Smoking Blue Bonnet barbecue chicken with grilled corn and beans

This meal tastes like a backyard barbecue, but it does not require a full day at the smoker. Chicken thighs are a great choice because they stay juicy and pick up seasoning well. Drumsticks, boneless thighs, or chicken breasts also work.

Smoking Blue Bonnet gives the chicken color, mild sweetness, and that savory barbecue flavor that works with corn, beans, and crisp summer sides.

What you need

For the chicken:

• 2 to 3 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks

• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Smoking Blue Bonnet, enough to coat evenly

• Optional barbecue sauce for finishing

  
  

For the sides:

• 4 ears of corn

• 1 can baked beans or cooked beans

• 1 tablespoon Smoking Blue Bonnet

• Butter for the corn

• Fresh parsley or green onion, if you have it

  
  

How to make it

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and helps the skin brown.

Rub the chicken with olive oil, then season all sides with Smoking Blue Bonnet. Let it sit while the grill heats. Even 15 minutes helps the seasoning settle into the surface.

Set the grill for medium heat. Cook the chicken over indirect heat first, turning as needed. Move it over direct heat near the end to crisp the edges. If using sauce, brush it on during the last few minutes so it can set without burning.

Chicken should reach 165°F at the thickest part. Dark meat can go a little higher and still stay tender.

For the corn, grill it until lightly charred, then brush with butter and a small pinch of Smoking Blue Bonnet. Warm the beans in a small pot or grill-safe pan, then stir in a tablespoon of the rub. The smoked paprika and sweetness make simple beans taste like they cooked beside the barbecue all afternoon.

Indoor option

Bake the chicken on a foil-lined sheet pan at 400°F until cooked through. Broil for a minute or two at the end if you want deeper color. Roast the corn on the same pan or serve it boiled with seasoned butter.

Bear Creek Rubs Smoking Blue Bonnet Seasoning