Copycat Moes Chicken Recipes

BIG MOE'S MEMPHIS-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Trim the chicken thighs to make them more uniform, then use a needle tenderizer to perforate the skin to aid in achieving bite through the skin.
• In a large pot, combine the brown sugar, salt and 64 ounces (2 quarts) water. Heat until the salt and sugar totally dissolve in the water. Remove from the heat, let cool at room temperature and place in the refrigerator to chill the brine. Place the chicken in the chilled brine for 2 to 3 hours.
• Set up a smoker or a gas grill on indirect heat at a pit temperature of 300 degrees F. Use hickory chips or chunks for the smoker. If using a gas grill, put the chips in a smoke box or foil pan under the grates on the burners.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Coat the chicken with the canola oil, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the BBQ Chicken Rub on both sides. Place the chicken in a mesh grill basket or on a wire rack.
• Cook until the chicken reaches 185 degrees F, 35 to 45 minutes. It's technically done at 165 degrees F, but take it to a higher internal temperature to achieve a better mouth feel. Remove the chicken, coat with 1 cup of the BBQ Sauce and put back on the grill for a few minutes to set the sauce. Serve with the remaining sauce on the side.
• In a bowl, add the sugar, paprika, pink sea salt, celery salt, granulated onion, chili powder, mustard and cayenne and whisk until combined.
• Mix the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, black pepper, mustard, liquid smoke, chili powder, white pepper, coriander, cayenne and 1/2 cup water in a saucepot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring continuously. Turn off the heat, add the cognac and stir to combine. Set the sauce to the side for later use.

COPYCAT CHIPOTLE® CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chipotle chile pepper and ancho chile pepper in a bowl; pour in water. Cover bowl and let sit until peppers are softened, at least 10 to 12 hours. Drain water and remove seeds from peppers.
• Blend chile peppers, red onion, garlic, sea salt, cumin, oregano, and black pepper in a blender until a coarse paste forms; add olive oil and blend until marinade is smooth.
• Pound chicken thighs flat with a meat mallet and trim excess skin. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag and add marinade. Turn chicken several times to coat. Seal bag and marinate at least 8 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill with top and bottom plates for medium-high heat. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade.
• Cook chicken on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 5 to 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cut into strips.

SHAKEY'S FAMOUS CHICKEN & MOJOS (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• NOTE: THIS RECIPE REQUIRES A TOTAL OF 7 TABLESPOONS LAWRY'S SEASONED SALT (MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH ON HAND BEFORE PREPARING RECIPE, OR HALVE RECIPE TO ACCOMMODATE). (STEP ONE): RINSE and blot chicken; WASH and scrub potatoes; CUT potatoes between 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch rounds (about the width of a McDonald's french fry; DISCARD potato ends.
• MIX the CHICKEN AND POTATO BRINE ingredients in a 3 quart saucepan (with an accompanying lid) until dissolved; PLACE potato slices in a smaller saucepan with an accompanying lid; POUR enough prepared brine to just cover potatoes, then cover; PLACE chicken pieces into 3 quart saucepan with remaining brine and cover; TRANSFER marination saucepans into refrigerator; MARINATE chicken and potatoes between 2-4 hours; MEANWHILE, combine the BREADING ingredients well, in a large sealable container, such as a GLAD food storage container or a Ziploc bag; BREAK up clumps with a wire whisk; SEAL the container with mixture; SHAKE well until thoroughly combined.
• REMOVE a handful of potatoes from brine; PLACE potatoes into the breading mixture container; SEAL container firmly; SHAKE gently in all motions to thoroughly coat until evenly and generously breaded; TRANSFER breaded potatoes onto a platter; REPEAT procedure with remaining potatoes (don't bread chicken yet).
• ADD the manufacturer's recommended amount frying oil for deep-frying (use canola oil); PLACE deep-fryer basket into place in deep-fryer; PREHEAT fryer to 350°F (or preheat enough fat to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot to 350°F, using a standard deep-fryer thermometer to gauge).
• ELEVATE and secure the deep-fryer basket; PLACE breaded potatoes into basket; LOWER basket; FRY potatoes for 2 minutes; RAISE basket to drain; USING tongs, remove hot potatoes; ADD potatoes in increments into the BREADING once again; SEAL and shake until potatoes are evenly/thoroughly coated; TRANSFER re-dredged potatoes onto previous platter to absorb breading again, until all chicken is fried.
• REMOVE 1-3 pieces chicken from brine; PLACE chicken into breading container; SEAL container firmly; SHAKE container gently in all motions to thoroughly coat chicken until evenly and generously breaded; REPEAT wit remaining chicken; TRANSFER onto another platter; ALLOW breaded chicken to absorb the breading for a few minutes.
• CAREFULLY drop each piece breaded chicken one at a time, gently into the deep-fryer with basket immersed, without crowding (if a standard size home fryer is used, add no more than 2-3 pieces at a time), turning once halfway through frying duration).
• FRY chicken about 13-15 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done); DRAIN chicken on paper towels; MAINTAIN frying fat temperature for each new batch until all chicken is fried; KEEP chicken warm in preheated 170°F oven.
• RAISE and secure deep-fryer basket; ADD the potatoes once again into basket; LOWER basket slowly into hot oil; FRY potatoes until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes.
• SERVE chicken and potatoes with desired condiments and enjoy!