Juicy Honey Garlic BBQ Skewers (Printable)

Sweet-savory honey garlic chicken skewers, grilled and charred, perfect for summer cookouts and casual dinners.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1½-inch cubes

→ Marinade & Sauce

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

→ Vegetables for Skewering

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

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the 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 and for serving.
03 - Add the chicken cubes to the remaining marinade and toss until evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
04 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
05 - Thread the marinated chicken cubes alternately with the bell pepper chunks and red onion wedges onto the skewers.
06 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
07 - Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every few minutes and basting with the reserved marinade, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
08 - Remove the skewers from the grill and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The marinade doubles as a glaze, so every bite carries this layered sweetness that gets slightly smoky and irresistible on the grill.
  • It genuinely takes about twenty minutes of hands on work, and the rest is just waiting while your kitchen smells incredible.
02 -
  • If you baste with the raw marinade that touched the chicken, boil it for at least two minutes first to keep things safe.
  • Letting the chicken marinate overnight transforms the flavor completely, turning good into something people will text you about the next day.
03 -
  • Pat the chicken pieces dry before adding them to the marinade so the glaze actually clings instead of sliding off wet surfaces.
  • The reserved marinade makes an incredible dipping sauce if you reduce it in a small saucepan for two minutes until it thickens slightly.

Return