Chester · 09-20-2011, 12:49 PM

I doubt you'll find a sauce that fights with The Rub Co. Santa Maria Style Rub. That stuff is good on everything. Even ice cream!

gtr · 09-20-2011, 12:55 PM

This might be overkill for your purposes here, but it is a great reference book for cooking.

Amazon.com: The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs (978031611840

: Karen Page, Andrew Dornenburg: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51duEkaBE6L.@@AMEPARAM@@51duEkaBE6L

Generally you have to watch for flavors that fight, play nicely together, etc.

09-20-2011, 11:01 AM	#1
jcpetro97 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-29-11 Location: Rochester, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Chicken Thigh Question the last few times I have cooked chicken thighs, I noticed that if I used a rub, and BBQ sauce, that the flavors seemed to "fight" with each other. If I had used just a rub, or just BBQ sauce, it would have been fine, however, when I used both together, the flavors, while good, were just not compatible. Any thoughts on this? Should I just be using salt and pepper, or is there a tried and true rub that works well with bbq sauce as well. I am looking more for my own cooking vs competition.

09-20-2011, 11:03 AM	#2
nthole Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	There are a lot of good combinations and a LOT of bad combinations. All things don't just magically work together. If you have a real sweet sauce, a sugar based rub might not work, might be better with some heat to 'match'. The key really is playing with it and finding something you like. You can always do some taste testing, cook plain chicken and sprinkle and dip. Or just spice on finger then sauce on finger. If you really like a particular sauce, then there's nothing wrong with simple salt and pepper. __________________ Neil -- "Easy Bake Master" NB Bandera [gone to heaven...conveniently located in Long Island, NY] WSM A, WSM B, UDS, Easy Bake Oven Pork Pistols BBQ MOFO Illuminati MOINK...It's what's for linner.

09-20-2011, 11:06 AM	#3
Coldholler Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-03-11 Location: Jackson County, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'd just use salt and pepper. I use a 1 part apple cider vinegar/3 parts apple juice mix in a spray bottle to wet it first. Easy on the salt if you brine your chicken overnight before cooking. __________________ Big homemade smoker on a trailer, Weber grill, firepit

09-20-2011, 12:49 PM	#5
Ryan Chester is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-06-09 Location: Orange County, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I doubt you'll find a sauce that fights with The Rub Co. Santa Maria Style Rub. That stuff is good on everything. Even ice cream! __________________ Ryan Chester - The Rub Company & Smoqued California BBQ

09-20-2011, 12:55 PM	#6
gtr Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-16-10 Location: Culver City, CA Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	This might be overkill for your purposes here, but it is a great reference book for cooking. Amazon.com: The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs (978031611840: Karen Page, Andrew Dornenburg: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51duEkaBE6L.@@AMEPARAM@@51duEkaBE6L Generally you have to watch for flavors that fight, play nicely together, etc. __________________ 50" Klose BYC, Backwoods Chubby, UDS, 26" & 22.5" Weber Kettles, Jumbo Joe, WGA, WSJ/MUDS, Jumbo Old Smokey, Pig Hibachi, a piece of expanded metal I throw over the fire pit sometimes, Stealthy Black & Vol Orange Thermapens Displaced East Tennesseean Proud recipient of a Tick Former outlaw MOINK baller, now IMBAS Certified, but still lookin' over my shoulder. Golden Goose Egg - Got 2 in the nest baby! SPFP Mayzie's keeping an eye out for you! WTFWGALD?

09-20-2011, 12:09 PM	#4
jcpetro97 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-29-11 Location: Rochester, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	nthole, great idea... Coldholler, I didn't brine, but will definitely give it a try

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