Barbecue Chicken Hoecakes with Vinegar Slaw

A Southern Comfort Food Adventure: Barbecue Chicken Hoecakes

As a busy working mom, finding time to cook delicious and satisfying meals can feel like a Herculean task. But sometimes, the most rewarding moments are the ones spent around the table with family, sharing a meal that evokes comfort and joy. That’s why I love recipes that are both flavorful and relatively simple to execute, even on a weeknight. This Barbecue Chicken Hoecakes recipe fits the bill perfectly. It's a dish that transports you to a cozy Southern kitchen, filled with the aroma of smoky chicken and the sweetness of cornmeal cakes. The preparation time might seem a bit involved, but trust me, the end result is well worth the effort. The smoky, tender chicken, combined with the slightly sweet and subtly savory hoecakes, creates a flavor explosion that leaves you feeling utterly satisfied.

The Magic of Smoked Chicken

Smoking the chicken adds a depth of flavor that's simply unmatched. The process infuses the chicken with a rich, smoky aroma, creating a tender and juicy texture that elevates the entire dish. While I understand that not everyone has a smoker at their disposal, I've found that even using a simple grill with wood chips can achieve a surprisingly authentic smoky flavor. The key is to let the chicken cook slowly, allowing the smoke to penetrate every bite. The result is a chicken that's not only incredibly flavorful but also incredibly moist, which is crucial for a dish like this.

Hoecakes: A Southern Staple

These aren't your average pancakes! Hoecakes, traditionally cooked on a griddle after a long day's work, are a comforting Southern staple. They're simple to make, requiring only a handful of basic ingredients: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and a touch of salt. The cornmeal lends a slightly coarse texture and a delicate sweetness, while the addition of flour helps bind the cakes together, creating a perfect balance of texture and taste. Their slightly sweet flavor provides a delightful contrast to the savory barbecue chicken, making each bite a perfect marriage of flavors.

The Finishing Touch: Vinegar Slaw

No Southern barbecue is complete without a vibrant and tangy vinegar slaw. This slaw cuts through the richness of the chicken and the sweetness of the hoecakes, providing a refreshing contrast that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy. The creamy dressing, with its sharp vinegar tang and subtle sweetness, perfectly complements the smoky chicken and the cornmeal cakes, making the dish a well-rounded culinary experience.

This Barbecue Chicken Hoecakes recipe is more than just a meal; it's an experience. It's a journey to the heart of Southern cuisine, a testament to simple ingredients transformed into a symphony of flavors. It's a dish that I can confidently share with my family, knowing that they'll be as delighted with its taste as I am with its story. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your grill (or your oven), and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.

Beyond the Recipe: A Taste of Tradition

Beyond the delectable flavors and comforting textures, this recipe holds a special significance for me. It’s a reminder of simpler times, of meals shared with loved ones, and of the enduring power of food to bring people together. Every time I make this dish, I'm transported back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where the air would be thick with the aroma of smoking meat and the cheerful chatter of family. These aren't just hoecakes and barbecue chicken; they’re a connection to my heritage, a taste of tradition, and a source of lasting memories.

This recipe is a testament to the simple beauty of Southern cooking, showcasing how a few humble ingredients can create a meal that’s both incredibly satisfying and deeply meaningful. It’s a recipe I hope you'll cherish and share with those you love, creating your own cherished memories around the table.

Step-by-step

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Spread drained wood chips in disposable foil pan. Remove grill racks from barbecue. Place foil pan with wood chips directly atop hot coals (for charcoal barbecue) or over flames (for gas barbecue). Return grill rack to barbecue.
• Brush chicken with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When wood chips begin to smoke, place chicken on grill rack above pan with wood chips. Cover grill and smoke chicken until cooked through, turning occasionally, about 18 minutes.
• Transfer to large bowl and cool slightly. Shred chicken into bite-size strips; place in same bowl. Mix 2 1/2 cups barbecue sauce into chicken.
• DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm chicken in barbecue sauce over medium-low heat before using, adding more barbecue sauce to moisten mixture, if needed.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Add 1 cup water and melted butter and whisk until well blended.
• Heat griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush with additional melted butter.
• Working in batches, pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto griddle. Using back of spoon, immediately spread batter for each cake into oval shape about 4x21/2 inches; cook until bottom is golden brown, about 2 minutes.
• Turn cakes over and cook until bottoms are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
• Place hoecakes on baking sheet and transfer to oven to keep warm while making remaining cakes.
• Place 2 hoecakes on each of 6 plates; sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese over each cake. Top each with warm chicken in barbecue sauce. Spoon Vinegar Slaw atop chicken and serve.