Kim's Chicken -Made with Jack Miller's B-B-Que

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 1 h 15 m Total: 1 h 30 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Mawmaw tried this recipe from Jack Miller’s website. It seems almost every child growing up and playing baseball grew up eating Jack Miller’s Ball Park Hamburgers; that same sauce is used in this recipe. Tender baked chicken with potatoes, carrots, and onions glazed in a sweet-tangy Bar-B-Que sauce.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 fryer quartered
  • 3 to 5 potatoes sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • 2 to 3 raw carrots cut 2 or 3 inches long
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • Jack Millers Cajun Bar-B-Que All Purpose Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Jack Miller's Bar-B-Que Sauce
  • 1/2 cup 7-up, Sprite, Ginger Ale, or orange juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover bottom of greased baking dish with sliced potatoes and carrots.
  2. Season vegetables with Jack Miller’s Cajun Bar-B-Que All Purpose Seasoning, then place quartered chicken on top of vegetables and season well. Add sliced onions on top.
  3. Place dish in oven and bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes.
  4. Mix the Bar-B-Que sauce with either 7-up, Sprite, ginger ale or orange juice. Pour liquid over chicken and vegetables, then return dish to oven and continue to bake for another 45 to 60 minutes until chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F.
  5. Baste every 15 minutes during the last stage of cooking. Place cooked chicken on platter. Remove and strain vegetables and serve as a side dish.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use chicken pieces instead of a quartered fryer?

A: Yes, chicken thighs, drumsticks, or breasts work well. Adjust cooking time based on the size of the pieces, checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Q: Why add soda or juice to the BBQ sauce?

A: The carbonation and sugar in the soda help tenderize the chicken and create a glossy glaze. Orange juice adds a citrus note. Either way, it thins the sauce for better basting.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t skip the basting during the final cooking stage - this builds up layers of flavor and creates that beautiful caramelized coating on the chicken. The vegetables will absorb the BBQ sauce drippings and become incredibly flavorful.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Jack Miller's Bar-B-Que Sauce: Any Louisiana-style BBQ sauce or your favorite brand
  • 7-up, Sprite, Ginger Ale, or orange juice: Pineapple juice, apple juice, or beer
  • whole fryer quartered: 6-8 chicken thighs or drumsticks

Equipment Needed

  • 9x13 baking dish or similar roasting pan
  • Basting brush
  • Meat thermometer

Historical Context

Jack Miller’s Bar-B-Que has been a Louisiana institution since the mid-20th century, particularly beloved at baseball fields and community events across Cajun country where their famous hamburgers fed countless hungry ballplayers and fans.