Juicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers (Printable)

Tender chicken marinated in sweet honey garlic BBQ sauce, grilled until lightly charred and juicy.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - ⅓ cup honey
03 - ⅓ cup soy sauce (gluten-free if desired)
04 - 3 tbsp BBQ sauce
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
08 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
10 - ¼ tsp chili flakes

→ Vegetables

11 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
13 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili flakes until well combined.
02 - Measure out ¼ cup of the marinade and set aside for basting during grilling or serving at the table.
03 - Add chicken cubes to the remaining marinade. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
04 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent scorching.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, bell pepper chunks, and red onion wedges onto skewers in alternating pattern, leaving slight space between pieces for even cooking.
06 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature (approximately 400°F). Lightly coat grates with oil to prevent sticking.
07 - Place skewers on grill and cook for 12–15 minutes, rotating every 3–4 minutes and brushing with reserved marinade, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and develops light char marks.
08 - Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley or sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty as a basting sauce, building layers of sticky glazed flavor that everyone fights over
  • Chicken thighs stay impossibly tender even after high heat grilling, while breasts offer a leaner alternative without sacrificing moisture
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and marinated overnight, making you look like a hosting genius when guests arrive
02 -
  • Let the skewers rest for a few minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute instead of running onto your plate
  • The sugar in honey means these can go from caramelized to burned quickly, so keep a close eye during the last few minutes
  • Marinating longer than 4 hours can make the texture slightly mushy due to the honey, so overnight is perfect but 24 hours is pushing it
03 -
  • Thread your skewers tightly so the chicken does not spin when you try to turn it
  • Double the marinade and use half as a dipping sauce for extra flavor at the table
  • If it is raining, these cook beautifully under the broiler in about 8 minutes per side

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