The Best Homemade BBQ

I am not one to try to make my own BBQ. I would much rather just go to Buddy's & buy some! However, there is a recipe in January's Southern Living that I thought I had to try. Oh my...this was delicious, if I do say so myself! Perfect for winter & super easy!

The recipe is under the food section of the mag called "fix it and forget it," & that's exactly what I did.

{Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken}

What you need:

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 (3-to 3 1/2-lb.) cut-up whole chicken (I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they were on sale at Target)

1/2 cup cola soft drink

1/3 cup ketchup

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. bourbon (I left this out)

1 lemon, sliced

How you make it:

1. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over chicken. Place chicken in a single layer in a lightly greased 6-qt. slow cooker.

2. Whisk together cola soft drink and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Slowly pour mixture between chicken pieces (to avoid removing spices from chicken). Place lemon slices in a single layer on top of chicken. 

3. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 hours (or LOW 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 hours<

4. Transfer chicken pieces to a serving platter; discard lemon slices. Skim fat from pan juices in slow cooker. Pour pan juices over chicken; serve immediately.

I also served ours with this side (wish I would have taken a pic...must get better at that): 

{Sweet Potato Cornbread}

What you need:

2 cups self-rising white cornmeal mix 

3 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

5 large eggs

2 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes (about 4 sweet potatoes)

1 8-oz. container sour cream

1/2 cup butter, melted

How you make it:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Stir together fiist 3 ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Whisk together eggs and next 3 ingredients; add to cornmeal mixture, stirring just until moistened. Spoon batter in a lightly greased 9-inch square pan.

2. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Both recipes from Southern Living.