🌸 Welcome, ladies! If you love a classic BBQ chicken dinner — juicy, smoky grilled chicken served alongside buttery corn on the cob — you’re going to adore these 8 mouthwatering variations. We’ve put together easy, creative ways to reinvent this summer staple with bold flavors and beginner-friendly methods. Whether you’re craving fiery chipotle BBQ, zesty chili-lime, or even a hands-off crockpot version, we’ve got ideas that pair perfectly with sweet, golden corn. Every recipe includes clear measurements in both US and metric units (remember to cook chicken to a safe 165°F/74°C, as foodsafety.gov recommends). Whether you’re grilling in an American backyard or whipping it up in a cozy UK, Canadian, or Australian kitchen, these BBQ chicken + corn recipes are sure to become family favorites.
If you love BBQ chicken, check out our BBQ Chicken Wrap with Ranch and Crunchy Slaw taylorrecipe.com – it’s “like bringing all the joy of a summer barbecue indoors” with barbecue-seasoned chicken and fresh slaw. In the recipes below, we’ll cover everything from classic grilled BBQ chicken with buttered corn to creative twists like chipotle BBQ and taco-style BBQ chicken. Each variation is easy to make and endlessly tasty.
BBQ Chicken and Corn: 8 Flavorful Variations to Try
BBQ chicken and corn on the cob make the perfect summer meal. Try these 8 flavorful variations that are easy, delicious, and beginner-friendly.
1. Classic BBQ Chicken & Buttery Corn on the Cob
For the ultimate backyard combo, start with the classic: grill tender chicken pieces basted in your favorite BBQ sauce alongside whole ears of corn. Marinate bone-in chicken or boneless breasts in a sweet & tangy BBQ sauce (add a little honey or maple syrup if you like extra sweetness) and grill until juicy and lightly charred. Meanwhile, grill the corn on the cob (in its husk or wrapped in foil) until tender. Slather the hot corn with butter, salt and pepper for that down-home flavor. This old-school pairing relies on simplicity – the smoky, saucy chicken and plain buttery corn let each ingredient shine.
Be sure to cook your chicken thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) — that’s the magic number for juicy, safe-to-eat chicken every time! foodsafety.gov. Serve the chicken and corn with any leftover BBQ sauce on the side and perhaps a scoop of coleslaw or potato salad.
2. Smoky-Spicy Chipotle Chicken Paired with Velvety Corn
For a flavor kick, add smoky chipotle to your BBQ sauce and serve with rich creamed corn. Make a chipotle BBQ marinade by mixing smoked chili powder (or diced chipotle peppers in adobo) into your sauce. Grill or bake the chicken until cooked through and caramelized. For the side, try creamed grilled corn: char the corn on the grill, then cook the kernels briefly in a bit of cream, butter and garlic until saucy howsweeteats.com. As one recipe notes, the result is “sticky and saucy chicken with a little spice” alongside “creamy and sweet corn” that makes each bite perfect howsweeteats.com. This variation balances heat and sweetness – the zesty, spicy chicken is mellowed by the cooling, buttery corn.
3. Zesty Chili-Lime Chicken with Smoky Grilled Corn
Turn up the flavor this BBQ night by pairing smoky chicken with bright lime and fiery chili for a bold, mouthwatering combo. Marinate the chicken with BBQ sauce plus a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a dash of cayenne or chili powder. Grill the chicken pieces until they’re nicely charred. At the same time, grill the corn on the cob, brushing each ear with a little oil. For extra flavor, finish the grilled corn with a chili-lime butter: mix softened butter with minced jalapeño and lime zest. (Chef Geoffrey Zakarian suggests finishing your grilled corn by slathering it with this rich, savory butter while it’s still hot — a simple touch that makes all the difference surlatable.com.)
With its tangy lime butter and spicy chili kick, the corn beautifully complements the caramelized, smoky-sweet chicken — a match made for your summer table. Each bite has a fresh kick of citrus that brightens the traditional BBQ flavor.
4. Smoky Sheet Pan Chicken, Corn & Rainbow Vegetables
Sheet-pan dinners make BBQ chicken a breeze. Arrange BBQ-coated chicken pieces, halved ears of corn, and vegetables (like potato wedges, onions, or bell peppers) on a foil-lined baking sheet laughingspatula.com. Give everything a generous drizzle of olive oil, then season with a pinch of salt, a crack of black pepper, and a BBQ-friendly spice blend — think smoky paprika, savory garlic powder, and fragrant dried rosemary for a perfect flavor boost.
Bake and Finish the BBQ Chicken and Veggies
Brush the chicken and veggies lightly with extra BBQ sauce. Then bake the pan at 375°F (190°C) laughingspatula.com until the chicken reaches 165°F and the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes (toss the veggies halfway through laughingspatula.com). For example:
- Preheat & Arrange: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) laughingspatula.com. Line a large sheet pan with foil or parchment and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Season & Add:Arrange your seasoned chicken pieces, golden corn cobs, and a rainbow of fresh veggies neatly on the sheet pan, letting the colors and flavors mingle beautifully. For an extra hearty touch, toss some baby potatoes or carrot chunks with a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of BBQ spice mix (inspired by laughingspatula.com) and scatter them around. Brush on plenty of BBQ sauce, giving the chicken a glossy, flavorful layer that caramelizes beautifully as it cooks.
- Bake & Finish: Bake & Finish: Roast ~20 minutes, turning vegetables at the 10-minute mark laughingspatula.com. If you love a bit of charred flavor, pop the pan under the broiler for 2–3 minutes at the end — just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
All the flavors combine on one pan: the corn on the cob roasts in the chicken’s juices and sauce, so nothing is wasted. Cleanup is minimal, and everyone gets a taste of BBQ chicken, charred corn, and tender vegetables together.
5. Easy BBQ Chicken & Corn Cooked in Foil Packets
Wrappables are perfect for camping or quick grilling. On a sheet of heavy-duty foil, place chicken strips or thighs, plus a piece of corn (whole or cut in half), and any sliced veggies (onion, pepper, etc.). Generously drizzle the chicken and corn with your favorite BBQ sauce and a splash of oil, then fold and crimp the foil tightly to seal in all the smoky, juicy goodness. Let the heat work its magic — grill or bake until the chicken is succulent and the corn is melt-in-your-mouth tender, about 20–25 minutes. The enclosed packet steams the ingredients in their own juices for juicy chicken and sweet corn.
(Just be sure to check with a thermometer that the chicken hits 165°F foodsafety.gov before serving.) Open the foil carefully – you’ll find a delicious mix of chicken coated in sauce and buttery corn inside. This method is low-effort and fuss-free: toss everything in a packet, cook, and enjoy a complete BBQ meal.
6. BBQ Chicken Tacos with Grilled Corn Salsa
Turn BBQ dinner into a taco night. Grill the BBQ chicken to smoky perfection, then shred it into juicy bites while warming a stack of soft tortillas. For the corn, grill the cobs and slice off the kernels, or use canned/frozen corn quickly heated on the stove. Mix the corn kernels with diced tomato, avocado, chopped cilantro, lime juice and a pinch of chili powder to make a fresh corn salsa. Fill each tortilla with BBQ chicken, the corn salsa, and a sprinkle of cheddar or cotija cheese. The sweet crunch of grilled corn and the tang of lime make these tacos lively and bright. It’s a fun way to use BBQ chicken leftovers (and kids love building their own tacos). Add some sliced jalapeños or a dollop of sour cream if you want extra zing.
7. Honey-Garlic BBQ Chicken with Garlic-Butter Corn
For a sweet-savory combo, glaze your chicken with honey-Garlic BBQ sauce and pair it with garlic-butter corn. Mix BBQ sauce with honey and minced garlic for the chicken marinade; grill or bake the chicken until caramelized. Meanwhile, brush the corn on the cob with a garlic-infused melted butter as it cooks. Allrecipes’ popular method is to brush ears of corn generously with garlic butter while grilling allrecipes.com. This infuses the corn with rich, savory flavor. The result is tender BBQ chicken with a honey-garlic tang alongside corn on the cob coated in garlicky butter. Each bite is comfort food – sweet, smoky chicken and garlic-scented corn – that’s easy to love.
8. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken with Corn on the Cob
Use your slow cooker for a hands-off BBQ dinner. Place chicken thighs or breasts in the crockpot, pour over plenty of BBQ sauce, and cook on low all day. In the last 30 minutes, add fresh corn cobs (in or out of their husks) to the slow cooker, or grill the corn separately on the stovetop or grill if you want some char. By dinner time, the chicken will fall apart and soak up the sauce, and the corn will be tender. Remove the corn and brush with butter or more BBQ sauce before serving. This set-it-and-forget-it method makes a comforting meal without standing over the grill – perfect for busy days. Serve the pulled BBQ chicken on plates next to whole ears of sweet corn for an easy family meal.
Which BBQ Chicken & Corn Creation Will You Choose ?
Each of these 8 variations puts a tasty spin on classic BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or using a slow cooker, you’ll find a method that fits your style. Give one (or several) of these recipes a try, and let us know which is your favorite. Which variation will you cook at your next BBQ? Drop a comment below to share your thoughts or swap tips – and don’t forget to share this post with friends who love summer grilling!
Sources: We gathered recipe inspiration and safety tips from trusted cooking sites. For example, the USDA recommends cooking all poultry to 165°F (74°C) for safety foodsafety.gov. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s chili-lime BBQ recipe inspired our zesty corn idea surlatable.com, Our irresistible garlic-butter corn tips were inspired by the rich, savory flavors of beloved, crowd-favorite cornbread recipes — bringing that same buttery, garlicky comfort to every bite allrecipes.com howsweeteats.com. For more mouthwatering BBQ ideas, check out Taylor’s BBQ Chicken Wrap with Ranch and Crunchy Slaw taylorrecipe.com. Happy grilling and cooking!