🔥 5 champion-worthy chicken recipes to kick off summer bbq season

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🔥 5 Champion-Worthy Chicken Recipes to Kick Off Summer BBQ Season

Memphis in May 2025 may be in the rearview mirror, but the flame is still burning here at Springer Mountain Farms. From Chef Jonathan's Big Green Egg demos to the incredible wing and chicken entries, this year’s competition proved one thing: great chicken makes for great barbecue.

Now it’s your turn to bring the heat home.

We’ve rounded up 5 flavorful chicken recipes inspired by what we saw (and tasted!) all weekend long. Whether you’re firing up the grill, meal prepping with bold flavors, or planning a backyard get-together, these recipes deliver the same winning energy.

1. 🍗 Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Classic. Saucy. Irresistible.
These juicy grilled thighs are a nod to what the pros served in the poultry and wing competitions. They’re simple, smoky, and loaded with that traditional BBQ flavor everyone loves.

Close-up view of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs sizzling on a grill, coated in a glossy layer of barbecue sauce. The rich, caramelized glaze gives the chicken a mouthwatering finish as smoke rises between the grill grates.

🔥 How to Grill Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs (Barbecue Style)

🍗 What You’ll Need:

Bone-in, skin-on Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Thighs
Your favorite BBQ rub (sweet, smoky, or spicy—your call!)
Barbecue sauce (for glazing at the end)
Kosher salt and black pepper
High-heat cooking oil (like canola or avocado)
Grill tongs and a meat thermometer

🔧 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prep the Chicken

Pat the thighs dry with paper towels.
Season generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite BBQ rub.
Let the seasoned chicken sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes while you heat the grill.

Set Up a Two-Zone Grill

Gas grill: Preheat one side to medium-high heat and leave the other side on low or off.
Charcoal grill: Bank coals to one side to create hot and cool zones.

This setup allows you to sear first, then cook low and slow without flare-ups.

Sear Skin-Side Down

Place thighs skin-side down directly over the hot side of the grill.
Grill for 3–5 minutes, until the skin is golden and slightly crispy. Watch for flare-ups.
Flip and move to the cooler side of the grill.

Slow Grill to Cook Through

Close the lid and cook indirectly for 20–30 minutes.
Internal temperature should reach 165°F in the thickest part (use a meat thermometer).
Optional: Flip occasionally for even cooking and to prevent burning.

Glaze with BBQ Sauce

In the last 5–7 minutes, brush on your favorite barbecue sauce.
Move the chicken back to the hot zone briefly to caramelize the sauce, turning once to avoid burning.

Rest & Serve

Let chicken rest for 5–10 minutes after removing from grill.
Serve hot with extra sauce on the side.

🏆 Pro Tips:

Don’t rush the indirect cook time—that’s how you get juicy meat without burnt skin.
If you like smoky flavor, toss wood chips onto the coals or use a smoker box.
For extra crispy skin, avoid saucing too early.

2. 🌶️ Harissa Grilled Chicken Wings with Cilantro Yogurt

Bold & Global – With Just the Right Kick
Inspired by the Hot Wing Ancillary Category, these harissa wings are spicy, vibrant, and served with a cool cilantro yogurt dip. Perfect for party platters or summer nights with a twist.

👉 Try the Wings

A plate of grilled harissa chicken wings topped with a drizzle of creamy cilantro yogurt sauce and garnished with fresh chopped herbs. The dish is served on a white plate next to a Springer Mountain Farms branded wooden board with a lemon half, cilantro sprigs, and a bowl of the vibrant green sauce.

3. 🍔 Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Buffalo Chicken Gets A Backyard Boost

Spice up your grill game with this flavorful Buffalo Chicken Burger made from Springer Mountain Farms ground chicken and bold buffalo seasoning. A juicy, healthier twist on a game day classic—perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight meals.

👉Grill the Burger

Pro Tip: If you can't find the formed Chicken burgers, form patties using Springer Mountain Farms ground chicken and grill to perfection.

4. 🍗 Korean BBQ Drumsticks

Sticky. Sweet. Spicy. Unforgettable.
The incredible Junior Competitors brought creativity, and so can you. Drumsticks are easy to grill and loaded with flavor. These Korean BBQ drumsticks are marinated in umami-rich sauce, grilled to a caramelized finish, and sure to be a crowd favorite.

👉 Make the Drumsticks

Korean BBQ chicken drumsticks cooking on a grill, charred and caramelized to perfection with a glossy, deep-red glaze. The drumsticks are arranged over open grates inside a ceramic grill, showcasing a rich, smoky finish and bold flavors.

5. 🥗 Chipotle Peach Smoked Chicken Salad

Cool Down with a Smoky, Sweet Twist
After all that fire, here’s a refreshingly smoky salad to balance your plate. With chipotle heat and juicy peach notes, it’s a summer-ready spin on traditional chicken salad — perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or a bed of greens.

👉 Get the Recipe

A croissant sandwich filled with chipotle peach smoked chicken salad, garnished with green onions and paprika, rests on a Springer Mountain Farms wooden board. Sliced peaches and pecans are scattered around the board, highlighting the sweet and smoky flavors of the dish.

🏆 Your Summer Just Became Championship-Worthy

Whether you’re firing up the grill, tailgating like a pro, or just craving something bold and different, these recipes let you bring home the flavor of Memphis in May.

📽️ Haven’t seen the action yet?
Watch our sizzle reel recap here →
→ Watch the Sizzle. Taste the Glory.