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Crispy Rainy Day Summer BBQ Ideas for Perfect Indoor Grilling

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A collection of indoor grilling recipes and tips to achieve crispy, smoky summer BBQ flavors indoors on rainy days, using simple ingredients and pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed and patted dry
  • 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and sliced (vegetarian option)
  • 12 oz fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 medium bell peppers, sliced
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 large red onion, thickly sliced
  • 2 ears fresh corn on the cob, cut into thirds
  • Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to make the marinade.
  2. Add chicken thighs (or tofu/shrimp) to the marinade and toss until fully coated. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours in the fridge.
  3. While protein marinates, slice bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion. Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Preheat grill pan over medium-high heat for at least 5 minutes until very hot.
  5. Place protein on grill pan with space between pieces. Cook chicken about 5-6 minutes per side, tofu or shrimp 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown with grill marks. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) if using a thermometer.
  6. Mix BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. During last 2 minutes of grilling, brush glaze generously on protein, flipping once to coat both sides.
  7. Add prepared veggies to grill pan, turning occasionally until tender and charred, about 8-10 minutes. Start corn first as it takes about 10 minutes.
  8. Arrange grilled protein and veggies on a platter. Garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon. Let rest a couple of minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat protein dry before marinating to ensure crisp edges. Preheat grill pan thoroughly to avoid steaming. Avoid overcrowding pan to maintain high heat and crispiness. Use a basting brush to apply glaze during last minutes to prevent burning. Ventilate kitchen to manage smoke. Leftovers can be reheated on grill pan to restore crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: indoor grilling, summer BBQ, rainy day recipes, crispy chicken, tofu BBQ, shrimp grill, easy BBQ, gluten-free BBQ, vegetarian BBQ