Irresistible BBQ Chicken Cornbread Dinner

This zesty BBQ chicken cornbread bake blends sweet, golden cornbread with tangy barbecue chicken for a comforting family dinner. My kids beg for this hearty dish practically every month, particularly when the weather turns chilly and we're looking for something filling and cozy.

I whipped up this dish for the first time when I needed something foolproof for our block party. The pan emptied within moments and I had three neighbors hunting me down for cooking details before I'd even walked back to my house.

Ingredients

• Ground chicken: Makes a more delicate foundation than beef but still packs plenty of protein
• Yellow onion and green bell pepper: Bring necessary flavor depth and added nutritional value
• Barbecue sauce: Delivers that classic tangy-sweet kick—pick your preferred brand for custom taste
• Tomato sauce: Cuts the BBQ sweetness and brings rich tomato flavor
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Forms a gooey, delicious barrier between the meat and bread layers
• Yellow cornmeal: Delivers authentic corn taste and texture—try to grab stone ground for best results
• Whole milk: Brings luxurious creaminess to your cornbread top
• All purpose flour: Teams up with cornmeal for just the right consistency
• Sugar: Highlights the corn's natural sweetness and helps create that gorgeous golden top
• Baking powder: Makes sure your cornbread puffs up nicely—double-check that it's fresh
• Egg: Holds the cornbread together and adds important structure
• Unsalted butter: Brings rich taste and moisture—stick with real butter instead of substitutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Your Oven and Dish Ready:

Heat your oven to 400°F and coat a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray. The hot temperature will give you that gorgeous golden cornbread top.

Cook the Meat Mixture:

Grab a big skillet, set it on medium heat and throw in your ground chicken with your chopped onion and bell pepper. Keep breaking the chicken into tiny bits while it cooks. This usually takes around 5-6 minutes until chicken isn't pink anymore and your veggies have softened a bit.

Create the BBQ Base:

Add your BBQ sauce and tomato sauce to the skillet with your chicken mix. Mix everything well until it starts to bubble gently. Turn down the heat and let it simmer about 5 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together and thickens your sauce a little.

Make Your Cornbread Topping:

In a big bowl, stir together your cornmeal, milk, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, egg and melted butter. Mix until you've got a smooth, lump-free batter. It should pour easily but still be thick, kind of like pancake batter with more body.

Put Your Casserole Together:

Pour your chicken BBQ mix into your greased dish and spread it flat. Scatter your shredded cheddar in an even layer on top of the meat. Then pour your cornbread batter over everything, making sure it covers the whole surface.

Bake Until Golden:

Stick your casserole in the hot oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You'll know it's done when the cornbread top has risen and turned a pretty golden color. The edges will start to pull away from the dish sides slightly.

Let It Cool a Bit:

Give your casserole about 5 minutes to rest before you dig in. This cooling time lets everything set up so your servings look nicer and stay together better.

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The mix of sweet cornbread with tangy barbecue chicken brings back memories of backyard summer cookouts. My youngest, who usually turns her nose up at casseroles, always wants more of this dish and calls it pizza cornbread—which I think perfectly captures what makes it so good.

Make Ahead Options

This dish works great for busy nights since you can get parts ready ahead of time. You can make the meat mixture up to two days early and keep it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just warm up the meat, put it in your baking dish, and whip up fresh cornbread batter to top it. This cuts your active cooking time way down when you're in a hurry.

Customizing Your Casserole

Don't be afraid to switch things up to suit your taste. Hot BBQ sauce adds some fire, while honey BBQ makes things sweeter and more kid-friendly. Throwing in some corn kernels gives extra texture and sweetness. Want a Mexican twist? Add a spoonful of taco seasoning to your meat and swap the cheddar for pepper jack cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty dish goes really well with a simple green salad with vinaigrette to balance out the richness. If you want something more filling, try it with coleslaw or some roasted veggies. A spoonful of sour cream on top adds a cool, tangy contrast that works beautifully with the sweet cornbread and savory chicken mix.

Storage and Reheating

You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container. To warm up single servings, microwave them covered for 1-2 minutes until hot throughout. When reheating a bigger portion, cover it with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, then take the foil off for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top again.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken instead of ground chicken?

Sure thing! Swap in about 3 cups of pulled rotisserie chicken instead of ground chicken. Just skip the browning part and mix your shredded chicken with the cooked onions and peppers before you pour in the sauces.

→ What type of barbecue sauce works best for this dish?

Any BBQ sauce you like will do the trick. Go for honey or maple BBQ sauce if you want it sweeter. If you like it tangy, try one with vinegar. Smoky ones give more depth, while hot ones add some kick. Just pick what your family enjoys most.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You bet! You can cook the meat mix up to 2 days early and keep it in the fridge. The cornbread mix should be made right before baking. When you're ready to eat, heat up the meat, add cheese and fresh batter on top, then bake as usual. Just give it a few extra minutes if the filling is cold.

→ How can I make this dish gluten-free?

For a gluten-free option, just swap the regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix. Don't forget to check that your BBQ sauce and baking powder don't have wheat in them, as some brands might sneak it in.

→ Can I freeze leftovers of this BBQ chicken cornbread dinner?

Absolutely! Leftovers stay good frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool down completely, then pack it in airtight containers. Thaw in your fridge overnight and warm it up in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or zap individual servings in the microwave on medium.

→ What sides pair well with this BBQ chicken cornbread dinner?

This dish stands on its own, but it goes great with light sides like a fresh green salad, some steamed veggies, or homemade coleslaw. Coleslaw works really well because its crunch and tang balance out the sweet and savory flavors in your main dish.