Hey everyone, Craig here from With the Bickhams! Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that was just floating around in my mind, so I decided to give it a try – Smoked BBQ Chicken Cowboy Cornbread Casserole. This dish is a twist on the traditional Cowboy Casserole, and while it turned out really good, I already have some ideas on how I want to tweak it next time. But that’s the fun part about cooking, right? Trying new things, stepping out of the box, and having some fun in the kitchen! So, let’s dive into this recipe and see how it’s done.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix (or an equivalent homemade cornbread mix)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 bag of frozen seasoning blend (onion, bell pepper, celery, and parsley)
- 3/4 stick of butter
- 1 can of Bush’s Baked Beans
- 7 to 8 pieces of bacon, cooked
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of bacon grease
- 1 tablespoon of seasoning
- 1 BBQ chicken breast (leftover works great)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup of BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard (optional)
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 1 block of pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can of whole kernel fire-roasted corn, drained
- 1/2 cup of green onions, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Cornbread Base
- Saute the Vegetables:
- In a medium saucepan, add the butter and 1/2 bag of the frozen seasoning blend. Saute the vegetables until they’re tender and fragrant. This blend adds a great depth of flavor to the dish.
- Mix the Cornbread:
- While the veggies are cooking, mix up the cornbread according to the box directions, but leave out the milk for now. Instead, mix in the sour cream, half of the shredded cheese, and 1/2 cup of green onions. This will make the cornbread rich and flavorful.
Step 2: Preparing the BBQ Bean and Chicken Mixture
- Mix the Baked Beans:
- In a bowl, mix together the baked beans, BBQ sauce, mustard (if using), seasoning to taste, and brown sugar. This sweet and tangy mixture is the heart of this casserole.
- Prep the Chicken:
- Slice or chop the BBQ chicken breast, then toss it in a little BBQ sauce for extra flavor.
- Combine the Ingredients:
- Once the vegetables are sauteed down, add them into the baked beans and mix well. Now pour this mixture into the cornbread batter and stir until everything is well combined.
Step 3: Assembling and Cooking the Casserole
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Pour the cornbread and bean mixture into a throw-away pan. This makes clean-up a breeze, especially after a big BBQ.
- Cook the Casserole:
- Preheat your smoker (I use a Z Grill) to 375 degrees F. Place the casserole in the smoker and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until it’s done. Cooking times may vary, so keep an eye on it.
- Add the Chicken and Cheese:
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the chopped BBQ chicken on top of the casserole and cover with the remaining shredded cheese. You want the chicken to reheat and the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious topping.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve:
- Once the casserole is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve. This dish is perfect as a side for any BBQ, or it can even be the star of the show.
Final Thoughts and Tweaks
This Smoked BBQ Chicken Cowboy Cornbread Casserole turned out really good – it’s got that sweet, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the cornbread. But, like I said earlier, I’m already thinking about tweaking this recipe. Next time, I’m going to keep the beans separate from the cornbread and layer it instead. I’ll do a layer of cornbread, then beans, and finish with more cornbread on top. I think this will create an even better texture, similar to a cornbread dressing, but with that BBQ twist.
Why Try Something New?
Cooking isn’t just about following a recipe – it’s about experimenting, trying new things, and having fun in the kitchen. Whether you’re tweaking a classic recipe or coming up with something entirely new, the kitchen is your playground. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something different. You might just surprise yourself with how good it turns out!
So, if you’re looking for a new side dish to bring to your next BBQ, give this Smoked BBQ Chicken Cowboy Cornbread Casserole a try. And if you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think or how you made it your own.
Don’t forget to check out our With the Bickhams Cookbook Volume 1 for more delicious recipes and our Amazon Storefront for all your cooking essentials.
Happy cooking, and I’ll see you next time!
Watch the YouTube video tutorial below!
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By following these steps, you’ll create a delicious and unique dish that’s sure to be a hit at any BBQ. Be sure to watch our YouTube video for a visual guide to making this amazing casserole. Enjoy, and happy cooking!