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Easy Busy Family Memorial Day BBQ Feast Recipe in 60 Minutes

Memorial Day BBQ feast - featured image

A quick and easy BBQ feast perfect for busy family gatherings, ready in under an hour with simple ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, trimmed
  • 8 beef hot dogs or bratwurst links
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (recommend Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • 8 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
  • Pickles, sliced (for serving)
  • Coleslaw mix (optional, for a quick side)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the boneless chicken thighs until well coated. Let sit for 10 minutes or up to 24 hours ahead.
  2. Prep the veggies: Halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, and thinly slice red onion. Toss together with chopped parsley or cilantro.
  3. Make the salad dressing: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over the chopped veggies and crumble feta on top. Toss gently and chill in the fridge.
  4. Prepare corn: Husk corn and rub each ear with softened butter. Sprinkle with chili powder and salt.
  5. Preheat grill: Light grill and heat to medium-high (around 400°F). Clean grate and oil lightly.
  6. Cook chicken: Grill chicken thighs about 6-7 minutes per side, brushing with BBQ sauce during last few minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior is charred.
  7. Grill sausages: Add hot dogs or bratwurst to grill, turning occasionally. Brush with BBQ sauce if desired. Cook 10-12 minutes until browned and heated through.
  8. Grill corn: Place corn on grill, turning every 2-3 minutes until tender and slightly blackened, about 10 minutes.
  9. Toast buns: Lightly toast hamburger buns or rolls on grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and warm.
  10. Assemble and serve: Arrange grilled chicken, sausages, corn, salad, and buns. Add sliced pickles and coleslaw on the side if desired. Let everyone build their plates and enjoy.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for better spice adhesion and crispier crust. Use indirect heat for thicker chicken pieces after searing. Turn corn frequently to avoid black spots. Brush BBQ sauce late to prevent burning. Let grilled chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Keep a spray bottle of water handy for flare-ups. Grill pan or cast iron skillet can substitute if no grill is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: Memorial Day, BBQ, family feast, quick recipe, grilling, chicken thighs, hot dogs, summer salad, grilled corn