J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken Recipe

Rich aromas of honey, warm spices, and bubbling cheese instantly transport you to the bold flavors J Gumbo’s is known for.

This copycat Voodoo Chicken recipe captures that same irresistible balance tender chicken coated in a sweet-smoky sauce that clings beautifully to every bite. Perfect for weeknights or impressing guests, it brings restaurant comfort right into your kitchen.

Along the way, you’ll also find helpful flavor pairings and interlinks, including the creamy Friday’s spinach artichoke dip recipe, the zesty Jack in the Box Avocado Lime Sauce Recipe, and the fiery Bonchon spicy sauce recipe. Each one adds even more inspiration for building a full, soul-warming meal at home.

What Does J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken Taste Like?

Voodoo Chicken J Gumbo’s style is an irresistible flavor bomb that hits all the right notes. The grilled chicken arrives juicy and smoky with a subtle umami depth from Maggi seasoning, while Cuso’s signature spice blend adds layers of warmth and complexity.

Then comes the magic: hot honey brings a sticky-sweet heat that’s never overwhelming, perfectly balanced by tangy BBQ sauce. Finally, that gorgeous blanket of melted mozzarella and creamy Havarti ties everything together, creating rich, cheesy pulls with every bite.

Served over buttery jasmine rice with crispy roasted broccoli, it’s comfort food that dances between sweet, savory, spicy, and downright addictive.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Copycat J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken Recipe

For the Voodoo Chicken:

• 2-3 lbs chicken (chicken tenders and boneless skinless thighs mixed)
• 2-3 tablespoons Maggi seasoning
• 1-2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
• 1-2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons Cuso’s Dust seasoning (or favorite BBQ rub)
• 1 tablespoon Cuso’s Hot Honey seasoning (or hot honey spice blend)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3-4 tablespoons hot honey (plus extra for drizzling)
• ½ cup Kinder’s Honey Hot BBQ Sauce (or favorite honey-hot BBQ sauce)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1½ cups Havarti cheese, shredded or thinly sliced

For the Jasmine Rice:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3½ cups water or chicken broth

For the Roasted Broccoli:

• 1 lb fresh broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes:

• Extra hot honey for drizzling
• Extra Kinder’s Honey Hot BBQ sauce
• Fresh scallions or green onions, sliced

Kitchen Utensils You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl or gallon-size zip-top bag
• Fork (for tenderizing chicken)
• Grill or grill pan
• Medium saucepan with lid
• Large baking sheet
• Smaller baking sheet (for broccoli)
• Meat thermometer
• Chef’s knife and cutting board
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Tongs
• Oven mitts

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Marinating Time: 1-2 hours (or overnight)
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including minimum marinating)
• Servings: 6-8 servings

How to Make Voodoo Chicken J Gumbo Style: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken Take your chicken pieces and poke them all over with a fork – this helps tenderize the meat and allows all those amazing J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken ingredients to penetrate deeply. In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine the chicken with Maggi seasoning, neutral oil, water, Cuso’s Dust seasoning, Cuso’s Hot Honey seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a generous drizzle of hot honey. Mix thoroughly using gloves or by massaging the sealed bag. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, though overnight marinating creates even more intense flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Jasmine Rice In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the dry jasmine rice and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly golden. This step adds a beautiful nutty depth to your rice base. Add water or chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until tender and fluffy. Keep warm until serving.

Step 3: Roast the Broccoli Preheat your oven to 425-450°F. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and black pepper on a baking sheet, spreading them in a single layer. Roast for 8-12 minutes until the edges are crispy and slightly charred but the florets remain bright green. The caramelized bits add incredible flavor contrast to the sweet chicken.

Step 4: Grill the Marinated Chicken Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade (shake off excess) and grill for 5-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until fully cooked with beautiful char marks and an internal temperature of 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes to retain juices, then chop into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Step 5: Create the Cheesy Voodoo Magic This is where your copycat J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken recipe truly comes to life. Preheat your oven to 350-375°F. Spread the chopped grilled chicken across a large baking sheet. Drizzle generously with Kinder’s Honey Hot BBQ sauce and extra hot honey, making sure every piece gets coated. Layer with mozzarella cheese first, then add the Havarti for that creamy richness, and finish with another layer of mozzarella on top for optimal meltiness and cheese pulls. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the cheese is bubbly, golden, and completely melted.

Step 6: Assemble Your Voodoo Chicken Bowls Scoop a generous portion of buttery jasmine rice into each bowl as your foundation. Top with a hefty serving of the cheesy hot-honey chicken, making sure to get plenty of that melted cheese goodness. Add roasted broccoli on the side or mix it right into the bowl. Finish with extra drizzles of hot honey and Kinder’s BBQ sauce, then garnish with fresh sliced scallions for a pop of color and brightness.

Customization and Pairing Ideas for Your J Gumbos Voodoo Chicken

1. Switch Up the Protein While this how to make J Gumbo’s Voodoo recipe traditionally uses chicken, you can absolutely apply this flavor profile to shrimp, pork chops, or even firm tofu. Shrimp cooks faster (just 3-4 minutes per side), while pork chops need about 6-8 minutes per side. The marinade works beautifully across proteins.

2. Make It a Pasta Bowl Skip the rice and serve your Voodoo Chicken J Gumbos style over al dente penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi pasta. The hot honey and BBQ sauce cling to pasta ridges perfectly, and you can even add the cheese directly to tossed pasta for a creamy, cohesive dish.

3. Load Up on Vegetables Beyond broccoli, try roasted Brussels sprouts, charred asparagus, sautéed bell peppers and onions, or even corn on the cob brushed with hot honey. The more veggies, the more you balance out that rich, cheesy goodness.

4. Create Voodoo Chicken Tacos Skip the rice bowl format entirely and stuff warm flour or corn tortillas with the cheesy chicken, adding shredded cabbage, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. It’s a fun fusion twist that still honors those signature flavors.

5. Adjust the Heat Level If you’re cooking for heat-sensitive folks, reduce or omit the Cuso’s Hot Honey seasoning and use regular honey instead of hot honey. For spice lovers, add cayenne pepper to the marinade, use extra hot BBQ sauce, or top with sliced fresh jalapeños and a drizzle of sriracha.

6. Go Grain-Free with Cauliflower Rice For a lower-carb option, swap jasmine rice for seasoned cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or even a bed of fresh mixed greens. The hot honey and BBQ sauce still provide plenty of satisfying flavor without the grains.

7. Add Crispy Texture Elements Top your finished bowls with crispy fried onions, toasted sesame seeds, crushed tortilla chips, or even crumbled bacon for textural contrast. That crunch against the tender chicken and melted cheese creates an incredibly satisfying eating experience.

Essential Tips for Perfect Voodoo Chicken J Gumbo’s Style

1. Don’t Skip the Fork-Poking Step When you poke holes all over the chicken before marinating, you’re creating channels for the Maggi seasoning, spices, and hot honey to penetrate. This technique, called docking, ensures your chicken isn’t just seasoned on the surface but flavored throughout. It also helps tenderize tougher cuts.

2. Maggi Seasoning Is Your Secret Weapon If you’ve never used Maggi seasoning before, you’re in for a treat. This umami-rich liquid seasoning (found in the international aisle) adds incredible savory depth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is. It’s what gives this copycat J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken recipe its restaurant-quality complexity. Don’t substitute with soy sauce – they’re not the same.

3. Mix Chicken Cuts for Best Results Using a combination of chicken tenders and boneless thighs gives you the best of both worlds. Tenders cook quickly and stay tender, while thighs offer richer flavor and stay juicier during grilling. This mix mimics the varied textures you get at J Gumbo’s and ensures no one piece gets overcooked.

4. Toast Your Rice for Restaurant Quality That step where you toast the jasmine rice in butter before adding liquid isn’t optional if you want authentic results. Toasting develops nutty, complex flavors and helps each grain stay separate and fluffy rather than gummy. It’s a technique used in pilaf-style rice preparations and makes a noticeable difference.

5. Layer Your Cheese Strategically The order matters when creating that signature cheese pull. Start with mozzarella (great melting, mild flavor), add Havarti in the middle (creamy, slightly tangy richness), then finish with more mozzarella on top (browns beautifully). This three-layer approach prevents the Havarti from browning too much while ensuring gooey, stretchy cheese throughout.

6. Rest Your Chicken Before Chopping After grilling, let your chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before chopping. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat rather than running out onto your cutting board. The result is noticeably juicier, more tender chicken that stays moist even after that final cheese-melting bake.

7. Control Your Drizzle Amounts When learning how to make voodoo chicken J Gumbo style, it’s tempting to go heavy on the hot honey and BBQ sauce. Start with less than you think you need when assembling, then add more at the table. Too much sauce before baking can make your chicken soggy and overpower the careful seasoning you built in the marinade. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

Storage and Reheating Your J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken

Store leftover Voodoo Chicken separately from rice and broccoli in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes to maintain the cheese texture, or microwave in 30-second intervals. Rice reheats best with a splash of water in the microwave, covered.

Common Questions About This Copycat J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken Recipe that people often ask.

Can I make J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken without a grill?

Absolutely! If you don’t have access to a grill, you can cook the marinated chicken in a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat, or even bake it in a 425°F oven for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. The key is getting some caramelization on the chicken for that signature flavor. You can also broil it for the last 2-3 minutes to add char marks.

What can I substitute for Cuso’s seasonings?

While Cuso’s Dust and Hot Honey seasonings are fantastic, they’re not always easy to find. For Cuso’s Dust, use any quality BBQ rub or make your own with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and black pepper. For the Hot Honey seasoning, mix regular hot honey with a pinch of cayenne pepper and chili flakes, or use a spicy honey rub from brands like Traeger or Weber.

Is there a substitute for Maggi seasoning?

Maggi seasoning has a unique umami profile, but if you can’t find it, use a combination of Worcestershire sauce and a splash of soy sauce (use half the amount called for in the recipe). Another option is liquid aminos or even a small amount of beef bouillon dissolved in water. None are exact matches, but they’ll add that savory depth to your marinade.

Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Marinate the chicken the night before (it actually gets better with longer marinating time). You can also cook the rice and roast the broccoli ahead, storing them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, just grill the chicken, add the toppings and cheese, and bake. Everything comes together in under 30 minutes when prepped this way.

What’s the best way to get that restaurant-style cheese pull?

The secret to those Instagram-worthy cheese pulls is using freshly shredded cheese (pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting) and layering your cheeses strategically. Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best stretch, and don’t overbake – you want the cheese just melted and bubbly, not browned and crusty. Pull a piece while the cheese is still hot for maximum stretch.

Can I make this recipe spicier or milder?

Definitely! The beauty of making J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken ingredients at home is controlling the heat level. For milder versions, use regular honey instead of hot honey, choose a sweet BBQ sauce instead of honey-hot, and reduce or omit the Cuso’s Hot Honey seasoning. For spicier versions, add cayenne to the marinade, use extra hot sauce, include diced jalapeños before adding cheese, or drizzle with sriracha mayo at serving.

Why do I need to use jasmine rice specifically?

While you can technically use any rice, jasmine rice has a naturally buttery, slightly floral aroma and a soft, slightly sticky texture that’s perfect for bowl-style dishes. It clings together just enough to soak up all that hot honey and BBQ sauce without getting mushy. Long-grain white rice or basmati work as alternatives, but they won’t have that same aromatic quality that complements the sweet and savory chicken.

How do I know when my chicken is fully cooked?

Always use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part. Visually, the juices should run clear (not pink), and the meat should be opaque throughout. Since you’re chopping and baking the chicken again with cheese, slight carryover cooking will happen, but you want it fully cooked after grilling to ensure even the thickest pieces are safe to eat.

Can I freeze leftover Voodoo Chicken?

You can freeze the grilled, marinated chicken before adding cheese for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. However, I don’t recommend freezing the fully assembled dish with cheese, as dairy doesn’t always reheat well from frozen and can become grainy. Freeze the components separately – cooked chicken in one container, cooked rice in another – then assemble fresh when ready to eat.

What sides go well with this besides rice and broccoli?

While jasmine rice and roasted broccoli are traditional, this versatile dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread for soaking up extra sauce, a crisp cucumber and tomato salad to cut the richness, seasoned black beans for added protein and fiber, coleslaw for crunch and acidity, roasted sweet potato wedges for extra sweetness, or even simple corn on the cob brushed with butter and hot honey.

There’s something truly special about recreating restaurant favorites in your own kitchen, and this copycat J Gumbo’s Voodoo Chicken recipe delivers all that sweet, spicy, cheesy magic without the drive across town.

Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or impressing friends at your next dinner gathering, these flavor-packed bowls never disappoint.

Now that you know how to make voodoo chicken J Gumbo style, you can customize it to your preferences and enjoy it any time the craving hits. Give this recipe a try and let me know how your homemade version turns out!

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