Talk of the Tailgate: Four Tailgate-Ready Recipes That Will Get Everyone Talking

The best of fall is finally here, which means cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes and, most important, football season! As you scramble to get everything ready for this weekend’s tailgating, forget the traditional burgers and hot dogs and bring out the chicken.

After all, fowl and football go together quite well.

Here are four tailgate-ready ideas people won’t be able to stop talking about.

Chicken Kababs

Bring the perfect combo of chicken and veggies to your tailgate. They’re as satisfying to eat as they are easy to make! With some quick prep the night before, game day will be a breeze.

Use George’s chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and put them in your marinade of choice overnight (or for minimum an hour). You can also chop your vegetables the night before. The best part? You can easily adjust what you include on your kabobs based on what you like.

Choose your favorite vegetables to include:

  • bell pepper
  • zucchini
  • potatoes
  • red onion
  • mushrooms
  • cherry tomatoes
  • asparagus

On Game Day: Thread the marinated chicken and veggies onto your skewers, then stick them on the grill. Cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, and make sure the meat temperature is 165 degrees Farenheit. The smells will have people swarming!

Pro tip: Make sure you soak your wood skewers in cold water for 20–30 minutes. This helps prevent them from burning, catching on fire or breaking.

Fajita Station

Everyone loves a good fajita — especially on game day. They’re easy to make and easy to eat. Stick the chicken on the grill and fill your table with all the fajita fixings: peppers, onions, guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce, cheese, lime and cilantro. And don’t forget the tortillas!

Pro tip: Season and marinade your chicken the night before. 

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Crispy Ranch Chicken Bites

Chicken bites are perfect for snacking before the big game. Substitute out the air fryer in the recipe for your game-day grill, and you’ll be good to go. Don’t forget the dipping sauce. These pair great with celery or carrots, just for a small healthy addition.

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Chicken Salad

Sometimes, something nice and easy is exactly what you need — especially on a hot day. Whip up the chicken salad the night before, then stick it in the ice chest for game day. You can serve this light and refreshing treat on crackers as a snack, or stick it on bread or croissants for something more filling.

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We hope chicken makes a special appearance at one of your tailgating weekends this year, in whatever form you prefer! You also can switch out your burgers for a chicken sandwich, try your choice of chicken bite flavors, or switch fajitas for tacos. Remember, the more you prep beforehand, the more time you’ll have to kick back and relax.

Happy tailgating, friends!