A must-try! This sweet and savory combo is absolutely on point.

🍗 A Surprising Sweet and Savory BBQ Recipe

This dish blends the spicy warmth of curry with the sweetness of bananas, wrapped in crispy bacon for an irresistible finish. Slowly smoked on the BBQ, the chicken develops deep flavor, while the creamy curry sauce ties everything together. It’s a fun, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for surprising your guests around the fire.

🧾 Dish Background

Inspired by Southeast Asian flavors, this BBQ adaptation uses simple yet powerful ingredients: banana, bacon, curry, and whole chicken. The sweet-savory combo is reminiscent of Hawaiian or Thai dishes, reimagined here with slow charcoal smoking. The final glaze brings shine and a bold aromatic punch.

🥩 Pairings

A slightly sweet white wine like an off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer is a great match. For beer, go with a fruity Pale Ale or a citrusy spiced wheat beer.

🔥 Cooking Time

Prep: 15 minutes
Marinate: 24 hours
Cook: 2 hours
Total: about 26 hours (with marinade)

Ingredients

1 whole chicken
4 bananas
12 breakfast-style bacon slices

For the RUB:

1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp sweet paprika
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
1 tsp ground black pepper

For the Curry Sauce:

200 ml cream
1 tbsp rub
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp sugar (optional)

Instructions

Mix all rub ingredients together.
Lightly oil the chicken and coat it with the rub.
Set up your BBQ for indirect cooking at 250°F (120°C), lid closed if using a pellet grill.
For charcoal BBQ, place 2–3 wood chunks on the coals for smoke.
Place the chicken on the BBQ grate. Close the lid and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until internal temp reaches 72°C (161°F).
While the chicken is smoking, peel the bananas and wrap them in bacon. Sprinkle with a little rub. Add the bananas to the BBQ after the chicken has cooked for 1 hour.
Prepare the curry sauce by combining all ingredients in a small saucepan and heating over medium heat.
Stir gently until warm and smooth.

🥗 Serving Tips

Serve hot with fragrant rice or grilled potatoes. Drizzle generously with curry sauce when plating.

🍴 Dietary Variations

Dairy-free: use plant-based cream
Lighter version: skip the bacon and reduce the cream
Vegetarian: replace the chicken with smoked tofu or seitan

🧾 Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (~350 g)

Calories: 921 kcal 🟧

Total Fat	63.4 g
… Saturated Fat	19.8 g
… Omega-3	0.5 g
Carbohydrates	22.9 g
… Sugars	16.7 g
Dietary Fiber	2.6 g
Protein	66.1 g
Cholesterol	210 mg
Sodium	2.3 g
Calcium	45 mg
Iron	3.9 mg
Vitamin B12	2.8 µg

*DV: Daily Value based on a 2000 kcal diet

🧬 Health Insights – Cancer + Diabetes

💡

🥗 Is this recipe healthy ?

Smoked BBQ Chicken with Curry Sauce and Bacon-Wrapped Bananas is a flavor-packed dish that combines lean protein, fruit, dairy, and processed meat. Its nutritional profile largely depends on the amount of cream and bacon used, both of which increase the intake of saturated fats. However, the use of curry, spices, and gentle indirect smoking contributes to a rich aromatic profile without excessive charring.
From a health perspective, this recipe can be enjoyed occasionally—provided the sauce portions are controlled, cooking avoids burning, and the meal is balanced with suitable sides (like vegetables or whole grains). Bananas provide potassium, curry offers anti-inflammatory benefits, and chicken remains a lean protein source when the skin is removed.

🧬 Click to expand

🎗️ Cancer Nutrition Analysis
✅ Positives:

Gentle, indirect cooking with controlled smoking helps limit the production of PAHs.
No red meat.
Spices such as curry, garlic, and ginger are rich in antioxidants.

⚠️ To watch out for:

Bacon contains nitrites and N-nitroso compounds, both linked to processed meat risks.
Cream contributes high saturated fat if consumed in excess.
Sugar from brown sugar, pineapple, and banana increases the glycemic load moderately.

💡 Tips / Variations:

Use artisanal, nitrite-free bacon or a crispy plant-based substitute.
Replace cream with 5% Greek yogurt or a plant-based omega-3-enriched cream.
Serve with an antioxidant-rich green salad.

🩺 Diabetes Nutrition Analysis
✅ Strengths:

High in protein (chicken).
Moderate glycemic index thanks to whole bananas (fiber) and cream.
Low glycemic load if banana and sauce portions are moderate.

⚠️ Risks:

Added sugar in the sauce and bananas (brown sugar, sweetened cream).
Salty bacon may impact blood pressure.

💡 Tips / Variations:

Remove or reduce sugar in the curry sauce.
Use unsweetened plant-based cream or yogurt.
Pair with grilled vegetables or quinoa to avoid glucose spikes.

✅ Summary
This dish is flavorful but calorie-dense, with ingredients to watch for those at risk (saturated fat, bacon, added sugars). To make it health-friendly: