Chicken Barbeque is Rich in History and Flavor

The story of the Tennessee 4-H chicken barbeque recipe is rich in history and traditions, and favorite among those traditions is the barbeque competition, which is now referred to as the Grill Master Challenge and the Chicken Shack at the State Fair.

Chicken Barbeque “CHICK-N-QUE”

In the archives of Agricultural Extension Services at the University of Tennessee, there is a document dated May 1958 titled “Extension Circular No. 413 – Chicken Barbeque ‘CHICK-N-QUE,’” and it begins like this: “Barbequing chicken need not be difficult. It can be easy and a lot of fun if certain rules are followed and plans are made in advance.”

Written by W.O. Sewell, assistant Extension poultryman, this publication is just that – the rules, sketches and plans for the many types of grills, along with the famed recipe for the Tennessee Barbeque Sauce that is still used today.

Dean Emeritus, Dr. Charles Goan has fond memories of working with the 4-H Poultry Program during his tenure as the dean of Extension at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

“My understanding is Mr. Sewell put this sauce together,” Dr. Goan says. “At that time there were groups wanting to do chicken barbeque fundraisers. It was a very simple and basic sauce and is still used today. I’m glad I was able to find the information back in 1978 when I first started. We had something to go by and it was very helpful when we were cooking 2,000 halves. Everything we needed was in this document.”

Visit the Chicken BBQ Shack

Established in 1962, the 4-H Chicken Shack continues to be a popular food vendor at the Wilson County Fair/Tennessee State Fair. Cooking on an open pit and using the famous vinegar-based sauce, Wilson County 4-H’ers and volunteers come together for 10 days working countless hours, making it their biggest fundraiser.

“I have worked for 4-H close to eight years, and the tradition of the Chicken Shack was a tradition long before me,” says Morgan Nicole Beaty, Wilson County 4-H agent. “We have a lot of fun, and it’s a chance for 4-H families to get involved. Last year, we had 100 volunteers and recorded 400 hours of service. The recipe for the sauce is a historical recipe, and we still use it. One thing we do differently is boil the sauce so the salt will melt. That makes it easier to spray on the chicken.”

Barbeque Grill Master Challenge 

Although the format and name for the barbeque contests have changed over the years, the event remains a wonderful learning experience for 4-H’ers. Over the past 46 years, Tennessee 4-H’ers have claimed five national titles in the chicken barbeque contest.

“The important part of it was the kids learned a technique to do something and accomplish something,” Dr. Goans says of his time with 4-H. “The kids could start in the 8th grade and continue on through their senior year of high school. It was fun and a gradual learning experience. Two of the most common struggles I saw them have were overcooking the chicken and learning how to start a fire.”

Goans says it was a joy to watch the students improve each year and Tennessee had several national winners throughout the years.

“I remember this one young lady who was in the eighth grade and couldn’t get her fire started. She started crying and we helped her get it started,” he says. “The next year, she came back and did exceedingly well. And the next year, she used what she had learned and did a great job and was one of our winners.”

Another benefit of the contest is getting many of those 4-H’ers out of very rural areas to Knoxville or Nashville or the fairgrounds, helping them to be successful and socialize more. They are introduced to many individuals, including many of the judges who were faculty members of the university.

“The contest has changed since the earlier days, and now 4-H members work in teams of four,” Beaty says. “They can use different cuts of meat such as turkey, lamb, pork and of course, chicken. It’s really competitive, and it works out well for those 4-H’ers who come and volunteer at the Chicken Shack. It helps them to learn and improve their skills.”

The Tennessee Barbeque Sauce

Courtesy of the Wilson County 4-H Extension office

“This sauce was developed over many years by W.O. Sewell asking people what they liked, and this sauce will certainly produce a fine-looking product as well as one having a tangy, pleasing taste.”