This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Ok so YOU GUYS.
I have serious summer eats on the brain, and it doesn’t help that I just spent Monday and Tuesday in LA for meetings. I mean, it was only 70 degrees, but man, the sunshine and warmer temps were kind of amazing. It was a busy and quick trip, so I didn’t get nearly enough time outside, but it was still nice.
Also, I think I should probably just move myself to southern California because I could really get used to their weather…and their shopping…and their FARMERS MARKETS.
But for now I’ll just dream… and go visit my brother whenever possible. I already have major plans to take Asher to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter this summer. She’s been begging me to take her for months and I promised her that once I finished my book manuscript, we would go. Hoping for sometime in July, and hoping to make it a longer trip this time! Maybe even go to the beach, actually do a little shopping and eat at all the best brunch spots. DUH.
Okok, but my point in all this rambling is that my summer food cravings are strong. I guess it’s kind of appropriate since Memorial Day weekend is not this weekend, but then next. For me that’s always the unofficial start to summertime! 🙂
So let’s talk BBQ Chicken. Did you guys grow up on this?? My dad would make grilled BBQ chicken in the summertime, all the time. It was just so quick and easy. Plus, it was a meal he could serve with rice, which you know is a HUGE hit in my family.
This dish kind of goes back to mom’s and my comfort meal of chicken and rice. In the winter the chicken was baked, but in the summer it was grilled, and smothered in BBQ sauce. The only real difference was the sauce and maybe some grilled corn, but we loved it, and to this day it’s still one of my mom’s and my favorite flavors.
A lot of times I will text people recipes and ask them to choose their favorites. I’ll text them a list of six or so recipes to a few people, mom included, and all will come back saying the same thing. BBQ Chicken!!
Well OK then!
Here’s how this works, it’s simple and always a favorite. First, you’ll need some polenta. I like to use dry polenta and cook it with milk + a touch of butter. It makes for the creamiest polenta. Then comes the cheddar cheese and charred corn!
Yes and YES.
Really, can you ever go wrong with a little cheddar and a little corn? NOPE.
So while the polenta is cooking, just toss the chicken with your all time favorite BBQ sauce and some honey. The honey is a MUST. It adds a sweetness that pairs so well with the corn and the polenta. Plus, it helps the honey barbecue chicken to get a nice caramelization, and makes for a super sticky sauce…aka the way all BBQ sauces should be (in my opinion).
Then just grill. See, super simple. You can also bake the chicken in the oven if you prefer, or if you don’t have a grill…or if the weather is just plain crappy, which I know all too well.
UGH.
Hang in there though guys, the nice weather will come, and when it does we’ll have plenty of recipes to make and eat outside. Yeah!!
Alright, so once your polenta is all ready to go and your chicken is grilled, you just need a few more things…
…avocado, because well, I add avocado to everything these days.
…peaches!! My grocery store had California Peaches and guys I wasn’t sure if they would be good, but they where SO good. If you have peaches in your store add a few fresh or grilled slices to this meal, YUM.
…fresh cilantro and chives. I feel like the cilantro is obvious, but you could also use fresh basil, I think that would be amazing. The chives are sort of a new thing for me. I am really into them right now. Loving their flavor atop so many dishes!
…and lastly – more cheese! Do I need to explain this? Never enough cheese!
Honey BBQ Chicken and Charred Corn Polenta.
Ingredients
Polenta
- 2 cup polenta
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 ears sweet corn, charred, grilled or even left raw, kernels removed from the cob
- kosher salt
BBQ chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders
- 1 cup BBQ sauce + more for serving
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 peaches, sliced (left raw or grilled)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- handful fresh cilantro
- fresh chopped chives
Instructions
Polenta
- Bring 3 cups water and 3 cups milk to a low boil in a large size pot. Whisk in the polenta and cook 15-20 minutes until thickened. Stir in the butter and cheddar cheese until melted. Add the corn and season with salt + pepper.
Chicken
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
- In a large gallon size zip-top bag or glass bowl, combine the chicken, BBQ sauce and honey and toss well to coat.
- Grill the chicken, brushing with any leftover BBQ sauce for 3-4 minutes per side, gently flipping 2-3 times until chicken is cooked through and has light char marks. You can also use a grill pan or skillet. Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.*
- To serve, divide the polenta among bowls. Top the polenta with sliced peaches, avocado and the BBQ chicken. Garnish with cilantro and chives. EAT!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
And then you’re DONE. Honey BBQ Chicken and Charred Corn Polenta in under an hour… please and thank you!
So polenta is pretty much my favorite thing EVER (granted I say that about quite a few things), and I love serving it with BBQ shrimp (my own take on “shrimp and grits”). I know I would absolutely adore this meal! The peaches and avocado are great additions! (two more of my favorite things ever, lol)
Thanks for the recipe!
– MAK
That sounds so good!! I hope you get to try this Margaret!! Thank you!
That charred corn polenta is calling my name, what a great summer meal!
YES it is!! Hope you love it! Thanks Laura!
Oh my goodness this is the perfect Summer meal. BBQ chicken is a staple in my house, I’ve got to try this!!
Please do!! Let me know what you think!! Thanks Christina!
Okay, I stinking love California! It is so beautiful all the time and sometimes I *seriously* wish I lived there. This is a perfect recipe for summer eats, I need all of these polenta bowls + honey bbq chicken STAT!
I’m SO with you!! Thanks so much! Hope you get to make it Lucia!
Hi Tieghan!
This looks so good! I am a vegetarian, but I am sure that my family (five picky siblings) would enjoy this meal. I really want to try the grilled peaches! They look amazing!
When I saw this word I immediately thought of you 🙂
tur·o·phile
n.
A lover of cheese.
Have a great day!
Ps.
This is my first time commenting on your blog, but I have been reading it for a little over a year.
I’m so happy you finally did! So hi Eleanor!!
I am so A turophile! LOL! Thank you for sharing this!!
I hope you get to make this for your family!! And maybe some of my vegetarian recipes for yourself? (:
I love polenta and this looks like an amazing dish, so yummy! Oh and love that bowl you used! 🙂
Thanks so much Lili!! Hope you get to make it!!
Ohohoho, the farmers’ markets in California are BOMB diggity! You can find so many incredible thingsssssss 😀 I cannot wait to try this amazing BBQ chicken! I want this plate NOW.
AH! SO jealous! Seriously. You should make this!!!!
oh my! this is everything i want. yum!
Thanks Michelle!
I’ve been craving the sunny weather and all the BBQs, too! We’ve been getting rain intermittently which we uuuuber need, but I’m ready for all the heat + delish BBQ chicken. This meal looks absolutely fabulous – I can definitely see it being a family favorite 😉
But rain is such a bummer! I hope for sun and BBQ in your near future! Thanks Julia!
This sounds absolutely delicious! Love the polenta with charred corn idea to serve, do you have a particular BBQ sauce favorite or do you make your own? Thanks for sharing!
Hi! Make my own, here is the recipe: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-barbecue-sauce-just-like-sweet-baby-rays/
Thanks!
I love the simplicity and versatility of this dish. Will be making this for sure Tieghan!
Awesome!! Hope you love it!! Let me know!! Thanks Kathy!
I’m with your call-people, ALWAYS Bbq chicken! This looks like the best way ever to kick off a killer summer!
Right!! I think so too!! Thanks Tori!
We LOVE polenta! I’m making this tonight. Thanks for a quick delicious looking weeknight dinner.
Hi Rose!! Hope you loved it!! Thanks!
I love everything about this bowl of happiness…. yum!!
Yay! Thanks MB Hope you enjoy!! Thanks!
I tried polenta once and it was enough to realise that sadly, it is not for me. I realy wish it was as I’m all things italian, but nope, no can do and it will never go down. The chicken, on the other hand, bring it on!!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Awh! Thats such a bummer! Its not for my brother either! Haha!