Myron Mixon's World Famous Cupcake Chicken

Today, we're tackling a recipe that's near and dear to my heart – Myron Mixon's World Famous Cupcake Chicken. This dish is a real crowd-pleaser, and it's perfect for backyard cookouts, game day gatherings, or any time you want to impress your friends and family with your BBQ skills. Now, you might be wondering, "Cupcake chicken? What's that all about?" Well, the name comes from the unique way we cook these chicken thighs – nestled individually in a muffin tin, they bake up juicy and tender, with a beautiful caramelized glaze. Get ready to take some notes because this recipe is a game-changer!

Yields: 12 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 12 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt 
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Myron Mixon's BBQ sauce (or your favorite sauce)

Equipment:

• Muffin tin
• Aluminum baking pan
• Smoker

Instructions:

Prepare the chicken:

1. Cut the knuckles off both ends of the chicken thighs. Trim to roughly 3.5" x 3.5". Leave about 1/4" of fat hanging over.
2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. Rub this mixture all over the chicken thighs.

Prepare the smoker:

1. Preheat your smoker to 300 degrees F.
2. Place the muffin tin in the aluminum baking pan and pour in the chicken broth.

Cook the chicken:

1. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the muffin tin.
2. Put the pan in the smoker and cook for 90 minutes.
3. After 90 minutes, salt and pepper the tops of the chicken thighs, then gently turn them over and salt and pepper the bottoms. Cook for another 45 minutes.
4. Remove the chicken from the muffin tin and place on a cookie sheet.
5. Apply Myron's BBQ sauce (or your favorite sauce) and put back in the smoker for about 30 minutes to glaze.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips and tricks:

• You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• If you don't have a smoker, you can cook the chicken in a conventional oven at 300 degrees F.
• For extra flavor, you can add a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme to the chicken broth.
• Serve the cupcake chicken with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread.