Get ready for a delicious and easy-to-make grilled chicken skewer recipe that’s brimming with bold, crowd-pleasing flavors! 🔥 These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky — perfect for backyard BBQs, picnics, or any summer gathering. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can whip up a batch of these saucy, charred-to-perfection skewers that are sure to have everyone coming back for seconds. Let’s dive in! 😋
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers
These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are an absolute crowd-pleaser! 🙌 The combination of juicy, tender chicken, a luscious honey-based BBQ sauce, and a kiss of smokiness from the grill is simply irresistible. Plus, skewers are such a fun and easy way to serve grilled chicken — no forks required! 🍽️ Your guests will love the bold flavors and the fun, handheld presentation. And you’ll love how quick and simple they are to prepare. It’s a win-win all around! 🏆
Key Tips for the Best Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers
The key to perfectly cooked chicken skewers is to not overcrowd the grill. Make sure to leave enough space between the skewers for even cooking and charring. 🔥 If the skewers are too close together, the chicken will steam instead of getting that delicious grilled flavor.
- The #1 Trick for Better Flavor/Texture — For the best honey BBQ flavor, be sure to baste the chicken skewers generously with the sauce during the last few minutes of grilling. This will create a sticky, caramelized glaze that’s absolutely divine. 😋 And to get that perfectly tender, juicy texture, don’t forget to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Biggest Mistake to Avoid — The key to perfectly cooked chicken skewers is to not overcrowd the grill. Make sure to leave enough space between the skewers for even cooking and charring. 🔥 If the skewers are too close together, the chicken will steam instead of getting that delicious grilled flavor.
- Bonus Tip: Char & Caramelization is Key — Basting the skewers with the sauce during the last few minutes of grilling is essential for creating that perfect sticky, charred glaze. Don’t be afraid to really let the chicken get some good color on it! ✅
What to Serve With Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers
These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are delicious served with a variety of sides, like grilled veggies, creamy coleslaw, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve them with roasted potatoes, mac and cheese, or a simple side of rice or quinoa.
- Grilled Veggies — The smoky char of grilled veggies is the perfect pairing for these juicy, saucy chicken skewers. 🍽️
- Creamy Coleslaw — The cool, creamy crunch of coleslaw provides a nice contrast to the bold BBQ flavors. 🥗
- Crusty Bread — Serve the skewers with a side of crusty bread or rolls to soak up any extra sauce. 🥖
- Refreshing Drinks — These skewers pair perfectly with cold beers, lemonade, or sweet iced tea. 🥤
When to serve it: These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are perfect for backyard barbecues, summer parties, picnics, and casual gatherings. 🎉
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers: boneless, skinless chicken thighs, a homemade honey BBQ sauce, and some wooden skewers. 🔥 The sauce comes together quickly with pantry staples like ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and spices. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky.
- 1 lb — Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup — Ketchup
- 1/4 cup — Honey
- 2 tbsp — Apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves — Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp — Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp — Chili powder
- 1/4 tsp — Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
🔗 Want to know why you should soak skewers before grilling? Read this guide on skewer safety from Serious Eats — it’s surprisingly helpful!
Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)
- Chicken Thighs → Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (still delicious, promise) ✅
- Homemade Sauce → Store-bought BBQ sauce (easy dietary swap) 👍
Prefer store-bought? Here’s a roundup of the best BBQ sauces ranked by Epicurious to save you time.
How to Make Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers (Step-by-Step)
Let’s walk through the simple steps to make these Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers:
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized cubes and threading them onto wooden skewers. In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken skewers, turning occasionally, until they’re charred and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
During the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush the skewers generously with the honey BBQ sauce. This will create a delicious, sticky glaze.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve the Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers hot, with any extra sauce drizzled over the top. 😋
Print
Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for summer BBQs or any grill night!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, cut into chunks
- Skewers (soaked in water if wooden)
Instructions
1. In a bowl, mix honey, BBQ sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated chicken, bell peppers, and onion onto skewers.
5. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
6. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight. You can also add your favorite vegetables to the skewers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: BBQ, Grilling & Smoky Bites 🔥
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)
Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.
- Extra Kick of Flavor — Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the BBQ sauce for an extra kick of heat. ✅
- Switch Up the Protein — Try using shrimp or cubed pork instead of chicken for a fun twist. ✅
- Sweet-and-Savory Combo — Thread the chicken with pineapple chunks or bell pepper pieces for a delicious sweet-and-savory flavor profile. 🎉
- Veggie Skewers — Make a batch of veggie skewers to serve alongside the chicken for a colorful, balanced meal. 🚀
Warning: “Just one more bite” is basically guaranteed. 😅🍴
Serving & Storage
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Best Serving Ideas | Serve the Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers as the main dish, or offer them as a fun appetizer at your next backyard bash. They’re great alongside coleslaw, grilled veggies, or a fresh green salad. 🥗 |
| Fridge Storage | Refrigerate leftover skewers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. |
| Freezer Storage | You can also freeze the cooked skewers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. |
| Reheating (Oven/Air Fryer) | Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. |
| Make-Ahead Tips | Prepare the BBQ sauce and thread the chicken onto the skewers up to 1 day in advance. Store the skewers in the fridge until ready to grill. |
Nutrition Notes
These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are a delicious and nutritious meal option. Each serving provides a good source of protein from the chicken, as well as some carbs and natural sweetness from the honey in the sauce. And grilling the chicken keeps it lean and full of flavor. 🍗 Enjoy these skewers as part of a balanced, satisfying meal.
- Serving Size: 3 skewers
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
Quick Questions People Always Ask
What’s the best way to get the chicken super tender and juicy?
The key to juicy, tender chicken is to not overcook it. Keep a close eye on the skewers during the last few minutes of grilling, and be sure to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Can I make the sauce in advance?
Absolutely! The honey BBQ sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the fridge. This makes it super convenient to throw these skewers together when you’re ready to grill.
How can I make these skewers gluten-free?
To make these skewers gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free BBQ sauce or make your own from scratch using gluten-free ingredients like tamari, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
Do I need to soak the wooden skewers before using?
It’s a good idea to soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading the chicken onto them. This helps prevent the skewers from burning on the grill.
What should I serve with these skewers?
These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers are delicious served with a variety of sides, like grilled veggies, creamy coleslaw, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve them with roasted potatoes, mac and cheese, or a simple side of rice or quinoa.