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Grill up a Summer Feast: Chicken and Turkey Recipes

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!

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.

Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)
Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

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.

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

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.

Simple Turkey Burger Recipe
Simple Turkey Burger Recipe

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.

Chicken and Strawberry Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
Chicken and Strawberry Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

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?

BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

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!

Smoked Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken Bombs
Smoked Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken Bombs

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.

Grilled Chili Lime Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)

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!

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken and Pineapple
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken and Pineapple

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.

Smoked Pulled Chicken Breasts
Smoked Pulled Chicken Breasts

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!

The Best Greek Chicken Marinade
The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

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.

Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken
Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken

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.

Coconut Chicken Skewers
Coconut Chicken Skewers

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.

Keto Barbecue Chicken
Keto Barbecue Chicken

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.

Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast
Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast

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.

Portuguese Chicken Piri Piri
Portuguese Chicken Piri Piri

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.

Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich

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.

Easy Chicken Satay Recipe with Homemade Peanut Sauce
Easy Chicken Satay Recipe with Homemade Peanut Sauce

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.

Classic Chicken Salad
Classic Chicken Salad

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.

Achiote Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Achiote Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

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.

The Best Grilled Chicken With A Creamy Garlic Sauce
The Best Grilled Chicken With A Creamy Garlic Sauce

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!

Chicken Fajitas on the Blackstone
Chicken Fajitas on the Blackstone

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.

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Breast
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Breast

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.

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Kabobs

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!

Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken – A Recipe by Executive Chef Dwight Morris
Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken – A Recipe by Executive Chef Dwight Morris

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!

BBQ Chicken Nachos
BBQ Chicken Nachos

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!

Thai Turkey Burgers: Homemade Burger Recipe
Thai Turkey Burgers: Homemade Burger Recipe

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.

Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken
Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken

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.

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