Football and Tailgating: Does It Get Any Better Than This?

Tailgating has always been a must for most football fans. You don't just go to the games anymore. These days it is very likely you will break out the grill and find that special recipe for the big game.

I always get hungry when I see those camera shots of all the tailgaters at LSU, Auburn, Florida, and other great football locations.

Those pro fans know how to spread it out too: Green Bay, Chicago, and New York to name a few.

This past weekend was a great tailgating weekend here in the great state of Georgia. As it turns out for all of us lucky enough to be Dawg and Falcons fans, it was also a great football weekend.

When those two things come together to form a perfect Saturday, or a perfect Sunday, it is a beautiful thing.

I did not get to tailgate this weekend in Athens. The Dawgs were hosting the Vols at Sanford Stadium at 3:30 pm, so since the game was a mid-afternoon start, we decided to sleep in and skip the tailgating.

Sunday gave us another opportunity as the Falcons hosted the Bears at the Georgia Dome. We did not miss out on another opportunity. Tailgating would be a part of our NFL Sunday.

As I tailgated this weekend, I thought about all of you football fans out there who were tailgating. I even wondered to myself, "What is the recipe of choice today all across the country?"

I decided to ask you myself.

Today I am here to discuss the tailgating menu and what recipe you may use to start off your game day experience. First I will share our special menu item with you, and then I will expect you to return the favor and share with all of us.

Our group consists of six people, all Falcon fans. We don't drink, so our main focus is on the main course.

This past Sunday we pulled out a recipe that has become a group favorite. It is a Falcon-themed specialty. Feel free to rename it to fit your team mascot.

Introducing the "Dirty Bird."

Pictured above on our grill is this fan favorite that mixes spicy with meaty. Follow the instructions that follow, and you will enjoy your next tailgating experience, I gar-ron-tee!

Ingredients: Boneless chicken breast (you decide how many you need), pepperoni, crab meat, pepper jack cheese, Cajun spices, and a little seasoning salt.

Season (as desired) and grill chicken breasts until they are almost done.

Put sliced pepperoni over the top of the chicken (to cover the chicken).

Put a generous portion of crab meat on top of the pepperoni.

Let this sit for a few minutes, heating up the pepperoni and the crab meat.

Then add pepper jack cheese to the top...let it sit until it starts to melt.

Put chicken breast on bun and enjoy!!!

Hope that sounds good to you.  We love it here in Atlanta!

So now it's your turn.  Share you favorite tailgating recipe or tradition with the rest of us. 

We will promise to give you credit when we break out your recipe in the coming weeks at our next tailgate.

Tailgating and football makes every weekend a great weekend...win or lose.