How do you host the perfect Summer BBQ? Start with the guest list, decorate your backyard, and then decide on your menu, of course! If you’re into chicken and turkey as a main course, you are going to love this list of recipe ideas!
Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious chicken or turkey. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just looking to switch up your dinner routine, there are plenty of mouth-watering recipes to choose from. From sweet and tangy marinades to spicy dry rubs, there’s a flavor profile to suit every taste preference.
Plus, there are so many different cuts of chicken and turkey to choose from, so you can mix and match depending on what you’re in the mood for. Whether you prefer boneless skinless chicken breasts or juicy turkey burgers, we’ve rounded up 35 awesome recipes from the top food bloggers for you to try!
Looking for more recipes? Check out these posts for more food ideas for your Summer BBQ!
Find our Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Los Angeles here!
Best Chicken and Turkey Entrées for a Summer BBQ or Party
Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)
From Gypsyplate
Juicy, tender, chicken on a stick is the perfect main course for your summer barbeque. This recipe takes only a few ingredients and it’s quick to make.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
From Fit As A Mama Bear
If you’re searching for an entrée you can cook on the grill for an outdoor party, look no further than the recipe for these Teriyaki chicken skewers. They’re gluten-free and should pair nicely with nearly any side dish.
Simple Turkey Burger Recipe
From I Heart Eating
You can make these turkey burgers ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them to save time later. When you’re ready to cook them, just throw them on the grill or cook them on your stovetop.
Chicken and Strawberry Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
From Real Food with Sarah
A salad is a great way to eat light and healthy this summer, and this recipe is full of seasoned chicken, plump ripe strawberries, greens, and other delicious ingredients.
BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
From Homemade Heather
Barbequed drumsticks are simple to make and only require you to have chicken and your favorite barbecue sauce. What recipe could be simpler?
Smoked Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken Bombs
From Erica’s Recipes
Are you craving something a little spice for your next backyard barbeque? Check out this recipe for smoked jalapeno-stuffed chicken bombs — and there’s no need to handle actual jalapeno peppers with this recipe!
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
From Strength & Sunshine
If you’re eating Palo or gluten-free, this grilled chili lime chicken is a great addition to your list of healthy recipes that are also tasty. You might even have most of the ingredients on hand already.
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken and Pineapple
From Cooking with Curls
What could be better than caramelized chicken hot off the grill for your next party or get-together? We think this chicken looks heavenly!
Smoked Pulled Chicken Breasts
From Whatsmoking
Similar to pulled pork, you can also make smoked pulled chicken. Because they’re injected they don’t dry out. Serve it on a deli-type bun with barbeque sauce and add potato salad or coleslaw for a picnic.
The Best Greek Chicken Marinade
From the Forked Spoon
You can whip up this chicken dish with ease, and as a plus, the ingredients are pretty basic. It’s sure to please your whole family and may even have them begging for more!
Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken
From foodworthfeed
This versatile recipe can be cooked and eaten as is but you can also enjoy it tossed in a salad, added to pasta, or made into a sandwich. It’s also easy to make.
Coconut Chicken Skewers
From Through the Fibro Fog
Nothing screams BBQ more than eating meat and veggies on a kabob in the summer. Add some grilled corn on the cobb and you’ll have a bang-up meal for Independence Day or any other summertime event.
Keto Barbecue Chicken
From Joy Filled Eats
If you’re watching your carb intake or following a Keto diet plan this recipe is quite literally a winner, winner, chicken dinner! It’s also quick to make, which is great if you have a full calendar.
Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast
From Joy Filled Eats
Need another super quick meal idea that’s delicious as well as fast to make? This grilled stuffed chicken fits the bill.
Portuguese Chicken Piri Piri
From Emma Eats & Explores
We think this Portuguese Chicken Piri Piri looks delicious and full of flavor! It also promises to have enough to feed a family of four easily.
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich
From The Toasty Kitchen
A grilled chicken sandwich is perfect for a neighborhood barbeque in your backyard. Pair it with some baked beans and a colorful salad for a complete meal.
Easy Chicken Satay Recipe with Homemade Peanut Sauce
From An Edible Mosaic
This chicken is a little bit spicy while also being a little bit sweet. And if the weather isn’t cooperating enough to grill outside you can cook this recipe inside in an oven or air fryer instead.
Classic Chicken Salad
From Salad On a Roll
When it’s super hot outside you don’t always want to fire up your oven or even the grill outside. But you can stay inside and cool off with ice cold drinks and light, cool food choices like this chicken salad sandwhich.
Achiote Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
From Flavorful Eats
How about a little southwest flavor for your next barbeque or outdoor gathering? These chicken tacos will be a hit — and you can use either white or dark meat, depending on your preference.
The Best Grilled Chicken With A Creamy Garlic Sauce
From The Kitchen and a Latte
Your family and friends will ask for seconds when you serve this chicken dish with its accompanying garlic sauce. It’s also easy to make and you’ll probably have most of what you need on hand.
Chicken Fajitas on the Blackstone
From Thrifty NW Family
Fajitas are a great way to add some good-for-you vegetables to your entrée. They also make your main attraction a colorful dish!
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Breast
From Food Wine & Love
This recipe is another versatile one that can be made on the grill or inside in your oven. It’s simple to make and you can put the leftovers in a salad, tortilla shell, bun, or bowl of pasta.
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Kabobs
From Princess Pinky Girl
How about serving a more tropical flavored main course for your next summer BBQ or party? These kabobs are sure to please and easy to make.
Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken – A Recipe by Executive Chef Dwight Morris
From Christina’s Cucina
You’ll find a taste of Jamaica and the Caribbean in this wonderful chicken dish. Just add your favorite sides for a complete meal!
BBQ Chicken Nachos
From Great Chicken Recipes
Would you like a chicken recipe your whole family, including the kids, will love? Try these barbeque chicken nachos and you’ll probably have everyone begging for more!
Thai Turkey Burgers: Homemade Burger Recipe
From Dizzy Busy & Hungry
While we already have one turkey burger recipe higher in this article, we couldn’t resist adding another because this one looks too good to pass up!
Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken
From Wok Your World
We couldn’t call our list complete without adding this Asian inspired recipe! It’s loaded with fresh veggies and flavor.
Jeanne Sloan is a farm wife, mother of two, and grandmother of two who was born in Las Vegas, Nevada but was transformed into a country girl at the age of eight when her parents moved the family to Kansas. You can read more from Jeanne Sloan at mid-lifemusings.com where she writes about whatever strikes her fancy, including advice, recipes, and more.
Acknowledgment: This round-up of recipes and photos from other bloggers was made with their full and express permission to share. We’re grateful to them for sharing their creativity and talent and we encourage you to visit each of their websites for many more recipes like these.
