Ultimate BBQ Dinner Meal Kit Recipe

Introduction 

There’s something undeniably comforting about a classic Southern BBQ dinner meal kit — the kind that fills your kitchen with the smell of smoky sauce, melty cheese, and slow-cooked goodness. But let’s face it: sometimes, you want all those bold, down-home flavors without spending hours prepping and cooking. That’s exactly where our BBQ Dinner Meal Kit comes in.

Get ready to dig into a true Southern comfort feast with our BBQ Dinner Meal Kit — a perfect blend of smoky, savory, and soul-satisfying flavors. This hearty spread includes tender shredded BBQ chicken, velvety Southern-style mac & cheese, hearty & smoky baked beans, and perfectly sautéed collard greens.

This is the kind of meal that brings people together, whether you're planning a laid-back weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this dinner kit brings all the down-home goodness without the hassle. No grill, no stress, no long grocery lists. Just heat, plate, and enjoy a soul-satisfying meal that tastes like it came straight from a backyard smoker.

Try doubling or tripling the recipe to make a big batch and freeze it in Souper Cubes trays for later, you will thank yourself later with a little work up front for the upcoming weeks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Our BBQ Dinner Meal Kit is all about flexibility and full-on flavor. Whether you're feeding picky eaters or customizing your plate to suit your cravings, here's a breakdown of the key components — with options and tips to make it just right.

Protein Options 

For this BBQ chicken dinner meal kit, I have a strong preference for chicken thighs because they’re the tastiest, most flavorful and juicy, but you can also use chicken breasts for a leaner option, if you prefer. You can’t go wrong with BBQ chicken, and we offer a couple of delicious ways to enjoy it.

Beef: Swap the chicken for your favorite cut of beef by slow roasting a brisket or grilling a flank steak to make this bowl your own.

Chicken: Like grilled BBQ chicken thighs better? Swap our shredded chicken by simply swapping breasts or thighs in the recipe and grill instead of saute.  Toss the chicken in spices, grill, then brush on your favorite BBQ sauce. 

Veggie: If you're looking for a plant-based twist, swap the chicken for jackfruit for a satisfying option that soaks up sauce beautifully. No matter your pick, this BBQ chicken dinner kit keeps things simple and mouthwatering.

Creamy Southern Mac & Cheese 

Is it really a Southern BBQ plate without mac and cheese? Our version is rich, cheesy, and ultra comforting. This creamy stovetop mac & cheese version that is ready in minutes. Either way, you’ll get that signature creamy mac and cheese texture that ties the whole meal together.

Want to mix things up or take it to the next level? Try blending in different cheeses like sharp cheddar for a bold bite, mozzarella for extra meltiness, cream cheese for a silky finish or a hint of smoked gouda for that subtle BBQ-ready depth. However you melt it, this creamy mac and cheese is the glue that holds the whole BBQ plate together.

Pro Tip: Undercook your noodles just slightly, about 2 minutes less than the box instructions to avoid soggy noodles

Smoky Baked Beans 

No BBQ is complete without beans. Ours are hearty, sweet, and smoky. Using canned beans allows you more time to spend with friends for this easy stovetop version that creates this perfect BBQ side dish.

Sautéed Collard Greens 

Looking to balance out all that richness and get some greens on your plate? Our Southern collard greens bring a fresh, earthy bite to the table. Sauteed with spices and a hint of vinegar for some pop, this sautéed greens recipe is the ultimate BBQ side — simple, satisfying, and full of Southern soul.

Optional Garnishes

A little fresh flair goes a long way. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the mac or beans for a pop of color, or serve your chicken with a lemon wedge to brighten up the smoky flavors. These little touches make your plate feel extra special — no extra effort required.

For BBQ Chicken:

• Chopped fresh parsley – for a pop of color and freshness
• Thinly sliced green onions – adds a mild, zesty bite
• Lemon wedges – brightens up the smoky sauce with acidity
• Pickled red onions – tangy contrast that cuts through richness
• Cracked black pepper or chili flakes– for a touch of heat

For Mac & Cheese:

• Extra shredded cheese – sprinkle just before serving for melt appeal
• Cornflakes - fun alternative for some crunch
• Fried onions - for some gluten free crunch
• Panko breadcrumbs (toasted) – for added crunch
• Paprika or smoked paprika – enhances color and adds a smoky finish

For Baked Beans & Collard Greens:

• Chopped chives or parsley – brightens up heavier flavors
• Hot sauce drizzle – a kick of heat for those who like it spicy
  

Protein Prep

Rub your chicken with spices in a medium bowl and set aside at room temperature for up to 30 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight. If you would like a more intense flavor, choose to let it marinade for up to overnight. But if you have limited time, 30 minutes will do.  

Then sear chicken in a hot oven-safe skillet until golden brown on one side and flip, about 5 minutes total. Then turn down heat to medium and add ½ cup broth to the skillet, until the thermometer registers 165F in the thickest portion of the chicken, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Then place chicken onto a cutting board and using 2 forks, shred the chicken into bite sized pieces and place back in the skillet to combine together with the juices and ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce before placing in Souper Cubes trays to freeze.

Pro Tip:  place chicken in a stand mixer with paddle attachment to break apart the chicken.

Mac & Cheese 

To make the mac and cheese, start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cooking the macaroni according to the package directions—just two minutes less if you prefer a firmer, al dente texture. Drain the pasta in a colander. 

Then melt 1 ½ tablespoons butter in the same pot over medium heat, then whisk in the 1 ½ tablespoons flour and cook until golden and fragrant. Slowly stir in 1 ½ cups whole milk along with ¾ teaspoon sea salt, pinch of paprika, and a pinch of nutmeg, and let the sauce simmer until thick and creamy, taking about 4 minutes.

Once off the heat, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar, ½ cup fontina and 2 tablespoons parmesan until melted, then fold in the cooked macaroni. The result is a rich, velvety creamy mac and cheese that pairs perfectly with smoky BBQ flavors.

Smoky Baked Beans: 

For the smoky baked beans, start by heating a bit of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Sauté chopped 1 cup onion, ½ cup bell pepper, and a touch of serrano or jalapeño until softened, then stir in garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, chipotle chili powder, and black pepper to build bold flavor. Add Great Northern or preferred white canned beans along with molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Let the mixture simmer gently until thick and rich, about 35 minutes. The result is a deeply flavored, sweet-and-smoky BBQ side dish that’s hearty, satisfying, and made to pair with tangy BBQ chicken and creamy mac and cheese.

Sauteed Collard Greens

While everything simmers, whip up a quick batch of flavorful sautéed collard greens. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil until shimmering, then add ¾ cup chopped onion and cook until softened. Toss in about 8 ½ cups greens, stirring until they’re lightly wilted and coated, then add a clove of minced garlic, a splash of sherry vinegar, sea salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook just until everything is fragrant and tender. These Southern collard greens are the perfect bright, tangy counterpoint to the richness of BBQ and mac and cheese.

Finish with Garnish

Pick and choose your favorite garnishes to add color, flavor and crunch. To elevate your BBQ chicken dinner, simple garnishes can make all the difference. Fresh chopped parsley and thinly sliced green onions add brightness and a mild zing, while lemon wedges provide a fresh burst of acidity that lifts the smoky sauce. For a tangy twist, try pickled red onions, or add a little heat with cracked black pepper or chili flakes. For the mac and cheese, a sprinkle of extra shredded cheese or toasted panko breadcrumbs adds melty richness and satisfying crunch, while a dusting of paprika or smoked paprika brings smoky depth and vibrant color. Finally, brighten the baked beans and collard greens with chopped chives or parsley, and a drizzle of hot sauce for anyone craving a spicy kick. These easy touches take your meal from delicious to unforgettable.

Pro Tips for the best Chicken BBQ Dinner Kit 

Refrigerator Storage Tips 

Store components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How to Freeze BBQ Dinner Kits in Souper Cubes

Our favorite way to freeze BBQ Dinner Kits is with Souper Cubes trays by freezing a deconstructed kit using our half-cup or 1-cup trays. 

First, place the cooked food into each compartment of the Souper Cubes tray up to the desired fill line. Place the lid on top once the food has fully cooled. Label the lid with our labeling tape or water-based paint makers.

Set the tray flat in your freezer and stack remaining trays on top, freeze overnight for up to 3-4 months.  Once the food is solid, you can pop out the cubes and store them in labeled freezer-safe bags so you can wash and reuse your Souper Cube trays for another meal.

This recipe works by freezing components and it will use 2-1 cup trays with chicken and mac & cheese, 2-½ cup trays with baked beans and greens.

You can leave your meal in the Souper Cube trays, but then that ties up your trays for freezing other meals until you use your BBQ Dinner Meal Kit. We suggest transferring the BBQ Meal Kit components to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, reusable bag, or vacuum sealed bag for longer storage.

How long do bbq dinner kits last in the freezer?

We say 3-4 months for optimal freshness. However, as long as it has been consistently frozen, it’s safe to eat indefinitely. For longer term storage transfer frozen cubes to a vacuum sealed bag for best results and to prevent freezer burn.

How to reheat a BBQ dinner kit from frozen?

When it’s time to reheat the BBQ Meal Kits, you will want to pull the kit from the freezer and transfer it to the fridge to thaw.  This lets you cut down on the reheating process. However, if you forget to thaw in advance, that’s okay too! The easiest way to reheat from frozen is using your microwave. We love using our 5” rectangular baking dishes for 1 cup  or ½ cup portions, especially helpful if you froze the individual components of the BBQ Meal Kit separately. 

Microwave: Transfer each component (chicken, mac & cheese, beans, greens) to its own microwave-safe dish or our baking dishes and cover, and let defrost in the refrigerator overnight. 

Alternatively, you can go directly from the freezer to heating. Simply pop out the cubes and separately place in a microwave container or baking dish, add a splash of broth or water, to prevent drying out, cover and microwave on 50 % power, stirring halfway through, for about 4 minutes, or warmed.  

Oven: Transfer each component to its own oven safe dish or our 5” rectangular baking dish and cover, and let defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Then place in a preheated oven at 350F, covered for about 20 minutes or until it registers 165F when a thermometer is inserted into the center of each dish.  

Alternatively, you can go directly from the freezer to heating. Simply pop out the cubes and separately place in a heat proof container or baking dish, add a splash of broth or water, to prevent drying out, cover and reheat on 350F, stirring halfway through, for about 20 minutes, or warmed. 

Variations

Add ins

Mac & Cheese: Have fun with add-ins like sautéed onions, roasted garlic, diced jalapeños in your mac & cheese.

Greens: Have fun with adding a boost of flavor with sautéed garlic, caramelized onions or a pinch of smoked paprika for depth

Swap

Chicken: Substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts, or drumsticks. For a vegetarian option, BBQ tofu or jackfruit works wonderfully.

Greens: Use any type of green that you prefer trying kale, swiss chard, spinach or mustard greens

Mac & Cheese: Mix and match cheddar, smoked gouda, mozzarella, cream cheese for the perfect texture and flavor you desire. In addition, make this recipe gluten free by using a gluten free pasta, swapping flour 1:1 ratio for your favorite gluten-free choice for the roux.  You can even make it dairy free by swapping a dairy-free alternative milk and cheese. 

Extra nutrition option: Trying to get more veggies in?  Add some veggies into your mac & cheese or add finely diced carrot, celery, sweet potatoes to your baked beans

Sweeteners: Swap molasses with maple syrup, coconut sugar or date syrup for natural alternative

Spice Level: Adjust chipotle powder in the baked beans to taste or replace with a smoked paprika for a milder option. Also you can alternatively use your favorite spice mix packet of seasoning in place of the spices in the chicken.

Sauce Options: Choose your BBQ sauce based on preference.  Use a honey BBQ, spicy chipotle, Carolina mustard or even a vinegar-based sauce depending on your flavor preference.